PROTO 2000 Diesel EMD GP38-2 Powered - Assembled -- Norfolk Southern #5280 (black)

In the 60s EMD identified the need for a medium-horsepower roadswitcher with no turbocharger for improved reliability. With the rack settings on its 16-cylinder 645 prime mover set at a very conservative 2,000 horsepower, tried-and-true traction motors and other components, the GP38 was designed for reliability in all kinds of service. The locomotive sold well, but the addition of easy-to-maintain modular electronics made its successor the GP38-2 the runaway favorite with 2,188 locos sold. The externally identical GP38AC with an AC generator accounted for another 240 sales. GP38-2 production Early-production GP38-2s constructed before 1977 came equipped with an 81" long nose; this model is based on these units. Fuel tank size was specified by the customer and units came equipped with Blomberg M truck, although many were built with older Blomberg trucks from traded-in units. The GP38-2 could be found in all kinds of service from hauling road freights and wayfreights