Atlas Model Railroad Co. Product Review

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This review was taken from the August, 2001 issue of Model Railroad News and is reproduced with permission of Lamplight Publishing, Merlin, OR.

ATLAS HO DASH 8-40B

Review by Michael J. Pratt

Atlas’ newest diesel locomotive in its HO scale Atlas Master series is General Electric’s Dash 8-40B. The Atlas Master series of locomotives features Atlas’ Dual Mode DCC decoder, allowing the new model to run on both conventional, analog layouts, as well as those equipped with Digital Command Control.

The new Dash 8-40B is initially being offered in the following roadnames: Santa Fe (blue & yellow), Conrail (blue & white), CSX (gray, blue & yellow), LMX (gray, white & red), Susquehanna (black & yellow), Norfolk Southern (black & white), Cotton Belt (Bloody Nose), and Union Pacific. Each roadname is available in two numbered, and one unnumbered unit. Undecorated models are also available.

GE’s Dash 8-40B

General Electric’s Dash 8-40B was only in production for one year – April 1988 through April 1989. During that year, 150 locomotives were built. All 150 were produced for American roads, with none going to Canada or Mexico. The first 30 units were purchased by Conrail.

The Dash 8-40B features a 16 cylinder, FDL-16 engine rated at 4,000 horsepower. The Dash 8-40B came equipped with Floating Bolster trucks. All units feature anti-climber pilots, with the exception of Cotton Belt’s first 35 units (#8040-8074). A subsequent order of twenty (#8075-8094) were equipped with anti-climber pilots.

The Dash 8 series of locomotives brought to the forefront the angular shapes so identifiable with GE’s modern diesel power. The wing-like rear radiators, along with the angled cab and nose, are especially prominent on the Dash 8-40B.

Internally, the Dash 8 series features a computerized energy control system. This system incorporates separate blowers for the radiator fans, dynamic brakes, and traction motors. Previous designs used engine driven equipment, which posed a constant drain on horsepower. These new computer driven systems operate only when needed, freeing valuable engine power.

The Dash 8-40B was produced in both conventional and North American cab versions. Santa Fe was the only road to purchase the wide cab version of the locomotive. Designated Dash 8-40BW, eighty-three examples were built between October 1990 and April 1992. Santa Fe also purchased conventional Dash 8-40Bs. Dash 8-40BWs can now be spotted painted in the green and orange of Burlington Northern Santa Fe.

The Dash 8-40B is considered by many to be the paragon of GE four axle road switcher development. Numerous examples are still plying the rails.

The Atlas Master Dash 8-40B

Upon lifting the lid on Atlas’ new Dash 8-40B, one is bombarded with a sense of awe. The first impression of this new model can be summed up in a single word – impressive. To see if the model deserved that same amount of reverence after careful scrutiny was something I was eager to discover.

The first item one notices after removing the model from the Stryofoam lined box is the molded detail on the roof. Rivet, grill and hatch detail are superbly done. Each model is equipped with a three-chime horn located in the center of the long hood. It is finely molded, not oversized. The top of the cab features antenna, grab iron, and a non-functioning beacon molded from transparent orange styrene. The top of the cab also features a finely molded anti-skid pattern.

The other end of the locomotive features massive grill work for the radiator, as well as a single grab iron. All grab irons on the shell are made from formed wire. The center section between the grills, the grill cover, features the same fine pattern as the cab roof. The grill work of the radiator is made up of separate, etched metal inserts.

Moving to the sides of the shell, Atlas continues with excellently formed grill work, doors, hinges, and latches. The walk-ways feature finely done safety tread. The handrails and stanchions are cleanly molded in flexible plastic. The handrails measure of average of .018”, or 1.56 scale inches in diameter. The paint Atlas has applied to the handrails on some model does not add measurably to the fine cross section.

The cab features separately molded windshield wipers on each front and rear window. The nose features two top mounted grab irons and two sand filler hatches. A molded brake wheel is secured to the right side of the short nose. A small wire grab iron is present on the front of the nose. The rear of the long hood features five wire grab irons. A recessed sand filler is molded in the center of the long hood end.

The model’s Floating Bolster trucks also feature some impressive detailing. Single brake cylinders with piping are included on each truck. Speedometer cabling runs from the rear journal of the left front truck. Atlas has even included actual chain from the right front brake cylinder. The chain is oversized, but congrats to Atlas for including it nonetheless. The ends of the chain are fastened by small hooks molded into the plastic allowing the shell to be removed easily. Fine tweezers are needed to fasten the chain back into its proper place (this also allows for a finer chain to be used if desired).

Each end of the Dash 8-40B model features MU cabling and coupler cut bars. The front pilot features a snowplow with plastic grab irons on the top edge. A large red trainline is included on both ends of the model. The molding finishes off with a nicely done fuel tank and air reservoirs. Eight plastic sanding lines are glued to the frame.

The only items that need to be added by the modeler are the front and rear handrails, and cab sunshades if appropriate for the prototype. These are taped to the bottom of the Styrofoam insert. Also included are X2f couplers. Atlas has factory equipped each model with Accumate magnetic couplers. The pins of the handrails and sunshades are a tight fit. I found chamfering the model’s holes carefully with a new hobby blade made installation easier.

The Atlas Dash 8-40B combines all of these details into a very faithful representation of the prototype. All panels, hatches, and other similar features are accurately replicated. Distance between coupler pulling faces is a bit short, and truck centers measure roughly 39’6”. Prototype truck centers are 40’ 1-1/2” apart.

