PROTOTYPE AND BACKGROUND INFO:

By the early 1970s, many first generation diesels were reaching the end of their service lives. One of the most common replacement locomotives became the GP40-2. EMD began production of the 16-cylinder, turbocharged, 3000 horsepower engine in 1972. These locomotives were developed for service where higher horsepower and faster service were preferable. A major feature for the GP40-2 was the introduction of the “dash 2” modular electrical cabinet. For more than 40 years, the GP40-2 has worked main line freights, locals, switching jobs, yard service, and helper service. Many remain in service today.

 

GP40-2 SERIES LOCOMOTIVE FEATURES:

• Coupler cut levers

• Drop steps unless noted

• “Nub” style walkway tread

• Lift rings

• Walkway tread

• Trainline and MU hoses

• MU stands

• Windshield wipers

• Wire grab irons

• Sanding lines

• Lit number boards

• Lit class lights, if equipped

• Lit signal lights and/or beacons, if equipped

• Bell placement & type per prototype

• Detailed fuel tank with fuel fillers, fuel gauges, and breather pipes

• Blomberg-B or Blomberg-M trucks with appropriate bearing caps

• Speed recorder unless noted

• See-through cab windows and full cab interior

• Fine-scale Celcon handrails for scale appearance

• Etched metal fan grilles

• Air tanks mounted below sill unless noted

• Body-mounted McHenry scale knuckle couplers - Kadee compatible

• DCC-ready features Quick Plug plug-and-play technology with 21-pin NEM connector

• Scaled from prototype resources including drawings, field measurements, photographs, and more

• Accurately painted and printed paint schemes

• Genesis driveline with 5-pole skew wound motor, precision machined flywheels, and multi-link drivetrain

• All-wheel drive with precision gears for smooth & quiet operation

• All-wheel electrical pickup provides reliable current flow

• Wheels with RP25 contours operate on all popular brands of track

• LED Lighting for realistic appearance

• Heavy die-cast frame for greater traction and more pulling power

• Packaging securely holds for the model for safe storage

• Minimum radius: 18”

 

SOUND-EQUIPPED MODELS ALSO FEATURE

• Onboard DCC decoder with SoundTraxx Tsunami2 sound

• Dual cube speakers for optimal sound quality

• Sound units operate in both DC and DCC

• Full DCC functions available when operated in DCC mode

• Engine, horn, and bell sounds work in DC

• All functions NMRA compatible in DCC mode

• Precision slow speed control

• Program a multiple unit (MU) lashup with lead unit only horn, bell, and lights

• Many functions can be altered via Configuration Value (CV) changes

• CV chart included in the box

 

PRIMED FOR GRIME MODELS FEATURE

• Duplicated look and feel of “In Service” equipment

• Faded base colors matched to the prototype

• Perfect starting point for adding grime and rust

 

Southern Pacific

By the end of the 1970’s, SP was in need of high-speed motive power for their hot shot trains. They placed their first order of 20 GP40-2s (SP 7608-7627) from EMD with order number 776071 in 1978. Being rather late to the table for this model, SP seemed to be impressed and ended up ordering 4 more batches including some for their subsidiary, Cotton Belt. SP-specific features include: 4-hole jacking pads, Nathan P3 horns, large “L” front window, and full SP light packages on both ends.

From SP’s 3rd order of GP40-2’s, we are pleased to announce their only GP40-2 “Kodachrome” repaint, SP 7672. From the failed Santa Fe/SP merger of 1986, many units were repainted into this bright scheme in anticipation of a merger that was ultimately denied.

 

SP FEATURES:

• Lit number boards and class lights

• Large front plow

• SP full light package with gyralights (effect in DCC)

• Operating red warning light when in emergency (effect in DCC)

• L-style front window

• Roof-mounted A/C

 

ROAD NUMBER SPECIFIC FEATURES:

• #7614 As-delivered appearance, cab roof mounted bell, standard exhaust, “split” battery box doors

• #7617 As-delivered appearance, cab roof mounted bell, standard exhaust, “split” battery box doors

• #7625 As-delivered appearance, cab roof mounted bell, standard exhaust, “split” battery box doors

• #7672 “Kodachrome” repaint, frame-mounted bell, standard battery box doors, exhaust silencer

 

 

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