Now arriving from Athearn Trains are EMD SD59M-2 as part of its premium Genesis 2.0 product line in two different Union Pacific lettering schemes. SD59M-2? What’s that?
Beginning in 2012, the Union Pacific Railroad sent 28 EMD SD60Ms back to Electro-Motive Diesel to be rebuilt as EMD SD59M-2s with low-emission EPA Tier 2 compliant 12-cylinder 710 powerplants. During the rebuild process, these locomotives also received all new control systems, a new crash-resistant 4,500 gallon fuel tank and an all-new large flared radiator section of a design similar to that seen on late-production flared SD70Ms. Designated as SD59MXs on the Union Pacific, these SD59M-2s are assigned to areas where low exhaust emissions are of high importance. With a consistent sparkling appearance compared to other members of the UP motive power fleet, these unique locomotives have become fan favorites to many. Details include see-through stepwell treadplate, separately applied coupler cut levers, flexible rubber MU hoses, etched metal windshield wipers, rooftop PTC array, wire-form grab irons, illuminated LED headlights, ditch lights and ground lights and much more.
Asides from the 9900 series road numbers, the primary spotting feature for SD59MX/SD59M-2s is the flared radiator section on a SD60M chassis. This flared radiator section is similar to that seen on late-production EMD SD70Ms.
Concurrent with this inaugural release of SD59M-2s is a new batch of Genesis 2.0 ”Triclops” SD60Ms for the following roads: BNSF (Heritage 3), Union Pacific (mid-2000s era lightning stripe scheme), SOO Line (Candy Apple Red), CIT Group (ex-BN lease), and Web Asset Management (WAMX ex-UP). DC+DCC ready silent models are $249.99 MSRP, while DC+DCC+Sound versions with Soundtraxx Tsunami2 sound are $349.99 MSRP. Now available at your favorite hobby retailer while supplies last.
Athearn • 2904 Research Road • Champaign, Illinois 61822 • www.athearn.com
All SD59M-2s are equipped with the latest PTC hardware on top of the cab roof as replicated here on this Athearn Genesis model.
