Athearn Genesis HO Scale Union Pacific UP #2738 EMD GP39-2 DCC Ready Locomotive

Recreate Union Pacific Railroad diesel operations with the Athearn Genesis HO Scale UP #2738 EMD GP39-2 Phase I locomotive. This detailed four-axle road switcher represents a former Delaware & Hudson locomotive that entered Union Pacific service during the late 1990s, retaining distinctive body features from its original railroad while incorporating modifications for its new owner.

Designed for conventional DC operation with the flexibility to install a digital decoder, UP #2738 is DCC Ready with a 21-pin NEM Quick Plug interface. Its newly tooled D&H-style walkway and fuel tank, tall front ditch lights, Nathan 5-chime horn, and large Sinclair antenna make it a distinctive choice for model railroaders building an accurate Union Pacific locomotive roster.

Explore additional HO scale locomotives to expand your diesel motive power fleet.

From Delaware & Hudson to Union Pacific

Union Pacific acquired a group of former Delaware & Hudson 7601-series EMD GP39-2 locomotives during the late 1990s to supplement its fleet of reliable four-axle road switchers.

Originally constructed during the 1970s, these locomotives featured a distinctive walkway and fuel tank arrangement that differed from many other GP39-2 models. Their original Delaware & Hudson specifications remained visible even after the locomotives entered Union Pacific service.

Following their acquisition, Union Pacific added equipment such as tall front-mounted ditch lights while retaining many of the locomotives' original exterior characteristics. The former D&H GP39-2 fleet remained in Union Pacific service until being sold to other operators by the mid-2010s.

Athearn Genesis reproduces UP #2738 with an early Phase I body and newly tooled Delaware & Hudson-style components, capturing the appearance of this unusual Union Pacific locomotive.

Union Pacific UP #2738 Road-Specific Features

• Authentic Union Pacific Railroad paint and lettering
• Early Phase I EMD GP39-2 locomotive body
• Former Delaware & Hudson locomotive design
• Newly tooled D&H-style walkway and fuel tank
• Tall front-mounted ditch lights
• Small EMD front plow
• Nathan 5-chime locomotive horn
• Large Sinclair radio antenna
• Prototype-appropriate fuel tank and underbody equipment
• Illuminated locomotive number boards
• Detailed Blomberg trucks

DCC Ready with 21-Pin NEM Decoder Interface

The Athearn Genesis GP39-2 Union Pacific #2738 includes Athearn's Quick Plug decoder interface with a 21-pin NEM connector for compatible aftermarket DCC decoder installation.

This locomotive operates on conventional DC power as supplied and does not include a factory-installed sound decoder or speakers. It is ideal for model railroaders who prefer traditional DC operation or want to select their own digital decoder for future conversion.

• Factory DCC Ready configuration
• Conventional DC operation out of the box
• 21-pin NEM Quick Plug decoder connector
• Compatible with appropriately selected aftermarket DCC decoders
• Factory-installed LED locomotive lighting
• Illuminated number boards
• No factory-installed sound decoder or speakers

Browse additional HO scale diesel locomotives to compare available DC, DCC Ready, and DCC/Sound locomotive models.

Athearn Genesis Drivetrain and Detailed Construction

The Genesis GP39-2 combines precision mechanical engineering with extensive factory-installed details for realistic HO scale model railroad operations.

A five-pole skew-wound motor, precision-machined flywheels, and multi-link drivetrain help provide smooth locomotive performance, while all-wheel drive and electrical pickup maintain dependable traction and current collection.

A heavy die-cast frame adds weight for pulling freight cars, and RP25 wheel contours provide compatibility with popular HO scale track systems.

• HO scale 1:87 construction
• Five-pole skew-wound motor
• Precision-machined flywheels
• Multi-link all-wheel-drive drivetrain
• All-wheel electrical pickup
• Heavy die-cast chassis
• Factory-installed wire grab irons and lift rings
• Detailed windshield wipers
• Fine-scale Celcon handrails
• Etched metal fan grilles
• See-through cab windows with detailed interior
• Detailed walkway tread and drop steps
• Fuel tank fillers, gauges, and breather pipes
• Trainline hoses, MU hoses, and coupler cut levers
• Detailed Blomberg trucks
• Body-mounted McHenry knuckle couplers compatible with Kadee couplers
• RP25 wheel contours
• Minimum recommended operating radius of 18 inches

Model Union Pacific Local Freight and Switching Operations

The EMD GP39-2 is well suited for HO scale layouts depicting Union Pacific local freight movements, industrial switching, yard transfers, and other assignments requiring versatile four-axle diesel power.

UP #2738 is especially appealing to model railroaders interested in locomotives that changed ownership throughout their service lives. Its original Delaware & Hudson body configuration and Union Pacific modifications provide an interesting variation within a modern diesel locomotive fleet.

The model is particularly appropriate for layouts representing Union Pacific operations from the late 1990s into the early 2010s.

Discover more road numbers and configurations in our Athearn Genesis HO Scale EMD GP39-2 locomotives collection.

Athearn Genesis Union Pacific GP39-2 #2738 Specifications

• Brand: Athearn Genesis
• SKU: ATHG-1971
• Scale: HO Scale (1:87)
• Locomotive Model: EMD GP39-2
• Railroad: Union Pacific Railroad
• Reporting Mark: UP
• Road Number: 2738
• Original Railroad: Delaware & Hudson
• Body: Early Phase I
• Walkway: D&H Style
• Fuel Tank: D&H Style
• Horn: Nathan 5-Chime
• Antenna: Large Sinclair
• Ditch Lights: Tall Front-Mounted
• Control: DC / DCC Ready
• Decoder Interface: Quick Plug 21-Pin NEM
• Factory Sound: Not Equipped
• Lighting: LED
• Wheel Arrangement: B-B
• Trucks: Blomberg
• Minimum Radius: 18 Inches
• Era: Late 1990s–Mid-2010s

Shop Athearn Genesis HO Scale GP39-2 Locomotives at Train Supply

Add the Athearn Genesis EMD GP39-2 Union Pacific UP #2738 DCC Ready locomotive to your model railroad fleet. Browse our complete selection of HO scale model trains, diesel locomotives, freight cars, track, and railroad accessories at Train Supply.