Athearn HO SD70ACe UP/Spirit of Up #1943

Union Pacific's Locomotive No. 1943, The Spirit, is the 16th commemorative locomotive introduced in the 155-year-old company's history. The Spirit honors the United States' armed forces and the men and women filling their ranks. Created in collaboration with Union Pacific veterans, the locomotive illustrates the railroad's connection to the thousands of veterans who helped build America through the centuries. A Boeing B-17 was christened the Spirit of the Union Pacific in 1943, recognizing employees who funded it through war bond contributions. The Spirit of the Union Pacific was assigned to the 571st Bomber Squadron and shot down on its fifth mission during a raid on enemy installations in Münster, Germany. Every detail in The Spirit's trade dress incorporates a piece of each U.S. armed forces branch. The Spirit's front is symbolic of Air Force Silver, and the blue stripe is a reflection of the former Strategic Air Command's “nose sash.” The lettering inside the sash is the original hand-drawn font used on the B-17. It is followed by the Coast Guard's “Racing Stripe” and the Navy's Battleship Gray, which frames Union Pacific's traditional American flag. The military camouflage is a nod to the Army and Marines. As the train passes by, the final message on the tail is dedicated to U.S. prisoners of war and those missing in action, featuring the POW/MIA symbol and its motto, “You Are Not Forgotten.” In order to meet stricter diesel locomotive emissions standards imposed by EPA Tier II regulations, EMD modified the SD70MAC to create the SD70ACe and SD70M-2. Each model is powered by a 16-cylinder, 4300-horsepower diesel engine. On the SD70M-2, the prime mover drives an alternator and produces AC current that is rectified to DC current, which powers the traction motors. On the SD70ACe, the DC current is then "chopped" back into AC to power the traction motors. Much of the external design is based on the SD90 series locomotives.