Assembly is equally well done. Most of this is due to the outstanding job Atlas has done engineering the individual parts of the model to fit together precisely. The only inconsistency between the models reviewed is the grab iron on the front of the nose. One grab iron is set too far in, and is almost flush with nose. The only other complaint regards the sanding lines. They are rather awkward looking, dangling from the frame without any support – but again, hats off for including them.

The paint work is, dare I say it, outstanding. Three samples were obtained for review: Norfolk Southern; St. Louis Southwestern (Cotton Belt); and New York, Susquehanna & Western Ry. (Susquehanna). Each one is a work of art. The Susquehanna model features a black and yellow paint scheme, with black and yellow diagonal stripes on the side sills and front snowplow. The handrails are yellow, supported by black stanchions. According to photos, the end stanchions should be yellow, not black. The step edges are tripped in yellow. The Susquehanna printed on the nose, and the circled S logo on both ends simply have to be seen to be believed.

The Cotton Belt sample is equally impressive. The Southern Pacific subsidiary sports the Bloody Nose scheme of overall gray with red ends. Handrails in the step well areas are painted white, as are the step edges. Although a provision was made for rear numberboards, SSW opted for a stenciled roadnumber. Atlas has duplicated this prototype features. A large SSW, which is slightly over sized, is printed on the short nose. The loco’s roadnumber is printed on the edge of the anti-climber pilot, following prototype practice of SSW’s second order of Dash 8-40Bs.

Norfolk Southern painted their locos all black, and Atlas’ new model features a nicely applied black finish. The locomotive features the stallion logo on both ends, along with the large, striped NS and Norfolk Southern on the long hood. White safety stripes are painted on the side sills. The locomotive also features yellow handrails and step edges in the step wells.

All three locomotive schemes feature numerous warning labels and other small lettering. The Cotton Belt and Susquehanna models feature nicely done GE builder’s plates. The only paint detail that some fastidious detailers may want to add would be appropriate colors to the locomotive’s coupler cut levers. For instance, the looped portion of the lever should be white on the Cotton Belt unit.

The final painted items worthy of comment are the two crew figures in the cab. Each model features two, pained in a distinctive steam era fashion complete with red bandanas around their necks.

After studying the crew figures, one notices something else. The cab is completely open, and not filled with the usual wiring or weight. This allows one to look from one side to the other. This is a very subtle detail that affects the overall feel of the entire model. Well done, Atlas.

Under the finely detailed shell hides a five-pole, skewed armature motor with dual flywheels. The motor rests on a die cast frame. Each of the eight wheels provide electrical pick up and exert power to the tracks. How well this is done will even surprise some staunch Atlas fans.

For all three samples of the Dash 8-40B model, starting voltage ranged from 0.99 to 1.03 volts @ 0.7 amps. Slow scale speed at this setting is a slumbering 4 miles per hour. After just a small amount of run time, the sample locomotives could maintain a constant motion around the T shaped test track with 18” radius curves with only 1.07 volts! At twelve volts, the locomotives traveled approximately 65 mph with no load.

Pulling power for the four-axle model is plenty for most layouts. The samples could manage a number of cars, and only began slipping around the 18” radius curves of the test track after 17 various freight cars were hooked to the rear. This was with only 4 volts at the throttle. A slight advance of the juice, and the loco pulled the train around with apparent ease. Amperage never passed 0.25 amps.

The locomotives are among the quietest you will never hear. Gear noise is almost non-existent, with the only sound being the clack-clack of the wheels over the rail joints. All three locomotive are as evenly matched as humanly possible; there should be no concern whatsoever about MUing these models together.

The only disappointing thing about operation is the headlights. Only at 5 volts do the headlights emit a faint orange glow. At 8 volts, they become more noticeable. The Cotton Belt locomotive’s headlights flash until 6.5 volts, and then become steady. The headlights are directional, and require the same voltage in reverse. The flashing problem is not present on the Cotton Belt unit in reverse.

Each model is equipped with Atlas’ HO Dual-Mode Decoder, which allows you to switch a locomotive from analog to DCC mode and back again. The models come factory set for analog operation.

Switching to DCC operation is simple. By removing the shell, you gain access to the decoder jumper plug. Remove the jumper plug by pulling it straight up, then replacing it according to the included diagram. The Dual-Mode Decoder is preprogrammed to match the last two digits of the locomotive’s road number.

Atlas’ Dual Mode Decoder features: 14, 28, or 128 speed steps; two function out-puts with a current rating of 200mA that can be configured for either directional lighting, or lights and Function 1; Function 0 turns headlights/rear lights on and off (depending on direction of locomotive); extra function can be used to dim headlights (Rule 17); support for Advanced Consist Control and Extended addressing; full support for operations mode programming (long and short) and full support for all forms of programming as described in NMRA RP-9.2.3; functions which can be programmed to match the requirements of each individual locomotive (i.e., ditch lights or other special effects); and provides 1 amp continuous motor current.

Atlas’ new HO Dash 8-40B has one major drawback. I have attended a number of modeling contests and displays over the years, and have seen a large number of finely hand crafted diesel models. Any one of them was the result of hand selected parts from various manufacturers, as well as many hand made items, and countless house of effort. The new Atlas model cannot only compete with a large majority of those hand built models, it comes pre-assembled and painted!

Sure, there are plenty of details one can find to add for a particular roadname (such as air conditioners on top of the Santa Fe and Cotton Belt cabs), but for the most part, this model is complete. The details are outstanding, and performance is the best among recent HO diesel releases. Now, modelers not only have to complete with each other, but with Atlas as well!!

General Electric Dash 8-40B Diesel Locomotive – Retail price: $139.95