Prototype Information:
Shortly after the Rock Island Bankruptcy in 1980, Missouri Pacific acquired the lease of 50, GP38-2. The units were patched, repainted Dark Eagle Blue, and renumbered into series MP 2275-2299. In later years the units were repainted into UP Armour Yellow.
Model Information:
Athearn will offer 4 numbers.
- MP 2279 – DC Only and DCC/Sound No Spark Arrestors, 1980 Era
- MP 2285 – DC Only and DCC/Sound No Spark Arrestors, 1980 Era
- MP 2251 – DC Only and DCC/Sound Equipped with Spark Arrestors, 1984 Era
- MP 2273 – DC Only and DCC/Sound Equipped with Spark Arrestors, 1984 Era
Athearn MP GP38-2 Features:
- 81” Low nose with ratchet brake and class lights
- Corrugated grilles, close spaced fans, rear number boards,
- rear class lights
- Nathan 5-chime horn
- Standard front and rear anti-climbers with drop step
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) lash-up with lead unit only horn, bell, and lights
- Many functions can be altered via Configuration Value (CV) changes
- CV chart included in the box
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
- MU hoses
- Trainline hose
- See-through cab windows
- Full cab interior • Walkway tread
- Windshield wipers • Lift rings
- Wire grab irons • Sander lines
- DCC-ready features Quick Plug™ plug-and-play technology with 21-pin NEM connector
GENESIS DIESEL LOCOMOTIVE FEATURES:
- 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”
