Thanksgiving Eve saw a trio of new Southern Pacific SD-39 locomotives make an appearance for a test run on the Highland Pacific layout. These locomotives were Athearn production samples yet to be released to the public. Active member Jack Ross did the research and rounded up photographs of the locos “in the wild.”

These beautifully done and highly detailed DCC locomotives are “as close to real as it gets.” That incudes locomotive #5296 with the red Southern Pacific lettering on the side. That’s not a mistake. Jack points out the SP used reflective lettering for the name on the locomotives. When these stick-on-letters peeled off it left behind a red residue (presumably from the lettering adhesive). You can see the same effect on the lead locomotive #5316 where the lettering has only partially peeled off. That’s a touch of realism.

Jack says the locomotives are in production now and will be released in time for the holidays. Thanks Jack for the early look at some nice locomotives.