Athearn announced that it will be adding a Union Pacific Electro-Motive Division (EMD) SD59M-2 diesel locomotive to its Genesis 2.0 line. The HO scale six-axle road locomotive is based on prototypes rebuilt from EMD SD60M phase II diesels.
The newly tooled Athearn Genesis 2.0 model will include separate, factory-applied uncoupling levers, m.u. hoses, and sander lines; a detailed cab interior; and Celcon handrails. Other features will be etched-metal see-through walkway steps; illuminated number boxes and ground lights above the front trucks; rotating bearing caps; a flared radiator section; a detailed 4,500-gallon safety fuel tank with fuel fillers, fuel gauges, and breather pipes; all-wheel drive and electrical pickup; RP-25 contour wheels; a die-cast metal frame; and light-emitting-diode lighting.
Athearn will be offering the HO scale model in four road numbers. Numbers 9903 and 9908 will be decorated in the lightning stripe scheme with a shield and wing on the nose. Numbers 9916 and 9922 will feature the Building America scheme with a United States flag on the long hood.
Direct-current models with a 21-pin NEM connector will sell for $249.99. Models with a dual-mode SoundTraxx Tsunami 2 sound decoder will be priced at $349.99. For more information, visit athearn.com.
![Athearn Genesis HO scale Union Pacific SD59M-2 number 9903 in lightning stripe scheme.](https://www.trains.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/MRR_Athearn_Genesis_HO_SD59M_lighting_stripe_1121.jpg)
![Athearn Genesis HO scale Union Pacific SD59M-2 number 9916 in Building America scheme.](https://www.trains.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/MRR_Athearn_Genesis_HO_SD59M_Building_America_1121.jpg)