Today we have a modern rebuilt diesel up for review...
EMD SD60E History: To begin with, EMD did not build the SD60E, at least not entirely. They all started out as standard cab regular SD60 models, and were rebuilt into the SD60E. The SD60E model was a rebuild program by Norfolk Southern to update and upgrade their SD60 fleet, including additional SD60 locomotives purchased for the program. This project was initiated by Norfolk Southern, and the SD60E is exclusive to them as of February 2024. The rebuild project began in 2010 with the first prototype rebuild rolling out of NS's Juniata Shops in Altoona, PA, and the rebuilding would continue until 2017, with 135 of the originally planned 240 completed. The remaining unrebuilt SD60 models were then sold or scrapped. The rebuild consisted of, most obviously, replacing the original standard cab with a NS designed wide-nosed safety cab, along with updated electronics and uprating the engine to 4,000hp from the standard 3,800. The units have become widespread across the NS system, and have proven to be successful and reliable units - enough so that NS, after selling their set of EMD F-units used for their Office Car Special, would choose 2 SD60E units, 7034 and 7035, to be regeared for higher speed (79mph) and assign them to the train.
NS 6934 History: As with many modern locomotives I review, there's not a particularly extensive history for 6934, but here's the info so far...
6934 was built by EMD in 1985 as NS 6596, a straight SD60. NS would then rebuild it in 2012, and it's currently still pulling freight around the NS system.
Box info...
When first unveiled, the SD60E revieved a fair amount of ... disdain for the cab shape, especially the "visor" over the cab (seen in profile below). I really like it.
I guess it's an acquired taste - if you don't like it, acquire taste.😎
The aforementoned visor was intended to provide shade (obviously), and to reduce glare from the headlight and numberboards.
The lighting over the truck is a nice feature.
Ratings.
Good: Almost everything. We'll start with construction, which begins with a respectable 1lb 4oz weight. The model is very sturdy overall, and the details are also extremely nice. The paint and lettering are perfect, as well. It runs and operates absolutely top-notch, and has sounds to match.
Bad: As is typical with Athearn, the handrails are alarmingly flimsy, as well as other small, fine details suffering from the same overly delicate condition. There was no damage on this particular model, however!
Also, there are wires very visible inside the exhaust port - this could've been easily rectified by sealing the port or moving the wires; it's not a glaring issue, but you're typically looking down at the model, so issues on the top are especially noticeable.
Overall: It's fantastic. Looks great, runs great, sounds great. The mentioned issues are extremely minor, so I can wholeheartedly recommend the Athearn SD60E!
That's it for this review, thanks for looking!
