Athearn #G71649 DDA40X W/DCC & Sound UP #6927

PROTOTYPE AND BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Built by EMD exclusively for Union Pacific between 1969 & 1971, the DDA40X Centennial locomotives were the modern equivalent of the railroad’s famed Big Boy steam locomotives. These massive 98-foot double-engine diesels were UP’s mainstay hotshot power for a decade until they were sidelined by the recession of the early 1980’s. They had one last hurrah in 1984-85 when 25 of the them were returned to service for about a year to help relieve a power shortage. These units go great with Union Pacific ‘Fast Forties’ SD40-2s (ATH71202, ATH72103, ATH72104, ATH72105), also announced this month!

Union Pacific DDA40X FEATURES:

• Era-appropriate horns and locations per prototype
• New LED lighting, including ground effect and class lights
• Functioning beacons (where appropriate)
• New rubber MU hoses
• Lit number boards
• Etched see-through ladder steps
• Two premium Genesis motors for unparalleled tractive effort
• Sound models equipped with dual cube speakers
• 16-wheel eletrical pickup and drive

ROAD NUMBER SPECIFIC FEATURES:

• #6905 & 6910 Early anti-climbers and electrical cabinets, smoke lifters, three-line shield with full ‘Union Pacific Railroad’ text
• #6911 & 6907 Patched logo, early anti-climbers, early electrical cabinets
• #6927 & 6943 Late anti-climbers, late electrical cabinets, beacon, cab-mounted horns, two-line UP shield.