Con-Cor - 0001-002654 - Locomotive, Diesel, EMD SD50 - Union Pacific - no #

Model Information: Introduced in 1986.
Shares the same chassis, made by Roco in Austria, as other Con-Cor locomotives of the same vintage: EMD SD40-2, SD45 and Alco C-636.
A very distinctive spotting feature is the fuel tank that appears to be in two parts: the largest one being part of the metal chassis, and the smallest one being a plastic add-on. This is due to Con-Cor having pulled the rear truck backwards from the chassis on the SD50 and SD40-2 compared to to the C-636 and SD45.
The bottom of the fuel tank is stamped ' Con-Cor Austria'.
Other features include:
- Skew-wound 3-poler motor.
- Four wheels per truck are geared and and four provide pick-up. Center wheels come with traction tires and are geared. Wheels on the last axle provide pick-up but are not geared.
- Wheel flanges are reported not fitted for Code 55 track.
- Truck-mounted Rapidos couplers.
- Non-directional headlight.

A number of these models were delivered without a road number. Due the lack of reliable source, we cannot certify if the road numbers that we have indicated are factory-original or custom numbers. Any additional information would be highly appreciated.

DCC Information: No provision for DCC.

Prototype History: The SD50 was produced in response to increasingly tough competition from GE Transportation Systems, whose Dash 7 line was proving quite successful with railroads. While EMD's SD40-2 was a reliable and trusted product, GE's line included locomotives up to 3,600 hp (2,685 kW) with more modern technology, as well as very competitive finance and maintenance deals. EMD responded throughout the SD50 program by offering discounts on large orders.

GM-EMD had previously produced 3,600 hp (2,685 kW) locomotives, the SD45 and later SD45-2, but these used huge, 20-cylinder engines with high fuel consumption, and had reliability problems when first introduced. Demand for the 45 series dropped sharply after the 1970s fuel crisis. The SD50 used an updated version of the V16 645 used in the SD40-2, uprated to 3,500 hp (2,600 kW)- and later 3,600 hp (2,685 kW) - at 950 rpm from 3,000 hp (2,240 kW) at 900 rpm. This proved to be a step too far; the 50 series models were plagued by engine and electrical system problems which harmed both sales and the reputation of EMD.

From Wikipedia
Read more on American-Rails.com

Road Name History: The Union Pacific Railroad (reporting mark UP) is a freight hauling railroad that operates 8,500 locomotives over 32,100 route-miles in 23 states west of Chicago, Illinois and New Orleans, Louisiana. The Union Pacific Railroad network is the largest in the United States and employs 42,600 people. It is also one of the world's largest transportation companies.

Union Pacific Railroad is the principal operating company of Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE: UNP); both are headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska. Over the years Union Pacific Corporation has grown by acquiring other railroads, notably the Missouri Pacific, Chicago & North Western, Western Pacific, Missouri-Kansas-Texas, and the Southern Pacific (including the Denver & Rio Grande Western).

Union Pacific Corporation's main competitor is the BNSF Railway, the nation's second largest freight railroad, which also primarily services the Continental U.S. west of the Mississippi River. Together, the two railroads have a duopoly on all transcontinental freight rail lines in the U.S.

Read more on Wikipedia and on Union Pacific official website.

Brand/Importer Information: Con-Cor has been in business since 1962. Many things have changed over time as originally they were a complete manufacturing operation in the USA and at one time had upwards of 45 employees. They not only designed the models,but they also built their own molds, did injection molding, painting, printing and packaging on their models.

Currently, most of their manufacturing has been moved overseas and now they import 90% of their products as totally finished goods, or in finished components. They only do some incidental manufacturing today within the USA.

Important Note: The Con-Cor product numbering can be very confusing. Please see here in the article how to properly enter Con-Cor stock numbers in the TroveStar database.