ABOVE: One of two Union Pacific lettering styles for Athearn’s Genesis Veranda Turbine coming in the late 2021 delivery of this HO-scale model.

Recent Athearn announcements (November 27, 2020) include Union Pacific (UP) motive power to assemble mid-1950s and into the early 1960s consists. The hobby manufacturer’s Genesis-series will see the return of its General Electric Veranda Turbine model and Electro-Motive Division (EMD) GP9s. Decoration and details will present the massive Veranda Turbine with fuel tender in multiple road numbers with paint scheme variations.

The Veranda Turbines will see four road numbers (64, 67, 70, and 72) in this 2021 production. Two numbers (67 and 70) will feature the road’s name on the nose below the headlight and above the wing herald. Additional variations to these models will include raised air intakes on the roofline behind the cab on UP 67, while the other three coming Veranda Turbine models will present the short air intake version of the prototype. You’ll also find different size presentation of “Union Pacific” on the fuel tender, and other road- and number-specific variations. This fully assembled HO-scale Veranda Turbine and tender will be offered in standard DC (MSRP: $399.98) and with Digital Command Control and SoundTraxx-made Tsunami 2 audio (MSRP: $489.98) versions. The model will include LED lighting (a first-time for this Genesis tooling) and other features.

ABOVE: Union Pacific GP9s will be coming for December 2021 delivery from Athearn Genesis. The release will present regular GP9s and cabless GP9Bs.

To work with your Veranda Turbine, Athearn will deliver Union Pacific Geeps in late 2021. For the first time, the manufacturer will reproduce EMD’s Phase III body style GP9 decorated for Union Pacific. You can spot this later production GP9 by its inclusion of single large 48-inch fans on the roof of the long hood that match up to the diameter of the dynamic brake fan; earlier Geeps included twin 36-inch fans in place of the later GP9’s single larger fan. The models will come in three road numbers (333, 341, and 345) with Union Pacific’s “Serves All The West” slogan on the cab.

Also coming from Athearn Genesis are UP GP9Bs, this uncommon cabless booster Geep was owned by Pennsylvania Railroad in the East and Union Pacific in the West. For this production, Athearn plans three road numbers (146B, 167B, and 180B) and will depict Phase I B-unit bodies with dynamic brakes and additional road-specific details.

These new Union Pacific GP9s are part of an announcement that includes Boston & Maine; CP Rail; Louisville & Nashville; Santa Fe; and Toronto, Hamilton & Buffalo. Check Athearn’s website or ask your hobby dealer for additional details. The non-sound, standard DC Geeps carry a $209.98 suggested retail price, while models equipped with DCC and Tsunami 2 audio list for $299.98.

Athearn Trains
877-422-9316
athearn.com

Look for coverage of these releases in a coming edition of Model Railroad News!