Models equipped with DCC+Sound will have the new 645E3 20-cylinder prime mover recording by SoundTraxx
The effort continues to enhance Athearn Genesis models per customer requests and feedback. There has been a lot of activity behind the scenes; we’re excited to include new features often requested, to the SD45-2 and upcoming Genesis models.
SPSF FEATURES:
First time offered full SPSF merger “Kodachrome”
Illuminated Stratolite beacon on stand, effect with DCC+Sound
Leslie S3LR air horn on tall bracket
EMD small style snow plow
Sinclair antenna on antenna plane
“Chickenwire” radiator grilles
ATSF style spare knuckles on trucks (engineer’s side)
ATSF FEATURES:
Illuminated Stratolite beacon on stand, effect with DCC+Sound
EMD small style snow plow
Sinclair antenna on antenna plane
Leslie S3LR air horn on tall bracket
Red numberboards
Large anticlimber
Air conditioner
“Chickenwire” radiator grilles
ATSF style spare knuckles on trucks (engineer’s side)
SPSF assigned 7200 series road numbers pre 1986
#7203, 7208, 7213:
Large Anticlimber
#7207:
No Anticlimber
ATSF SD45-2U FEATURES:
First time offered rebuilt 5800 class
Illuminated Stratolite beacon on stand, effect with DCC+Sound
Leslie S3LR air horn on tall bracket
EMD small style snow plow
Sinclair antenna on antenna plane
“Chickenwire” radiator grilles
ATSF style spare knuckles on trucks (engineer’s side)
Different placement and style of CR logos per prototype road number
CSX FEATURES:
EMD large style snow plow
Firecracker antenna
Leslie RS5L horn air horn
Nose mounted headlight
Small anticlimber
“Chickenwire” radiator grilles
CSX EX CRR FEATURES:
Patched per road number, ex- Clinchfield units
Cab mounted headlight
Small anticlimber
Standard height Intertial hatch, exhaust stack, fan housings
Whip radio antenna
Leslie RS5L horn air horn
Long hood mounted bell
#8970:
Underframe painted CSX blue
”Ghosted” Clinchfield lettering on long hood
#8978:
Intact Clinchfield lettering on long hood
Faded / primer paint on fuel tank
CRR FEATURES:
Windwings per prototype
Cab mounted headlight
Small anticlimber
Standard height Intertial hatch, exhaust stack, fan housings
Yellow numberboards
Whip radio antenna
Leslie S3LR air horn
Long hood mounted bell
HATX FEATURES:
Windwings per prototype
Nose mounted headlight
Small anticlimber
Standard height Intertial hatch, exhaust stack, fan housings
Black or white numberboards per prototype
Firecracker or Sinclair antenna per prototype
3-or-5 chime horn per prototype
Frame mounted bell
Commonly used in lease service starting in the late 1980s. Prototype railroads would lease locomotives during power shortages and traffic upturns. These particular units were leased to several eastern roads including Soo Line, Grand Trunk Western and CSX.
LOCOMOTIVE FEATURES:
Safety tread on walkways
Fine-scale handrails for scale appearance
Factory applied wire grab irons
Windshield wipers
See through cab windows
Detailed and painted cab interior
Sliding side cab windows
Metal lift rings
Fully-assembled and ready-to-run
DCC-ready features Quick Plug™ plug-and-play technology with a 21-pin NEM connector
Scaled from prototype resources including drawings, photographs, and more
Accurately painted and printed paint schemes
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
New LEDs for trouble free operation
Bi-directional constant lighting so headlight brightness remains constant
Heavy die-cast frame for greater traction and more pulling power
Packaging securely holds for the model for safe storage
Minimum radius: 18”
Recommended radius: 22”
SOUND EQUIPPED MODELS ALSO FEATURE:
Onboard DCC decoder with SoundTraxx Tsunami2
Sound units operate in both DC and DCC
Some functions are limited in DC
Engine, horn, and bell sounds work in DC
All functions NMRA compatible in DCC mode
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 operators manual
For a complete list of features, visit athearn.com
PROTOTYPE INFO:
The SD45-2 was an initial success; it was a complete improvement or upgrade as part of EMD’s “Dash 2” line; it had little to almost absolutely no flaws during the early stages of production and during the model’s official introduction. It was both popular and compatible with the original SD45 as well, with it’s large 20-cylinder engine. The SD45-2 lasted somewhat longer than most SD45 units on various owners roster’s.