Introduction

Athearn RTR 1508 HO Scale EMD GP50 Burlington Northern BN 3141 DC

The EMD GP50 is a 4-axle diesel road switcher locomotive built by General Motors Electro-Motive Division between 1980 and 1985. It is powered by a 16-cylinder EMD 645F3B diesel engine, which can produce between 3,500 and 3,600 hp.

A total of 278 examples of this locomotive were built. The GP50 retains the same overall length of 59 feet 2 inches as the other GP dash-2 series locomotives built in the same era. It utilized GMs D87 traction motor enabling it to produce a starting tractive effort of 65,000 pounds, with a continuous rating of 62,400 pounds.

The most significant difference in the GP50 from earlier designs like the GP40 was upgraded components (like a turbocharger silencer and new type of blower housing) and increased horsepower. The locomotive also introduced a new anti-wheel-slip technology where the locomotive horsepower output was reduced if a wheel slip condition was introduced. It also included features already common on earlier models such as dynamic braking (a system for temporarily employing traction motors as generators and using the resulting electromotive force to slow the train), and an airtight hood that kept out dust, dirt and other particles from reaching internal components.

All the companies that purchased the GP50 have now been absorbed into other systems. However, a few of their successors continue to operate the units. A number GP50s have rebuilt for better fuel economy and continue in service today.

FEATURES:

• Factory installed Celcon handrails
• Individually applied wire formed grab irons
• 5-pole motor with precision-machined flywheels and multi-link drive train for trouble free operation
• See-through cab windows
• DCC Ready 21-pin NEM plug
• LED Illuminated front and rear headlights, ditch lights, and beacons (where applicable to the prototype)
• Replacement parts available
• All-wheel drive with precision gears for smooth and quiet operation
• All-wheel electrical pickup provides reliable current flow
• Heavy die-cast frame for greater traction and more pulling power
• Separately-applied horns
• McHenry operating scale knuckle couplers
• DCC Ready 21 pin plug
• Nickel plated, blackened machined wheels machined metal wheels with RP25 contours operate on all popular brand of track
• Fully-assembled and ready-to-run out of the box
• Painted and printed for realistic decoration
• Highly-detailed, injection-molded body
• Minimum radius: 18 Recommended radius: 22
• SoundReady