By Harry K. Wong

On a recent webcast on YouTube, Jon Stackpole and Jim Wiggin of Athearn gave a peek behind their development curtain for several upcoming locomotive releases for their HO scale RTR and premium-level Genesis 2.0 product offerings.

CAD drawings were shown of their pending Genesis 2.0 General Electric AC4400CWs in a multitude of variations.  An upgraded EMD SW1500 was also revealed for the RTR line with new near-Genesis-level features including an all-new motor, optional Tsunami2 sound with sugar cube speaker and full LED lighting including ground lights underneath the cab. Additional versions of the EMD SD60M family were also unveiled, including models of UP’s unique Tier 3 compliant SD59MXs (also known as SD59M-2s or SD32ECOs) with flared radiators, and modernized SD60Ms with electronic hand brake details. Road names, pricing and availability dates have yet to be officially announced for these models currently in development.

Athearn • 2904 Research Road • Champaign, Illinois 61822 • www.athearn.com

Athearn Ready-to-Run HO scale EMD SW1500. Development CAD drawing subject to further revision.

Athearn Genesis 2.0 HO scale Quebec Cartier Mining AC4400. Development CAD drawing subject to further revision.