Athearn Genesis HO SD80MAC Conrail

Railroad Short Name: CR

Prototype Information:

With the increase in available adhesion and tractive effort due to AC-traction technology, an unofficial horsepower race between the two dominant locomotive builders was on.

The SD80MAC was the first EMD locomotive to utilize a V20 engine since the SD45 series. For Conrail, the SD80MACs were the first AC-traction diesel locomotives on the roster. These locomotives became Conrail’s choice for handling long and heavy coal trains on their Pittsburgh and Boston Lines, also over their Allegheny Mountain routes in Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Virginia, and New York.

After the split-up of Conrail in 1999, the SD80MACs went to CSX Transportation, and Norfolk Southern. Eventually NS traded with CSX to acquire the remaining SD80MACs becoming the sole operator of these models to date.

CR Features:

• As-delivered paint scheme
• Front and rear operating red marker lights
• Leslie 3-chime horn
• Small EMD front plow
• Pilot mounted front ditch lights

In 1995, Conrail placed an order for 30 SD80MAC’s, being the sole original purchaser. They were painted like the then-recently delivered SD70MAC’s. This would end up being the last new locomotive order CR would place before they were split up between CSX and NS in 1999.

Locomotive Features:

• Etched, see-through walkway steps
• Illuminated number boards
• Illuminated ground lights
• Brand new model previously only available in brass
• Fully-assembled and ready-to-run
• DCC-ready features Quick Plug^™ plug-and-play technology with 21-pin NEM connector
• DCC+Sound models feature dual Sugarcube speakers for optimal sound quality
• Accurately painted and printed paint schemes
• Scaled from prototype resources including drawings, photographs, and more
• Coupler cut levers
• Rubber MU hoses
• Trainline hose
• See-through cab windows
• Full cab interior
• Walkway tread
• Windshield wipers
• Lift rings
• Wire grab irons
• Sander lines
• Fine-scale Celcon handrails for scale appearance
• Detailed fuel tank with fuel fillers, fuel gauges, & breather pipes
• McHenry^® scale knuckle couplers – Kadee^® compatible
• Genesis driveline with 5-pole skew wound motor, and precision machined flywheels
• All-wheel drive with precision gears for smooth & quiet operation
• All-wheel electrical pickup provides reliable current flow
• Wheels with RP25 contours operate on all popular brands of track
• LED Lighting for realistic appearance
• Heavy die-cast frame for greater traction and more pulling power
• Packaging securely holds for the model for safe storage