Now available from ScaleTrains are EMD GP40 locomotives as part of its premium-level “Rivet Counter” line in a multitude of production phases with an extensive array of road-specific details corresponding to each paint scheme and era.
Introduced in 1966 as part of a new line of locomotives based on EMD’s new 645-series prime mover, the 3,000 horsepower turbocharged GP40 was the pinnacle of four-axle freight locomotives in this new product line. Between 1966 and December of 1971, the Electro-Motive Division of General Motors produced over 1,100 GP40 locomotives for 28 US railroads, two Mexican railroads and Canada.
Details on the ScaleTrains Rivet Counter GP40 include separately applied metal grab irons, etched metal windshield wipers and walkway steps, see-through cooling fans, full underbody details including traction motor cables, air reservoirs, air dryers, different fuel tank capacities and much more. At the heart of every Rivet Counter GP40 is a heavy die-cast metal chassis encasing a precision can motor with flywheels. The provided motherboard includes not only a 21-pin DCC plug with optional ESU Loksound 5 sound decoder, but also built-in capacitors to provide smoother operation over temporary electrical gaps under DCC.
Lighting features include illuminated LED headlights, number boards, multicolor classification lights, walkway lights, and where applicable – rooftop strobes, oscillating Gyralites or Mars signal lights per prototype.
Road names for this inaugural GP40 production include:
- Chicago & North Western (OY Scheme, 2 variations)
- Denver & Rio Grande Western (Large billboard lettering)
- Louisville & Nashville (gray/yellow)
- Milwaukee Road (Billboard scheme, orange/black)
- Penn Central (black)
- Western Pacific (Perlman Green – two versions)
- Western Pacific Bicentennial (red/white/blue)
Multiple road numbers offered per scheme.
DC+DCC+Sound units equipped with ESU Loksound 5 decoders carry a suggested $299.99 MSRP, while DC silent units with a 21-pin DCC plug retail for $199.99 each.
Available now direct or from authorized hobby dealers while supplies last.
ScaleTrains, 4901 Old Tasso Rd NE, Cleveland, TN 37312; 844-987-2467; www.scaletrains.com
The Western Pacific rostered 44 GP40s in all from 3501-3544. The fourth and final order was for eighteen units numbered 3527-3544, delivered between August and September of 1971 in “Perlman Green”. Given the late production date, these “Phase IIc” units were built with a standard-range dynamic brake housing with long tapers on both sides, never before produced in RTR form for HO scale until now. In 1976, Western Pacific’s Stockton Shops repainted and renumbered two units from this class to celebrate the Bicentennial of the United States that year.
The Denver & Rio Grande Western Railroad was famous not only for its scenic route through the Rockies, but also had a strong reputation for short and fast freight trains in addition to its heavy and slower moving coal traffic. Being an all-EMD railroad by the 1970s, the EMD GP40 was the ideal solution for its expedited freights, but also served well pinching in on other trains as needed, including leading passenger trains. ScaleTrains’ rendition of D&RGW 3089 represents one of the final order of eight GP40s numbered 3086-3093 delivered to this mountain railroad at the end of GP40 production in November of 1971. ScaleTrains offers six different road numbers from this group of Rio Grande units in this production.
