Athearn HO 71500 SD39, Southern Pacific #5298

Primed For Grime

In 1966, EMD updated its locomotive catalog with entirely new models, all powered by the new 645 diesel engine. The SD39 had 2,300 hp from a turbocharged V12. The SD39 had the smallest prime mover of the SD locomotives in the EMD catalog. 54 were built for American railroads.

By the end of the SP in the mid 90s, a small handful of SD39’s were used around the LA area, known as “LA Basin Haulers”. They were used for heavy switching duties between Long Beach and West Colton, sometimes venturing off to other areas. Two of the numbers offered (5296 and 5298) were renumbered units to avoid conflict with similar numbered Rio Grande SD45’s. They were assigned UP numbers, but were all retired before they could be renumbered. All 3 numbers feature unique faded paint and lettering effect per unit number, working beacon with DCC, large ballast boxes, removed gyralights, modified L-Window cab, rear brake wheel, roof mounted bell, large front plow, and P-3 horn.

ROAD NUMBER SPECIFIC FEATURES:
#5296
Ex-SP #5315
Hi-brake mounted trucks
Early inertial grills
Faded to red lettering effect
Patched numbers

#5298
Ex-SP #5317
Hi/low brake mounted trucks
Late inertial grills
Faded white lettering effect
Patched numbers

#5316
Still in it’s original number
Hi-brake mounted trucks
Late inertial grills
Faded white to red lettering effect

FEATURES:
Separately applied air tanks
Coupler cut levers
Rubber MU hoses
Photo-etch stainless steel windshield wipers
Fine scale handrails
Non-sound version features 21-pin NEM DCC plug
See-through dynamic brake and radiator fans
Curved radiator fan grab iron
Exhaust stack
Frame-mounted bell (unless noted)
Detailed 4,000 gallon fuel tank (unless different capacity is noted)
Flexicoil-C trucks with high or low brake cylinders (per prototype)
McHenry scale knuckle spring couplers
See-through cab windows
Bi-directional LED lighting
All-wheel drive with precision gears for smooth and quiet operation
All-wheel electrical pickup
5-pole motor with flywheels and multi-link drivetrain for trouble-free operation
Wheels with RP25 contours operate on all popular brands of track
Painted and printed for realistic decoration
Highly-detailed, injection molded body
Minimum radius: 18″
Recommended radius: 22″

PRIMED FOR GRIME MODELS FEATURE:
Duplicated look and feel of “In Service” equipment
Faded base colors matched to the prototype
Perfect starting point for adding grime and rust