Athearn ATHG71520 Union Pacific UP EMD DDA40X Diesel Locomotive HO & CA-10 Caboose Collectors Set (without Sound)

The first DDA40X almost had a significantly different story. After success with earlier EMD double engine platforms, the call went out for the next generation of diesels. The DDA40X was the answer and the ‘X’ in DDA40X refers to the new, experimental, electrical system which became the basis of EMD’s most successful series of ‘-2’ locomotives. This improvement allowed for a long and notable career for the Centennials. As the United States approached its 200th Birthday, many railroads began painting a selection of their fleet in patriotic inspired liveries. As the story is told, Union Pacific had Chester Mack design a celebratory paint scheme for the first DDA40X to be produced. This proposed livery was brought to the decision makers and was decided against by a single vote. With permission by Union Pacific, Athearn has re-created this most legendary of Legendary Liveries.

The Bicentennial DDA40X collector’s set includes Athearn’s own interpretation of a Chester Mack inspired Bicentennial painted CA-10 caboose. Both DCC Sound equipped and DCC Ready DDA40X locomotives will come with the caboose equipped with a NCE DCC light decoder which operates on DC and DCC layouts.