Missouri Pacific 3522 GP50

This new loco was a bargain purchase, 2nd hand, unboxed, but in good condition it was listed as just a "missouri pacific", not knowing much else I bid anyway and got it at a great price. I've since found out it is a GP50 loco manufactured by Athearn and was one of two loco's sold as a limited edition set - probably hence the unboxed state as it may have been split from its partner.

Anyway I'm very impressed, the first Athearn I've got my hands on it is impressively heavy and solid, detail is good, even the handrails are actually metal rather than the usual plastic. I expect it able to pull a considerable length train

So enjoy...

[Super]

Love those metal hand rails. Is it strange that the Emblem seems to be a Union Pacific but the engine is Missouri?

Do those fabulous looking head lights work and the ones on the rear? A really nice pickup Nigels...hows the house hunting going for a bigger place...because at this rate you are going to need it

Oh man, don't even go there, what I need to do is sell up and find a place in the country with an outbuilding or barn to use for my collection and build my layouts finally lol

I've not actually had it in any track yet to try the lights, it only arrived just before I left for a couple of days so I only had time to unwrap and take pictures to share. But so far most of the models have directional lights at both ends so I would expect those lights to be functional.

What I'm keeping an eye out for these days is one with a digital decoder with sound as well as lights, some of those look awesome.:-)

The GP50 is a somewhat rare engine by North American standards, so it’s pretty cool to find a model of it. I suspect the livery was ordered during the drawn out merger of MoPac and UP. Once it was complete, (only took 17 years!) the locomotives could be patched and relettered during regular maintenance.

Because of the time it takes to repaint an engine, it’s often done only during major overhauls. It isn’t unusual to see locomotives wearing colors and insignia of predecessor roads for years, even decades, after mergers and buyouts. Just last week, my daughter and I watched a Canadian National mixed freight pulled by a pair of SD60sSD70s. The lead engine was still in full Illinois Central markings, with only CN identifying marks patched below the cab windows. EDIT- Nope, there actually were NO CN ID marks below the cab windows. Oddly, the second locomotive was also a former IC unit but it had been repainted in the full CN colors.

[Super]

Well that certainly makes sense and answered why the Union Pacific Emblem would be there.

Thanks for the info OTR, I wouldn't have a clue as I know very little about USA outline as I've never really looked into it. I never even realised there was a logo mismatch until super mentioned it. All I know is that it was a five looking model and I was over the moon to win it :-D