Train Tuesday 7 2 24 Introducing the new Athearn Genesis EMD SD50 in HO

EMD introduced the new 3,500 horsepower SD50 in May of 1981 as part of their planned “50 Series”. The SD50 was, in essence, a transition model of the 1970s era Dash 2 series of locomotive. The microprocessor-equipped SD60 and SD70 would continue through the end of the 1980s and into the 1990s.
The SD50 was originally produced by EMD as an immediate response to General Electric’s Dash 7 line of locomotives, which were becoming more
favorable with current roads--providing more competition for EMD. While EMD’s current SD40-2 model provided a reliable locomotive for most class 1 railroads at the time, GE Transportation was gaining more inroads with the 3,600hp Dash 7s. The Dash 7s boasted more modern technology and GE Transportation was providing competitive financing and maintenance programs to assist purchasers of their offerings. While EMD’s SD45 and SD45-2s with their 3,600 horsepower- were successful, the large 20-cylinder engines were not fuel-efficient. This lack of efficiency- alongside reported issues of early reliability-caused many railroads to rethink their motive power support. This was further magnified in the 1970s when the fuel crisis impacted general transportation as well as the railroad industry.
In May of 1981, EMD unveiled the new SD50 which would feature an updated version of the V16 645 from the venerable SD40-2, upgraded to 3,500hp at 900rpm. The SD50 had a longer frame and much longer long hood than its predecessors. Other improvements came in the way of moving the dynamic brake resistors for the dynamic brake grid from the traditional location above the prime mover to a cooler temperature location in front of the engine compartment air intakes, closer to the electrical switchgear. This, in turn, separated them from other systems, resulting in simplified maintenance for both the prime mover as well as the electrical system.
In all, nine class 1 and one international railroad ordered the EMD SD50 including; Baltimore and Ohio (Chessie System), 20 unit numbers 8576
- 8595; Chicago & Northwestern, 35 unit numbers 7000 - 7034; Chesapeake & Ohio (Chessie System), 43 unit numbers 8553 - 8575 and 8624 - 8643; Conrail, 135 unit numbers 6700 - 6834; Denver & Rio Grande Western, 17 unit number 5501 - 5517; Kansas City Southern, 10 unit numbers 704 - 713; Missouri Pacific, 60 unit numbers 5000 - 5059; Seaboard System, 81 unit numbers 8500 - 8552 and 8596 - 8623; Norfolk Southern, 20 unit numbers 6506 - 6525 and 5 units were built for export to Australia for the Hamersly Iron railroad. A grand total of 426 units were produced when production ceased in Feb of 1986.
The Athearn Genesis SD50 fills a void for the modeler of the 1980s and 1990s and is a direct response to the requests we have received over the
years. The model will feature Genesis-level detailing such as a detailed cab interior, truck side frames with animated Timken or static Hyatt bearings,
LED headlights, operating class-lights (where applicable), operating ditch lights (where applicable), operating number boards, operating ground lights, prototype specific antennas, horns, bells, and other road name-specific spotting features. The Athearn Genesis SD50 will also serve to fill the void between the Dash 2 models of the late 1970s and the modern microprocessor locomotives of the later 20th Century and beyond.
See the Athearn Genesis SD50 PDF Announcement here: www.athearn.com/on/demandware...
See the roads offered for this run here: www.athearn.com/search?q=HO_S...

[@ronaldbrooks5982]

Just tuned in, Happy 4th, Happy Birthday America.

[@AthearnModelTrains]

Happy 4th!

[@dm6365dm]

the SD50 was the best thing to happen to G.E... I think the Chessie paint job was up there with the Santa Fe red & silver!

[@AthearnModelTrains]

That Chessie paint was hot!

[@clearlycaribbeanreb2895]

Hopefully, these run better than the real SD50’s did! Lol

[@AthearnModelTrains]

With the established Athearn Genesis drive train, there should be no issues.

[@cp368productions2]

Dang two of those CSX SD50s are on my list of locomotives to model. At least it will be a while before they actually are out.

[@AthearnModelTrains]

Current ETA is November of 2025, that gives us a bit.

[@SPSteve]

I'd like to see a Genesis GP35 or GP40 in the Chessie paint.

[@AthearnModelTrains]

Who knows, it could happen some day.

[@SPSteve]

@@AthearnModelTrains sounds good! A red and white SOO would be nice as well. I need some foreign power for my layout.

[@michaelfedora5630]

Very nice tonight Jim

[@AthearnModelTrains]

Thank you, it is an Athearn team effort. ~ Jim

[@jackal119]

If I didn't already get the SD70 #5615 in Rio Grande paint that SD50 would be my pick, but that Chessie paint looks outstanding. Any word on those GP50? seems like it should have been out already but website shows the date been changed again. My SD70 NS #2548 needs its buddy. Bad enough I am still holding out for one of those GP15T in Rio Grande paint as well.

[@AthearnModelTrains]

We are trying to get the Athearn GP50s here by September of this year, GP15Ts will be late fall of this year.

[@30yrsengr41]

Still hoping for early seaboard system 8500s with the strobe lights and the nose headlight

[@AthearnModelTrains]

Send us a request at [e-mail]

[@nathanpope7613]

What year are you guys releasing the athearn genesis sd40-2 for connecticut southern

[@AthearnModelTrains]

We don't have a date for that prototype.

[@RFMCabooseNP1713]

Cool.

[@AthearnModelTrains]

Yes the SD50 is definitely cool.

[@atsfandy]

Hello Jim

[@AthearnModelTrains]

Greetings! ~ Jim

[@amyreynolds3619]

What about Waycross Shops?

[@AthearnModelTrains]

Not in this run.

[@havingoodtime]

Wish Athearn would make CSX engines painted in the just grey scheme would not matter to me if it was Genesis or in the Athearn line. Plus wish you would bring back Dummy engines.

[@AthearnModelTrains]

We announced early all gray CSX GP40-2s with new tooling for the slug mothers back in February of 2023, they are due to arrive in mid to late fall of this year: www.athearn.com/product/ho-gp40-2-locomotive-csxt-6429/ATHG64829.html We have no current plans to bring back unpowered dummy locomotives at this time.

[@havingoodtime]

@@AthearnModelTrains Thanks for letting me know, guess I will have to save up so I can get 1.

[@braytinfriedman8870]

Where's the updated CSX versions

[@AthearnModelTrains]

We talk about the 1991 era CSX units at 10:05.

[@braytinfriedman8870]

@@AthearnModelTrains I'm talking about the bright future blue versions

[@donniehorton7367]

Hello Jim

[@AthearnModelTrains]

Hello Donnie! ~ Jim