Bachmann - 85052 - Locomotive, Diesel, GE Dash 8 - Union Pacific - 9183

Model Information: Bachmann introduced this model in 1996 and then revised it in 2003 (8-40CW) and 2004 (8-40C). The models come in two varieties: Dash 8-40C and Dash 8-40CW. The Dash 8-40CW was revised in 2018 and released with DCC & sound.
Original Retail Price of the 2003-04 version: $135
Be careful if you want to acquire one, as the versions are very different. The 8-40C have been re-released in 2004 with the same stock number and same road names & numbers as in 1996; the 8-40CW have re-released in 2003 with different road numbers or with different stock numbers than the 1996 release:

• The main visual difference between the 1996 and 2003-04 versions are the couplers: truck-mounted in 1996 (no pilot), body-mounted in 2004. The handrails are also thinner on the 2003-04 version. The 2004 Dash 8-40C has sun shades that were missing on the 1996 version. Inside, the mechanism is totally different with the 2003-04 version being a much better runner.
  
• The 1996 packaging is a box with foam, a transparent hinged cover with inscription 'On the leading edge of technology, Spectrum, The master Railroader Series from Bachmann', in a white carboard sleeve with a gold tag on it. The handrails came unmounted.
  
• The 2003-04 packing a more modern jewel case box with a plastic cradle, and label on the side.

DCC Information:
1996 version: no DCC support
2003-04 version: DCC Friendly (but not plug-and-play)
2018 version: factory-equipped DCC & Sound (Soundtraxx Econami)

Prototype History: The Dash 8 Series is a line of diesel-electric freight locomotives built by GE Transportation Systems. It replaced the Dash 7 Series in the mid-1980s, and was superseded by the Dash 9 Series in the mid-1990s. All models of the Dash 8 Series are powered by a 16- or 12-cylinder, turbocharged, GE 7FDL 4-stroke diesel engine.

The design of the Dash 8 Series is based upon that of the Dash 7 Series. The biggest changes introduced during the production of the Dash 8 Series were the first use of a microprocessor-equipped engine control unit in a diesel locomotive, and the adoption of a modular system in the construction of the vehicle body. The Dash 8 locomotive bodies were assembled from several modules, creating a combination to fit the length of the chassis. On models with a traditional narrow short hood, the part of the equipment room immediately behind the cab is taller than the top of the rounded cab roof, giving those models a distinctive appearance. On all models, that part of the equipment room houses the cooling fans for the dynamic braking system. Traction motors of Dash 8 locomotives were powered by direct current.

The "W" suffix used for some models indicates the then-optional wide-nose "North American" safety cab.
The GE Dash 8-32BHW (or Dash 8-32BWH) is a variant built with Head End Power (HEP) and a wide cab for Amtrak service.

From Wikipedia
More on Dash 8-32B 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: Bachmann Industries (Bachmann Brothers, Inc.) is a Bermuda registered Chinese owned company, globally headquartered in Hong Kong; specializing in model railroading.

Founded in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the home of its North American headquarters, Bachmann is today part of the Kader group, who model products are made at a Chinese Government joint-venture plant in Dongguan, China. Bachmann's brand is the largest seller, in terms of volume, of model trains in the world. Bachmann primarily specializes in entry level train sets, and premium offerings in many scales. The Spectrum line is the high quality, model railroad product line, offered in N, HO, Large Scale, On30, and Williams O gauge all aimed for the hobbyist market. Bachmann is the producer of the famous railroad village product line known as "Plasticville." The turnover for Bachmann model trains for the year ended 31 December 2006 was approximately $46.87 million, a slight increase of 3.36% as compared to 2005.