Facing growing competition from the larger “Dash 7s” ofGeneral Electric, EMD pushed its 16-cylinder 645 engine toits max. The 3500 horsepower SD50 produced nearly thesame horsepower output as the SD45 but with a powerplant 20% smaller. Although the front of the locomotivesdidn’t change much in appearance, a longer frame andhood allowed rearrangement of the dynamic brakes andproduced a long, sleek, and imposing design.With its engine pressed to its limits, operating problemsplagued the SD50s. Despite being delivered to 12railroads, production would last less than 5 years. In 1986 thenew SD60 replaced the earlier model in a very similar carbody but with an all-new engine. It would be the buildingblock for the next generation of EMD power.Despite the early problems, many railroads rebuilt andtuned the SD50s into reliable power which would servewell for decades to come. In the past 10 years, moreextensive rebuilds have kept fleets running for second,third or even fourth owners. You can still find them in service acrossthe United States today looking as powerful and imposing asever.Although there have been Lionel “stand ins” in the past, thesenew SD50s have been retooled to offer accurate long hooddetails as well as improved and different cab and short hoodoptions, kinematic pilots and accurate trucks per road name.Internally, the models feature our LEGACY and Bluetooth controlsystems, RailSounds, fan-driven smoke and LED lighting, includingditch lights or Mars lights where appropriate. For even moreaudible awesomeness, add a SuperBass unit to capture thedeep rich sounds of a large locomotive. SuperBass locos featurethe same lighting and smoke effects as powered models butare not powered. From the 1980s to today, no layout should bewithout one of these beauties!