Atlas Model Railroad Co. Product Review

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This review was taken from the September 2002 issue of Model Railroading Magazine and is reproduced with permission of Highlands Station, Inc., Aurora, CO.

ATLAS N GE DASH 8-40B

Review by Kent Charles

Closely following the prototype pattern established by General Electric Transportation Systems (GE), Atlas is producing models of B-truck GE locomotives at a rapid pace. The latest offering is a model of the GE Dash 8-40B, commonly known as the B40-8. The Dash 8-40B and the slightly older model B39-8E are the result of a long experience with four-axle freight engines. Starting with the U25B, GE has continually improved their four-axle product line. In 1982, GE began building a series of demonstrator locomotives (B36-8, B39-8 and B32-8) that incorporated improvements in computer controls and increased horsepower over their Dash 7 line. The demonstrator models did not result in any sales by GE, but did lead into additional improvements incorporated into the B39-8E (enhanced).

B39-8E locomotives are rated at 3,900 horsepower, are 66’ 4” long and have a wheelbase centerline of 39’ 4”. They are intended for use on high-speed trains. Starting in May 1987, the first of 100 B39-8E were built for LMX, a subsidiary of GE set up to lease the locomotive to Burlington Northern on a “power by the hour” contract. As part of the same production run, 40 units for Southern Pacific were produced. Two of the early production LMX unites were wrecked on the Montana Rail Link and replacements were produced by GE. The two wrecked units were eventually repaired by GE and became lease units independent of the LMX fleet. These two B39-8Es retained the LMX paint scheme, but were lettered GECX in place of LMX on the engine cowl.

Production of the Dash 8-40B started almost immediately following completion of the B39-8Es with an order by Conrail. The 4,000-hp Dash 8-40B is built on the same frame as the B39-8E and measures 66’ 4” long, but has a wheelbase centerline of 40’ 1½”. The slightly longer wheelbase allows a fuel tank increase from 3,150 gallons in the B39-8E to 3,250 gallons in the Dash 8-40B. Apart from railroad-specific external appendages such as air conditions, there are no significant visual differences between the B39-8E and the Dash 8-40B. A total of 151 Dash 8-40Bs were built for nine original owners during 1988 and 1989. Because of mergers, some locomotives have been repainted into successor owner schemes.

Atlas has chosen to model both the B39-8E and the Dash 8-40B and call them Dash 8-40Bs. Considering the minimal difference between the prototype models, I think this is a reasonable compromise. The overall appearance of the model is excellent. Painting and printing match the previously established high standard. Atlas continues to add multi-color warning labels on engine compartments following prototype practice The handrails at the steps are painted white or yellow where appropriate and numbers in the numberboards are sharp and legible. Railroad-specific details such as cab air conditioners and special light packages are left for the consumer to add. A welcomed new feature is the factory installed multiple unit (MU) cables on both the front and rear pilots. This detail improved the model’s appearance. A plow is installed on the front pilot. Accumate® couplers are factory installed.

A small parts bag holding Rapido couplers with springs and retainers is taped inside the blister pack that holds the engine. The model also includes a non-operational yellow strobe flasher on the cab above the front headlights. While this detail was standard on many “as delivered” units, I would prefer this type of detail be left as a separate piece for modelers to install if needed to match their prototype.

One disappointment with this model is the incorporation of the radiator fan shroud “shadow” into the radiator intake grilles. The prototype fan housing is inside the locomotive and can only be seen when you are lined up with the grills on each side of the locomotive and you have back lighting, a very uncommon experience. Because of the molding technique used, this “shadow” is visible from any angle. I have no doubt that Atlas intended this as an additional detail, but I hope they drop this design in future models.

Internally, the model uses the split-frame design with the new slower motor. I am still not a fan of this change in motor speed, first seen with the B30/B36-7 models, but I will live with it. Either a circuit board with bright white LEDs or a Lenz LE063XF decoder with bright white LEDS is factory installed. A Digitrax DN146A decoder can also be installed in place of the factory circuit card.