

Dear HO Scale Customers;
Athearn Genesis announced the EMD GP40-2 Diesel Locomotives
Denver and Rio Grande Western
After the 1988 merger of Rio Grande and SP, many locomotives were modernized. During the 1990s, ditch lights were added to locomotives for added visibility in grade crossings. While keeping their nose-mounted gyralights, front ditch lights and cab beacons were added to many Rio Grande units. By the late 90s, the gryalights and beacons were removed.
DRGW FEATURES:
- Early body with Chickenwire grilles
- Lit number boards and class lights (effect in DCC)
- Cab Beacon (effect in DCC)
- Nathan P3 horn mounted on long hood
ROAD NUMBER SPECIFIC FEATURES:
- #3100 Silver gyralight bezel, Rio Grande logo on nose, no cab vent
- #3116 Silver gyralight bezel, no Rio Grande logo on nose, cab vent on right side
- #3121 Black gyralight bezel, Rio Grande logo on nose, cab vent on right side

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
- SP full light package with gyralights (effect in DCC)
- Operating red warning light when in emergency (effect in DCC)
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

CSX
Using CSX’s current “YN3” or “Dark Future” scheme popularized in the mid-2000’s, CSX revamped their logos to the “Boxcar” or “YN3b” scheme starting in 2011. Repainted on many different diesel locomotives and some freight cars, we are offering this scheme in three road numbers with road number specific details.
CSX FEATURES:
- Alternately flashing ditch lights (effect in DCC)
- Expert approved artwork and colors
- “Mail-slot” battery box doors
- Road number specific details
ROAD NUMBER SPECIFIC FEATURES:
- #6203 Ex-BO 4304, Large EMD front plow, ratchet nose brake, cab-mounted “skate” style antennas, Blomberg M trucks
- #6212 Ex-WM 4313, Large “Skinny” style front plow, electronic nose brake, cab-mounted “skate” style antennas, Blomberg B trucks, RV style A/C
- #6237 Ex-BO 4338, Removed front plow, electronic nose brake, Blomberg B trucks, RV style A/C

Union Pacific
After the UP merger of 1996, quite a few SP GP40-2s soldiered on still in their original colors. To quickly re-number them into the UP locomotive numbering system, a simple yellow patch was applied to show off it’s new owner. As most units received a full coat of UP Armor yellow and Harbor Mist grey, a few managed to escape the repainting still showing the original owner’s markings, albeit with faded colors well into the 2010s.
UP FEATURES:
- Patched units with faded colors
- Front and rear ditch lights
ROAD NUMBER SPECIFIC FEATURES:
- #1376 Ex-SP 7608, Roof-mounted bell, welded nose warning light cover, standard exhaust, cab mounted horn, large EMD front plow
- #1413 Ex-SP 7662, Frame-mounted bell, plated nose warning light cover, exhaust silencer, long hood mounted horn, large UP style front plow
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:
- “Nub” style walkway tread
- 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
- 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
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
Order Due Date: June 28, 2024
Anticipated Delivery Date: November 2025
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