At the end of the 1970s, Electro-Motive sought a successor to its landmark SD40-2 locomotive and for its 645-series power plant. That effort would spawn Electro-Motive’s “60-series” diesel locomotives and EMD’s evolutionary 710-series engine. But tucked between the classic SD40-2 and the SD60 was a transitional model that would take the 645-series power plant to its highest levels of output and preview design features of the 60-series. That locomotive was the SD50.
In 1980, the first SD50s appeared with the delivery of six pre-production units for Norfolk & Western. Deliveries of regular production versions of the SD50 began in the spring of 1981, and from 1981 through 1985 421 standard SD50s would be constructed using EMD’s traditional “Spartan” cab design. To improve the appeal of the SD50 during its production run, EMD had, in late 1984, boosted the horsepower rating of the model from 3,500 to 3,600 horsepower and had introduced improved alternators and traction motors. As such, the SD50 matched, with a 16-cylinder power plant, the potency once reserved for EMD’s 645-series 20-cylinder SD45.
Over its production life, the SD50 garnered 12 original buyers. Conrail was the largest buyer, acquiring 135 SD50s. The railroads that would come to form CSX also were big buyers: Seaboard System purchased 81 units; Chesapeake & Ohio 43, and Baltimore & Ohio, 20.
Most SD50s served average to above-average service careers. The big SD50 fleet of CSX expanded even further when it acquired a portion of Conrail’s roster, and CSX still operates SD50s, a number of which have been rebuilt by the railroad.
The EMD SD50 is now available in Seaboard System’s distinctive livery and features accurate details and sounds plus authentic operating cab and controls.
Key Features
- Seaboard System Electro-Motive SD50 locomotive
- Authentic railroad-specific livery and details
- Realistic operating cab and controls
- Quick Drive compatible
- Download size: 166.2mb
