Athearn Genesis G66261 HO EMD GP39-2 Portland & Western PNWR 2304

In the decade between 1974 and 1984, EMD produced the GP39-2 for seven North American railroads. The basic design followed most four axle road diesel switchers for the time. Borrowing improvements from the GP38-2 and GP40-2 designs, this mid-horsepower road switcher utilized a turbocharged 12-cylinder EMD 645E3 diesel engine for its prime mover. With 4 fewer cylinders, the smaller engine provided a distinctive long hood on the phase II and phase III bodies, where the clean room/engine compartment doors were set back from the cab further than predecessor locomotives.

Sensitivity to fuel economy in the 1970s justified the GP39-2 in the locomotive market. It also laid the ground work for EMD to start exploring locomotive designs that utilize engines with larger piston displacement yet possess fewer cylinders. This approach has become the foundation to modern locomotive technology.

The Portland and Western was founded in 1995 taking over former Southern Pacific branch lines in Oregon. It operates a combined 516 miles of track throughout the state and is part of the large Genesee & Wyoming Railroad group. The PNWR also has a subsidiary, the Willamette and Pacific. The WPRR motive power can be seen on PNWR trains as they were used anywhere on the system as needed. Major transported commodities pertain to the lumber industry, but also include many other goods. They operate many older EMD locomotives, some dating back to the 1950s! The ex-Santa Fe GP39-2’s become a favorite on the railroad, with a few still painted in Santa Fe colors.

FEATURES:

• Ex-ATSF
• Early Phase 1 body
• Front and rear ditch lights
• Illuminated number boards
• Nathan 3-chime horn
• Removed class lights
• Small EMD front plow
• Large front anticlimber
• “Switcher” style walkway steps
• Blomberg M trucks
• Road number specific antenna placement
• #2304
• Genesee and Wyoming corporate scheme “Corvallis”
• Xenon beacon (effect in DCC mode)
• Unique white logo on nose, cab mounted headlights
• Alternate flashing ditch lights (effect in DCC mode)
• Standard bell
• Coupler cut levers
• Trainline and MU hoses
• Drop steps unless noted
• MU stands
• Windshield wipers
• Lift rings
• Wire grab irons
• Walkway tread
• Sanding lines
• Lit number boards
• Lit class lights, if equipped
• Lit signal lights and/or beacons, if equipped
• Bell placement & type per prototype
• Detailed fuel tank with fuel fillers, fuel gauges, and breather pipes
• Blomberg-B or Blomberg-M trucks with appropriate bearing caps
• Speed recorder unless noted
• See-through cab windows and full cab interior
• Fine-scale Celcon handrails for scale appearance
• Etched metal fan grilles
• Air tanks mounted below sill unless noted
• Body-mounted McHenry® scale knuckle couplers – Kadee® compatible
• DCC-ready features Quick Plug™ plug-and-play technology with 21-pin NEM connector
• Scaled from prototype resources including drawings, field measurements, photographs, and more
• Accurately painted and printed paint schemes
• Genesis driveline with 5-pole skew wound motor, precision machined flywheels, and multi-link drivetrain
• All-wheel drive with precision gears for smooth & quiet operation
• All-wheel electrical pickup provides reliable current flow
• Wheels with RP25 contours operate on all popular brands of track
• LED Lighting for realistic appearance
• Heavy die-cast frame for greater traction and more pulling power
• Packaging securely holds for the model for safe storage
• Minimum radius: 18”

SPECIFICATIONS:

• DCC: Ready/21-Pin NEM
• SOUND: Ready
• PROTOTYPE MANUFACTURER: EMD
• Axles: 4
• LIGHTED: LED Lighting
• Minimum Age Recommendation: 14 years
• Is Assembly Required: No