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

 

Florida East Coast

After FEC was purchased by Groupo Mexico in 2017, small lettering was added to some of the locomotives displaying the new owner. As of recently, a new paint scheme was unveiled on a number of their locomotives. We are excited to announce a run of GP40-2s in this colorful scheme including an “Honoring Our Veterans” 2024 repaint. FEC’s latest Veterans paint scheme on #430 is a thank you to the veterans for their commitment, bravery, and sacrifice for this country.

 

FEC FEATURES:

• New paint scheme!

• 3-Chime horns on both ends

• Road number specific details

• Front and rear alternating flashing ditch lights (effect in DCC)

• Lit numberboards

• RV style A/C

• Front “Weedcutter” plow

 

ROAD NUMBER SPECIFIC FEATURES:

• #414 Early Phase body with chickenwire grilles, no front anticlimber, Blomberg M trucks, non-dynamic, rounded blower housing

• #421 Mid Phase body with corrugated grilles, large front anticlimber, Blomberg B trucks, non-dynamic, rounded blower housing

• #430 Special Veterans painted scheme, Mid-Late Phase body with corrugated grilles, large front anticlimber, Blomberg B trucks, with dynamic brakes, angled blower housing

 

 

Looking for more Athearn GP40-2 Diesel Locomotives? Click here!

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