In 1973 Canadian National (CN) designed the safety cab, also known as the comfort cab, which featured a full-width nose that was intended to improve crew safety in the event of a collision. The first CN locomotives to feature this cab were GMDD GP38-2s and MLW M420s. GO Transit ordered the first safety cab equipped GP40-2s in 1973 with a three-unit order. CN then ordered their first safety cab GP40-2s from GMDD in 1974. Using CN’s locomotive classification system, these locomotives were assigned the designation GF-430 (General Motors, Freight, 4-axle, 3000hp). Letters are added after this designation to denote the separate orders for a given model.

Atlas model represents the GF-430d series, of which 34 were built in 1976: CN 9633-9667. This order was constructed using a standard GP40- 2 frame. Earlier GF-430 models were built on a frame that was a noticeable 4-5 inches taller. GO Transit would order a total of 11 safety cab equipped GP40-2s and all were built with similar dimensions to the CN GF-430d series. These units were later sold to Canadian National and renumbered as CN 9668-9677.

The terminology “early” and “late” is used when referring to various road names on this run. “Late” CN and former CN units feature ditch lights, snow shields and have their air horn relocated to the top of the long hood.

This GP40-2(W) model features many prototype-specific and separately-applied details, including:

• Dynamic brakes as appropriate per road name

• 3,000 Gallon Fuel Tank

• CN-Style Lighted Ditch Lights (optional)

• Snow Shields (optional)

• Round or Square Sand Fill Hatches

• Cab-Mounted Bell

• Three-Chime Air Horn Mounted on Cab or Long Hood

• Etched Metal Radiator Fan Grilles

Also includes “standard” features of the GP40-2 model:

• Golden-white LEDs

• Realistic die-cast underframe

• Five-pole skewed armature motor with dual flywheels for optimum performance at all speeds

• Directional lighting

• Factory-equipped with AccuMate knuckle couplers

• Detailed cab interior with crew figures

• Separately-installed scale windshield wipers, grab irons and fine scale handrails

• Movable drop steps

• Walkway safety tread

• Coupler cut levers

• Multiple unit hoses and trainline hoses

• Snowplow

Atlas Silver Sound Ready models are equipped with a speaker for easy conversion to sound with the addition of a decoder.

Atlas Master Series Silver Additional Features:

• NMRA 21-pin plug for DCC (Decoder-ready)

Atlas Master Series Gold Features:

• ESU LokSound decoder, supporting all DCC programming modes.

• Flexible mapping of function keys F0 to F31.

• Follows all NMRA DCC standards and recommended practices.

• Over 20 sound effects are available, including engine start-up  and shutdown, prime mover sounds through all eight notches, bell,  air horn, air compressor and more.