Aurora Miniatures 110503 – GMDD SD50F (DCC And Sound) Canadian National (CN) 5443 Stripes – HO Scale

Prototype Information:

The SD50Fs were built by General Motors Diesel Division (GMDD) in London, Ontario, Canada in two batches – in 1985 and 1987, respectively. It is the Canadian variant of the EMD SD50 six-axle diesel-electric freight locomotive. Nicknamed the ‘Draper Taper’ after CN’s Chief of Motive Power at the time, it has a full-width cowl body and cab, with a tapered section immediately behind the cab for improved rear visibility. A total of 60 units were built, all for the Canadian National Railway. They saw extensive mainline freight service on the CN network across Canada and in the United States. They were retired by CN in 2008. A limited number of locomotives still operate today with second-hand owners.

The SD50AFs were built General Motors Diesel Division (GMDD) in London, Ontario, Canada in 1985. They were effectively ‘demonstrator’ SD60F units with the then-new 710 prime mover installed in place of the 645 used on the SD50 series. A total of 4 units were built for the Canadian National Railway. Initially numbered CN 9900-9903, they were renumbered to CN 5500-5503 by 1989. All 4 units were retired by CN in 2017. Units 5500 and 5501 still operate today with the Dakota, Missouri Valley and Western Railroad in the United States.

In order to clearly differentiate these 4 locomotives from the other 60 GMDD SD60Fs built in 1989, we will refer to these 4 locomotives as ‘SD50AFs’. Railfans and modellers may be entitled to a different opinion on the name.

General Model Features:

• Canadian National Class GF-636a, CN 5400-5439. Built in 1985 by GMDD, London, Ontario, Canada.
• Canadian National Class GF-636b, CN 5440-5459. Built in 1987 by GMDD, London, Ontario, Canada.
• Canadian National Class GF-638a, CN 5500-5503. Built in 1985 by GMDD, London, Ontario, Canada.
• Accurately designed from various prototype drawings, photos and other resources.
• Models depict in-service locomotives from the mid-1990s and beyond.
• Road name and road number-specific painting and lettering.
• Multiple road numbers offered.
• Highly detailed, injection-moulded plastic shell.
• Pilot-mounted or deck-mounted ditch lights per prototype.
• Large array of separately applied details: windshield wipers, grab irons, handrails, steps and ladders, lift rings, bell, horn, winterization hatch and screen, radiator screens, mirrors, sunshades, plow, MU hoses, train line hose, coupler cut lever, sanding lines, handbrake chain, fuel tank and underbody cables and piping.
• Industry-leading EMD/Dofasco HT-C trucks with traction motor detail, traction motor contour, separately applied brake details and rotating roller-bearing end caps.
• All LED lighting*: headlights, ditch lights, number boards, tri-colour class lights, step lights, ground lights, locomotive control desk stand.
• New and improved high-torque motor and drive mechanism guarantees smooth operation.**
• Operating radiator fans. Improved radiator fan drive unit with quieter operation and selective fan control.**
• All-wheel power pickup and all-axle drive.
• Heavy die-cast, zinc alloy chassis.
• AuroraJanney scale head replica couplers installed.
• NMRA RP-25 wheel contour with Code 110 tread width.
• Minimum radius: 18” (recommended 22”)

* Lighting functionality is limited on DC models operating on DC track power.

** Improvement over our previously-released HO scale SD60F.

DC Version Features:

• DCC ready with 21MTC connector.
• Dual sugar-cube speakers (functional after installation of a DCC sound decoder).
• Operates on DC track.

DCC / Sound Version Features:

• ESU LokSound 5 DCC sound decoder installed in model.
• Accurate V16 645F3B prime mover, horn, bell & additional sounds by ESU LokSound.
• Dual sugar-cube speakers.
• Operates on DCC track. DC operation is NOT recommended.