Athearn Genesis G65203 HO Scale SD60E (Juniata Shops Rebuild) Norfolk Southern NS #6952

Introduction

Athearn Genesis G65203 HO Scale SD60E (Juniata Shops Rebuild) Norfolk Southern NS #6952

Roadnumber Specific Details for #6906, #6939, and #6952:

• NS built 4000 gallon fuel tank
• Roof mounted sinclair antennas
• NS designed snow plow
• Different cab panel louver arrangement per prototype

Model Features:

• Fully-assembled and ready-to-run
• LED lighting including:
  -Headlights
  -Illuminated deck mounted ditchlights front and rear
  -Numberboards
  -Ground lights above front trucks
• Long hood mounted Nathan 5-chime air horn
• Sunshades
  Rounded or rectangular cab windows per prototype
• Flexible rubber multiple unit (MU) hoses with silver glad hands
• Flexible rubber front and rear trainline air hose with silver glad
  hands
• Step wells feature seperately applied individual see through
  photo-etch steps
• Coupler cut levers with loops
• Anticlimbers
• Safety tread on the walkways
• Anti-glare panel painted on the nose
• Factory applied photo-etch windshield wipers & lift rings
• See through and tinted cab windows
• Detailed and painted cab interior with control stand, display
  screens, detailed crew seats
• See-through radiator fans
• Factory installed wire grab irons
• Fine-scale handrails for scale appearance
• Underframe mounted E-bell
• HT-C trucks with Timken bearings
• DCC-ready features Quick Plug plug-and-play technology with
  21-pin connector
• McHenry scale knuckle spring couplers
• 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 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
• Bidirectional constant lighting so headlight brightness remains
  constant
• Heavy die-cast frame for greater traction and more pulling power
• Packaging securely holds for the model for safe storage
• Minimum radius: 18
• Recommended radius: 22

Prototype Information: Beginning in early 2010, NS 6653 entered Juniata shop for 240 units planned through 2019. In August 2010, two SD60s
(6567 and 6576) were retired and ear-marked for the SD60E
program. Mechanically, the original prime mover, a 16-cylinder
710G3 model remained, but it was thoroughly rebuilt to 710G3B
specs and rerated to 4,000 horsepower. The original shaftdriven
air compressor was replaced with a new motor-driven
compressor. All-new electrical cabinets and wiring, coupled with
EMDs EM2000 microprocessor controls, were installed, along
with D99BTR traction motors. A new split-cooling system helps
the SD60E meet Tier 0+ emissions requirements and reduce
fuel consumption by an estimated 5 percent as compared to
an older SD60 model. The SD60Es tractive effort is rated at
109,000 pounds unrebuilt SD60s are rated at 96,320-100,000
pounds.

Externally while most of the SD60s carbody remained intact
during the remanufacturing process, the program included
installation of a completely new cab. Offering crews more
protection the original SD60 cab weighs 3,800 pounds versus
12,500 pounds for the new cab as well as a spacious work
environment, the cab 59 square feet versus 74 square feet
in the SD60E 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 carriers expectations
and began entering revenue service on a regular basis.
(From: Diesel Era Vol. 25 #5 Sept/Oct 2014)