Athearn Genesis HO Norfolk Southern #6986 HO SD60E

SD60E SERIES LOCOMOTIVE FEATURES:
Coupler cut levers with loops
Flexible Trainline and MU hoses
MU stands
Walkway safety tread
Windshield wipers
Lift rings
Wire grab irons
Sanding lines
Sunshades
Anticlimbers
Rounded or rectangular cab windows per prototype
Clear or tinted cab windows as appropriate
Anti-glare panel painted on the nose
Lit numberboards
Lit ground lights above front trucks
Illuminated deck mounted ditchlights front and rear
Long hood mounted Nathan 5-chime air horn
Step wells with separately-applied individual see-through photo-etch steps
See-through radiator fans
Underframe mounted E-bell
HTC trucks with Timken bearings
See-through cab windows
Detailed and painted cab interior
Fine-scale Celcon handrails for scale appearance
McHenry® scale knuckle couplers - Kadee® compatible
DCC-ready features Quick Plug™ plug-and-play technology with 21-pin connector
Scaled from prototype resources including drawings, field measurements, photographs, and more
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
Bidirectional constant lighting so headlight brightness remains constant
Heavy die-cast frame for greater traction and more pulling power
Minimum radius: 18” Recommended radius 22”

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
Engine, horn, and bell sounds work in DC
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

PROTOTYPE AND BACKGROUND INFO:

In 1984, EMD unveiled the first four SD60 demonstrator locomotives. The SD60 was equipped with a 3,800 horsepower, 16 cylinder, turbocharged 710G3A Beginning in early 2010, NS SD60 #6653 entered the Juniata shops in Altoona, PA as what would be the first of 240 planned units of the SD60E Capital Rebuild Program for Norfolk Southern. Following in August the same year, SD60s #6567 & #6576 were retired and destined for the SD60E program that was planned to continue through 2019. Mechanically, the original prime mover, a 16-cylinder 710G3, remained but was thoroughly rebuilt to 710G3B specs and rerated to 4,000 horsepower. The original shaft-driven air compressor was replaced with a new motor-driven compressor. All-new electrical cabinets and wiring coupled with EMD’s EM2000 microprocessor controls was installed, along with D99BTR traction motors. A new split-cooling system helps the SD60E meet Tier 0+ emission requirements and reduce fuel consumption by an estimated 5% as compared to an older SD60 model. The SD60E’s tractive effort is rated at 109,000 pounds while an un-rebuilt SD60 is rated at 96,320-100,000 pounds.

Externally while most of the SD60’s carbody remained intact, the program included the installation of a completely new cab, offering crews better crash protec- tion. The original SD60 cab weighs 3,800 pounds compared to 12,500 pounds for the new cab. A more spacious work environment is available with the new cab of the SD60E. This cab was designed by NS with input from outside consultants and train crews. Fabricated by Curry Railroad Supply, a local vendor, it looks unlike anything else on U.S. rails with its pronounced numberboard/headlight housing and flat front with a centered cab door.

The first unit was finally released for service on November 15, 2010, carrying road number 6900. In March 2011, 6901 was released, followed by 6902 in June of that year. These three units gave NS mechanical personnel valuable feedback as the units toured the system, enduring “real life” testing.

In March 2012, the fourth SD60E emerged from Juniata as one of the 12 units initially funded for the program. But the pace of the remanufacturing process picked up as initial teething problems were addressed. The units soon met the carrier’s expectations and began entering revenue service on a regular basis.