PROTOTYPE SPECIFIC INFORMATION

By the early 1970s, many first generation diesels were reaching the end of their service lives. The most common replacement locomotive became the GP38-2. EMD began production of the 16-cylinder, non-turbocharged, 2000 horsepower engine in 1972. Unlike the GP38’s engine, which drove a generator to supply power to the traction motors, the GP38-2s prime mover drove an alternator which produced AC electrical current that was rectified to DC to power the four traction motors. Another major change for the GP38-2 was the introduction of the “dash 2” modular electrical cabinet. For more than 40 years, the GP38- 2 has worked main line freights, locals, switching jobs, yard service, helpers, snow fighting trains, and hump power. Many remain in service today.

GP38-2 SERIES LOCOMOTIVE NEW FEATURES:

• Operating Class Lights (Where equipped based on prototype)
• Operating Number boards (Where equipped based on prototype)

GENESIS DIESEL LOCOMOTIVE FEATURES:

• Coupler cut levers
• Trainline hose
• Full cab interior
• Windshield wipers
• Wire grab irons
• MU hoses
• See-through cab windows
• Walkway tread
• Lift rings
•  Sander lines
• DCC-ready features Quick Plug plug-and-play technology with 21-pin NEM connector
• Fine-scale Celcon handrails for scale appearance
• Detailed fuel tank with fuel fillers, fuel gauges, & breather pipes
• Body-mounted McHenry operating scale knuckle couplers
• Genesis driveline with 5-pole skew wound motor, precision machined flywheels, and multi-link drivetrain for trouble free operation
• All-wheel drive with precision gears for smooth and quiet operation
• All-wheel electrical pickup provides reliable current flow
• Wheels with RP25 contours operate on all popular brands of track
• LED Lighting for trouble free operation
• Heavy die-cast frame for greater traction and more pulling power
• Scaled from prototype resources including drawings, field measurements, photographs, and more
• Accurately-painted and –printed paint schemes
• Packaging securely holds the model for safe storage
• Minimum radius: 18”

SOUND-EQUIPPED MODELS ALSO FEATURE

• Onboard DCC decoder with SoundTraxx Tsunami2 sound
• Dual cube speakers for optimal sound quality
• Sound units operate in both DC and DCC
• Full DCC functions available when operated in DCC mode
• All functions NMRA compatible in DCC mode
• Precision slow speed control
• Program a multiple unit (MU) lashup with lead unit only horn, bell, and lights
• Many functions can be altered via Configuration Value (CV) changes
• CV chart included in the box

PRIMED FOR GRIME MODELS FEATURE

• Duplicated look and feel of “In Service” equipment
• Faded base colors matched to the prototype
• Perfect starting point for adding grime and rust

Conrail

Conrail operated one of the largest fleets of EMD GP38-2 locomotives in North America, rostering a total of 338 units during its history. The first 223 GP38-2s were originally purchased by the Penn Central between 1972 and 1973 and were transferred directly to Conrail upon its formation in April 1976. Numbered 7940–8162, these early-production locomotives featured an 81-inch low short hood, wire-mesh radiator grilles, and were delivered without anti-climbers, making them readily distinguishable from later GP38-2 production. The GP38-2 became one of Conrail’s most versatile locomotive classes. These four-axle road switchers handled a wide range of assignments, including local freight service, road switching, transfer runs, yard switching, and branch line operations throughout the Conrail system. Their reliability and operational flexibility made them indispensable workhorses.

CR FEATURES:

• 81” Low nose with ratchet brake and marker lights
• Chicken wire grilles, close spaced fans, rear number boards, rear marker lights
• Dynamic brake hatch, standard range
• Standard front and rear anticlimbers with drop step
• 2600 gallon fuel tank
• Red marker lights

ROAD NUMBER SPECIFIC FEATURES:

• #7990 Leslie 3-chime horn (low profile manifold)
• #7997 Leslie 3-chime horn (low profile manifold)
• #7998 Leslie 3-chime horn (standard manifold)

Looking for more Athearn EMD (Electro-Motive Division) GP-38 Diesel Locomotives? Click here!