Atlas Model Railroad Co. Product Review

This review was taken from the March, 2002 issue of Model Railroader Magazine and is reproduced with permission of Kalmbach Publishing Company, Waukesha, WI.

HO GE DASH 8 WIDE-NOSE LOCOMOTIVES INCLUDE DUAL-MODE DCC DECODERS

Review by Jim Hediger

Atlas has released two more HO modern General Electric diesel locomotives including Amtrak’s Dash 8-32BWH passenger unit and a Dash 8-40BW road freight locomotive. Both have North American safety cabs and share a common chassis with the Dash 840B freight locomotive reviewed in the August 2001 MODEL RAILROADER. The Contemporary Diesel Spotter’s Guide – 2000 Edition explains the differences between these locomotives.

The Dash 8-32BWH is a 3,200-hp locomotive built for Amtrak with a smaller 12-cylinder FDL engine and a second alternator which supplies head-end power (HEP) for passenger cars. Amtrak’s 20 units, numbered 500-519, were built in December 1991.
The Dash 8-40BW is a 4,000-hp road freight locomotive built with a North American safety cab for the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Ry. General Electric built 83 of these distinctive locomotives, numbered 500-582, in 1990 and 1992. They were heavily promoted as the motive power for Santa Fe’s Super Fleet intermodal service.

These models match the dimensions in GE specifications except for the wheelbase on the Dash 8-32BWH. Its trucks should be a scale 6” closer together, but most viewers will never notice this minor difference.

Both models are Atlas Master Series locomotives with dual-mode decoders which can be easily switched between conventional DC and DCC operation by moving a jumper plug. One instruction sheet explains the dual-mode decoder while a second 8 ½” x 14 “ sheet includes an exploded isometric drawing. See the Atlas web site at www.atlasrr.com for additional technical information.

Our samples came assembled except for the fragile sunshades, end railings, and plows which press into place. The body shells are superbly detailed with excellent paint and lettering. A series of tiny concealed latches locks together the body and chassis. Numerous small detail parts are hand-applied including grab irons, clear window glazing with windshield wipers, dynamic brake grills, and radiator panels. A crew is included in the cab.

The running gear is the same as the Dash 8-40B including a heavy cast zinc alloy frame, a can motor, turned brass flywheels, and GE’s FB type “floating bolster” trucks. The RP25 wheelsets match the National Model Railroad Association standards gauge.

Decorated locomotives come programmed to the DCC channel which matches the last two digits in the locomotive’s number.

As before, our samples performed flawlessly on both DCC and conventional DC. The drawbar pulled is equivalent to 45 free-rolling freight cars on the straight and level track, while the passenger unit easily hauled Amtrak’s usual six-to eight-car load.

Accumate knuckle couplers are mounted in boxes attached to the metal chassis with small screws, and they have the proper coupler height. A pair of horn-hook couplers is provided.

I’m happy to see Atlas producing several different models of modern GE B-B locomotives that share components. This technique provides modelers with a wide range of well-detailed, superb-running locomotives. These distinctive wide-nose GE road locomotives will look great on any contemporary model railroad

HO GE Dash 8 Locomotives

Dash 8-32BWH (passenger)

Dash 8-40BW (freight)

Price: $139.95 each

Manufacturer:

Atlas Model Railroad Co., Inc.

603 Sweetland Ave.

Hillside, NJ 07205-1799

www.atlasarr.com

Description:

Plastic and metal locomotive

Features:

Accumate knuckle couplers

Cab interior

Dual-mode decoder with jumper plug for DC or DCC operation

Directional headlights

Drawbar pull: 3.2 ounces

Dual flywheel drive

Engine weight: 17.5 ounces

Minimum radius: 18”