HO SD60M Tri-Clops Locomotive, CSXT #8717

CSX FEATURES:

• CSX “Stealth” scheme
• Front and rear illuminated number boards
• Large EMD front plow
• Firecracker antenna
• Accurate CSX colors and artwork
• Legendary Liveries Scheme

Included in an EMD advert promoting their then-new SD60M, EMD showed off an artist rendition CSX scheme applied. This was most likely done to help generate sales as CSX ordered 10 SD60’s in 1989. We bring this “what if” idea to life as our Legendary Liveries series! In an alternate timeline, CSX ordered 10 SD60M’s (8710-8719) for testing and crew comfort. They were delivered in CSX’s “Stealth” scheme and operated with other high-horsepower locomotives in service.

SD60M “TRI-CLOPS” SERIES LOCOMOTIVE FEATURES:

• Coupler cut levers
• Flexible Trainline and MU hoses
• MU stands
• Walkway tread
• Windshield wipers
• Lift rings
• Wire grab irons
• Sanding lines
• Lit number boards
• Lit class lights, if equipped
• Lit signal lights and/or beacons, if equipped
• Bell placement & type per prototype
• Detailed fuel tank with fuel fillers, fuel gauges, and breather pipes
• EMD HTC trucks with animated bearing caps
• Speed recorder unless noted
• See-through cab windows and full cab interior
• Fine-scale Celcon handrails for scale appearance
• McHenry® scale knuckle couplers - Kadee® compatible
• DCC-ready features Quick Plug™ plug-and-play technology with 21-pin NEM connector
• Scaled from prototype resources including drawings, field measurements, photographs, and more
• Genesis driveline with 5-pole skew wound motor, precision machined flywheels, and multi-link drivetrain
• 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
• Accurately painted and printed paint schemes
• Packaging securely holds for the model for safe storage
• Minimum radius: 18” Recommended radius 22”

LEGENDARY LIVERIES

What are Legendary Liveries? An Athearn exclusive, they are the ultimate answer to “What if?” Featuring some of the most popular railroad paint schemes of all time, these models are perfect for collecting, proto-freelancing, or just plain fun! Whether company proposed paint schemes, canceled locomotive orders, or alternate takes on history, Legendary Liveries are fun and unique additions to any roster. Enjoy these items, and answer the ultimate railroad question of: “What if?”

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
• Engine, horn, and bell sounds work in DC
• 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

PROTOTYPE SPECIFIC INFORMATION

In 1984, EMD unveiled the first four SD60 demonstrator locomotives. The SD60 was equipped with a 3,800 horsepower, 16 cylinder, turbocharged 710G3A prime mover. Five years later, EMD began offering the SD60 with the wide nose “safety” cab with the infamous “Tri-Clops” 3-piece windshield, thus creating the SD60M. The term “Tri-clops” is a popular railfan nickname that refers to the original 3-window cab design.

Union Pacific was the first road to order these new SD60M locomotives followed by Burlington Northern and SOO Line. BN’s SD60M locomotives went on to the merged BNSF while the SOO Line units went to Canadian Pacific. Some of the BNSF units found more mileage with Norfolk Southern and in lease service for CEFX.