Athearn Genesis HO GEN GP38-2 Locomotive, UP 'GP38N' #796
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Athearn Genesis - Item No. ATHG-3384
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Athearn Genesis HO GEN GP38-2 Locomotive, UP 'GP38N' #796

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Union Pacific’s GP38N locomotives are modernized versions of the EMD GP38-2, rebuilt with computerized control systems, microprocessor-based electronics, and other reliability upgrades. Rather than being newly constructed, these locomotives originated primarily from GP38-2s inherited through predecessor railroads that became part of the Union Pacific system. Many were acquired through the railroad’s major mergers with the Missouri Pacific (MP), Denver & Rio Grande Western (D&RGW), and Southern Pacific (SP). The “N” designation identifies locomotives that have been modernized with contemporary electronic control systems and other technological improvements while retaining their original 2,000-horsepower EMD 645 diesel engine and proven mechanical components. These upgrades enhance reliability, diagnostics, and operating efficiency, extending the service life of the locomotives. Today, Union Pacific GP38N locomotives are assigned primarily to yard switching, transfer service, local freight operations, and other duties where dependable low-speed performance is more important than high-speed mainline operation. Their combination of proven GP38-2 design and modern technology makes them valuable workhorses across Union Pacific’s network.

PROTOTYPE AND BACKGROUND INFO:

By the early 1970s, many first generation diesels were reaching the end of their service lives. The most common replacement locomotive became the GP38-2. EMD began production of the 16-cylinder, non-turbocharged, 2000 horsepower engine in 1972. Unlike the GP38’s engine, which drove a generator to supply power to the traction motors, the GP38-2s prime mover drove an alternator which produced AC electrical current that was rectified to DC to power the four traction motors. Another major change for the GP38-2 was the introduction of the “dash 2” modular electrical cabinet. For more than 40 years, the GP38-2 has worked main line freights, locals, switching jobs, yard service, helpers, snow fighting trains, and hump power. Many remain in service today

MODEL FEATURES:

  • DCC-ready features Quick Plug™ plug-and-play technology with 21-pin NEM connector
  • Detailed fuel tank with fuel fillers, fuel gauges, & breather pipes
  • Genesis driveline with 5-pole skew wound motor, precision machined flywheels, and multi-link drivetrain for trouble free operation
  • Wheels with RP25 contours operate on all popular brands of track
  • Heavy die-cast frame for greater traction and more pulling power
  • Accurately-painted and –printed paint schemes
  • Minimum radius: 18”
  • Trainline hose
  • Windshield wipers
  • MU hoses
  • Sander lines
  • Fine-scale Celcon handrails for scale appearance
  • Body-mounted McHenry® operating scale knuckle couplers
  • All-wheel electrical pickup provides reliable current flow
  • LED Lighting for trouble free operation
  • Scaled from prototype resources including drawings, field measurements, photographs, and more
  • Packaging securely holds the model for safe storage
  • Coupler cut levers
  • Full cab interior
  • Wire grab irons
  • See-through cab windows
  • Walkway tread
  • Lift rings

GP38-2 SERIES LOCOMOTIVE NEW FEATURES:

  • Operating Class Lights (Where equipped based on prototype)
  • Operating Number boards (Where equipped based on prototype)

SOUND-EQUIPPED MODELS ALSO FEATURE:

  • Onboard DCC decoder with SoundTraxx Tsunami2 sound
  • Dual cube speakers for optimal sound quality
  • Sound units operate in both DC and DCC
  • Full DCC functions available when operated in DCC mode
  • All functions NMRA compatible in DCC mode
  • Precision slow speed control
  • Program a multiple unit (MU) lashup with lead unit only horn, bell, and lights
  • Many functions can be altered via Configuration Value (CV) changes
  • CV chart included in the box

PRIMED FOR GRIME MODELS FEATURE:

  • Duplicated look and feel of “In Service” equipment
  • Perfect starting point for adding grime and rust
  • Faded base colors matched to the prototype

ROAD NUMBER SPECIFIC FEATURES:

  • #2026: Ex-NS, Nathan 5-chime horn
  • #2010: Ex-NS, Nathan 5-chime horn
  • #2011: Ex-NS, Nathan 5-chime horn
  • #2017: Ex-NS, Ex-PC, Leslie 3-chime Horn
  • #675: Short ground plane for Sinclair antenna (NEW TOOLING!), Nathan 3-chime horn on triangular bracket
  • #726: Nathan 3-chime horn on square bracket
  • #796: Tall ground plane for Sinclair antenna (NEW TOOLING!), Nathan 3-chime horn (no bracket)
  • #2279: Non-dynamic bake hatch, no spark arrestors
  • #2285: Non-dynamic bake hatch, no spark arrestors
  • #2251: Non-dynamic brake hatch with four spark arrestors
  • #2273: Non-dynamic brake hatch with four spark arrestors
  • #2532: Ex-SCL, dynamic brake hatch (standard range), Leslie 5-chime horn, 3200-gallon fuel tank
  • #2537: Ex-SCL, dynamic brake hatch (standard range), Leslie 3-chime horn, 3200-gallon fuel tank
  • #2626: Ex-LN, dynamic brake hatch, (extended range), Leslie 5-chime horn, 2600-gallon fuel tank
  • #2649: Ex-LN, dynamic brake hatch, (extended range), Leslie 5-chime horn, 2600-gallon fuel tank
  • #7990: Leslie 3-chime horn (low profile manifold)
  • #7997: Leslie 3-chime horn (low profile manifold)
  • #7998: Leslie 3-chime horn (standard manifold)
  • #4403: 88” Nose, corrugated grilles, rear number boards, blanked rear class lights, non-dynamic brake hatch (late - angled box), large front anticlimber (no drop step)
  • #4418: 88” Nose, corrugated grilles, rear number boards, blanked rear class lights, non-dynamic brake hatch (late - angled box), large front anticlimber (no drop step)
  • #4515: Ex-MILW, 81” Nose, chicken wire grilles, no rear number boards, no rear class lights, dynamic brake hatch (standard range), standard front and rear anticlimbers with drop step
  • #7319: Blue with yellow nose, Leslie 3-chime horn (low profile manifold)
  • #7320: Blue with yellow nose, Leslie 3-chime horn (low profile manifold)
  • #7321: Blue with yellow “tiger stripes” on front and rear, Leslie 3-chime horn (standard manifold)
  • #201: Non-dynamic brake hatch, Nathan 5-chime horn, Jay L. Wulfson lettering on cab
  • #202: Non-dynamic brake hatch, Nathan 5-chime horn, 2022 Short Line of the Year logo on battery boxes, George D. Aiken lettering on cab
  • #208: Dynamic brake hatch (standard range), Nathan 3-chime horn, Harold T. Filskov lettering on cab

RBMN FEATURES:

  • 81” Nose with ratchet brake, no class lights
  • Chicken wire grilles, close spaced fans, rear number boards, blanked rear class lights
  • Dynamic brake hatch, extended range
  • Standard front and rear anticlimbers with drop step

UP FEATURES:

  • 88” Nose with ratchet Brake, no class lights
  • Corrugated grilles, Q fans, rear number boards
  • Non-dynamic brake hatch, late (angled box)
  • Large front anticlimber (no drop step)
  • Dual flashing strobes, positioned per prototype
  • 3600 gallon fuel tank

MP FEATURES:

  • 81” Low nose with ratchet brake and class lights
  • Corrugated grilles, close spaced fans, rear number boards, rear class lights
  • Nathan 5-chime horn
  • Standard front and rear anticlimbers with drop step

CNW FEATURES:

  • 88” nose with ratchet brake and class lights
  • Corrugated grilles, close spaced fans, rear number boards, rear class lights
  • Non-dynamic brake hatch
  • Nathan 5-chime horn
  • Large front anticlimber, (no drop step)
  • 3600 gallon fuel tank

CSXT FEATURES:

  • 81” Nose with ratchet brake and headlight
  • Chicken wire grilles, close spaced fans, rear number boards, rear class lights
  • Standard front and rear anticlimbers with drop step

CR FEATURES:

  • 81” Low nose with ratchet brake and marker lights
  • Chicken wire grilles, close spaced fans, rear number boards, rear marker lights
  • Dynamic brake hatch, standard range
  • Standard front and rear anticlimbers with drop step
  • 2600 gallon fuel tank
  • Red marker lights

SOO FEATURES:

  • 81” or 88” Nose (per prototype) with ratchet brake, no class lights
  • Corrugated or chicken wire grilles (per prototype)
  • Close spaced fans
  • Dynamic or non-dynamic brake hatch per prototype
  • Nathan 3-chime horn
  • Large front anticlimber or drop step, per prototype
  • 3200-gallon fuel tank

DH FEATURES:

  • 81” Low nose with ratchet brake and class lights
  • Chicken wire grilles, close spaced fans, rear number boards, rear class lights
  • Dynamic brake hatch, standard range
  • Standard front and rear anticlimbers with drop step
  • 3200-gallon fuel tank

VTR FEATURES:

  • 81” Nose with ratchet Brake, no class lights
  • Standard front and rear anticlimbers with drop step
  • Chicken wire grilles, close spaced fans, rear number boards, blanked rear class lights
  • 2600-gallon fuel tank

Product Specs

Axles
4
Coupler Style
McHenry Scale Knuckle
Era
2010-Present Day
Full Road Name
Union Pacific
Lighting
LED
Minimum Radius
18
Prototype Manufacturer
EMD
Reporting Mark
UP
Scale
HO
Sound
No
Sub Brand
GENESIS
Wheel Configuration
B-B