Athearn Genesis HO Scale EMD SD70ACe Union Pacific UP #8522 Recent Repaint - DCC & Sound – ATHG-75651

Bring modern Union Pacific heavy-haul power, premium Genesis performance, and factory-installed digital sound to your HO scale railroad with the Athearn Genesis HO Scale EMD SD70ACe Union Pacific UP #8522 Recent Repaint - DCC & Sound. This highly detailed six-axle diesel represents UP #8522 as a modernized early-production SD70ACe featuring a recent Union Pacific repaint, PTC antennas, modernized inverter cabinets, and front ditch lights. Factory-installed SoundTraxx Tsunami2 DCC & Sound with dual cube speakers makes this locomotive ready for contemporary Union Pacific operations right out of the box.

Union Pacific #8522 represents one of the railroad's early-production SD70ACe locomotives originally built during 2005-2006. Athearn captures the locomotive in its more contemporary appearance, including the PTC equipment and updated inverter cabinets added during its service life. The recent UP repaint represents the railroad's newer paint treatment introduced in 2022, making #8522 particularly well suited to a present-day Union Pacific model railroad. 

Union Pacific UP #8522 Prototype-Specific Features

• Union Pacific road number 8522
• Recent Union Pacific repaint
• Early-production SD70ACe originally built during 2005-2006
• Prototype-specific PTC antennas
• Modernized inverter cabinets
• Front ditch lights only
• Six-axle EMD SD70ACe diesel locomotive
• 2010-present modeling era

SoundTraxx Tsunami2 DCC & Sound

This version of Union Pacific #8522 is factory equipped with DCC & Sound. Athearn installs an onboard SoundTraxx Tsunami2 DCC decoder and dual cube speakers, providing digital locomotive control and sound without requiring an aftermarket decoder installation. The sound-equipped locomotive operates on both conventional DC and DCC layouts, with full digital functionality available when operated on DCC. 

• Factory-installed SoundTraxx Tsunami2 DCC & Sound decoder
• Dual cube speakers for optimal sound quality
• Operates on both DC and DCC layouts
• Full DCC functionality in DCC mode
• Engine, horn, and bell sounds available during DC operation
• NMRA-compatible DCC functions
• Precision slow-speed control
• Multiple-unit lashup programming
• Lead-unit-only horn, bell, and lighting options for MU consists
• Programmable Configuration Value (CV) functions
• CV chart included

Premium Athearn Genesis SD70ACe Details

The Athearn Genesis HO Scale SD70ACe combines road-specific prototype accuracy with the fine-scale detailing expected from Athearn's premium Genesis line. UP #8522 features illuminated number boards and truck lights, etched see-through steps, a detailed full cab interior, fine-scale handrails, flexible hoses, and numerous separately applied details that capture the imposing appearance of modern Union Pacific diesel power.

• Flexible rubber trainline hose
• Flexible rubber MU hoses
• Etched see-through steps
• Separately applied lift rings
• Detailed sander lines
• Illuminated number boards
• Illuminated truck lights
• See-through cab windows
• Detailed full cab interior
• Detailed walkway tread
• Windshield wipers
• Wire grab irons
• Fine-scale Celcon handrails
• Coupler cut levers and MU hoses
• Detailed fuel tank with fuel fillers, gauges, breather pipes, and retention tanks
• Body-mounted McHenry operating scale knuckle couplers
• Accurately applied Union Pacific paint and printing
• Fully assembled and ready to run

Athearn Genesis Drivetrain & Performance

Under the shell, UP #8522 features Athearn's proven Genesis 5-pole skew-wound motor paired with precision-machined flywheels and a multi-link drivetrain. A heavy die-cast frame provides increased traction and pulling power, while all-wheel electrical pickup helps maintain reliable current flow when operating long modern freight trains. 

• Genesis 5-pole skew-wound motor
• Precision-machined flywheels
• Multi-link drivetrain for smooth operation
• All-wheel electrical pickup
• Heavy die-cast frame for increased traction and pulling power
• RP25 wheel contours compatible with popular HO scale track systems
• LED lighting
• Minimum operating radius: 18 inches
• Recommended operating radius: 22 inches

EMD SD70ACe Modern Diesel Power

The prototype EMD SD70ACe was developed to meet stricter EPA Tier II diesel locomotive emissions requirements while providing the horsepower and traction required for demanding mainline freight service. The SD70ACe uses a 16-cylinder diesel engine rated at approximately 4,300 horsepower with AC traction technology. 

The SD70ACe's distinctive profile includes a full-height nose door, rectangular windshields, large flared radiators with twin fans, dynamic brake equipment positioned toward the rear of the long hood, and prominent inverter equipment located behind the cab. These features helped make the SD70ACe one of the signature EMD freight locomotives of the modern railroad era.

Modern Union Pacific Power with Factory Sound

With its recent Union Pacific repaint, PTC antennas, modernized inverter cabinets, SoundTraxx Tsunami2 sound, illuminated details, and Genesis drivetrain, UP #8522 is an outstanding choice for contemporary HO scale Union Pacific operations. Put it at the head of an intermodal train, manifest freight, grain train, unit train, or combine it with additional UP locomotives to create a realistic multi-unit consist.

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