Atlas Model Railroad Co. Product Review

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This review appeared in the October, 2001 issue of Railroad Model Craftsman Magazine. Reproduced with permission of Carstens Publications.

GE DASH 8-40B LOCOMOTIVE: HO SCALE

Review by: Ken Goslett

Atlas has raised the bar with its latest HO scale diesel locomotive release, the General Electric Dash 8-40B (B40-8). A combination of a smooth, quite drive, an accurately-scaled shell, and a wealth of factory-applied super detailing has yielded a superb model of a popular 1980’s prototype.

General Electric built the first example of its Dash 8 line of locomotives in 1983, the same year that its locomotive production exceeded that of General Motors for the first time. During 1984, further microprocessor control of engine functions and a unitized approach to the design of air and electrical compartments ensured that GE would remain North America’s leading locomotive builder.

The Dash 8 series offered 12 to 16-cylinder prime movers of 3,200 h.p. and 3,900/4,000 h.p., respectively, in four to six-axle locomotives. The higher-horse-power four-axle models were intended for high speed piggyback service and identified initially as B39-8E units and subsequently, with a 100 horsepower increase, as B40-8 models. All B-B trucked versions of the Dash-8 line rode on high-adhesion floating bolster FB-2 trucks.

As might be expected, Santa Fe, the rail industry’s intermodal leader, acquired the first three B39-8E units. In reality, these were test beds and had different cabs and radiator sections from the 140 production B39-8E units that followed. Forty of these went to the Southern Pacific and 100 to Burlington Northern on a long-term lease from LMX Leasing.

By 1988, the model designation had changed to B40-8 and another 150 copies were outshopped. Santa Fe received 40 handsome units in blue and yellow. Thirty appeared in Conrail blue, while 55 arrived in SP gray but lettered Cotton Belt. A single unit was sold to the Department of Energy and moved to their Savannah River site.

However, among rail photographers, the most sought-after B40-8’s were 24 units decked out in the striking black and yellow colors of New York, Susquehanna & Western. Twenty of these “yellow jackets” were acquired with the financial backing of CSX and operated on Sea-Land double-stack trains over the Conrail’s former Erie Lackawanna main line through the state of New York. When that traffic declined, they reverted to CSX ownership and were painted in the CSX blue and gray paint scheme. CSX ultimately acquired more B40-8’s as their share of the former Conrail motive power, as did Norfolk Southern. A few surplus B39-8E units found their way onto the roster of BC Rail, and the LMX units are completing their lease to Burlington Northern.

During 1990, comfort cabs were applied to Dash 8-40B production to create the B40-8W, again for Santa Fe. At that point, production of the regular cab B40-8 ceased. For a detailed analysis of the B39-8E/B40-8 locomotives, consult the January 1994, RMC.

The Atlas HO model uses a styrene shell over a metal drive chassis. The shell’s excellent pattern work is dimensionally accurate and its combination of subtle relief for hood doors with deeper grilles and louvers gives the model an extremely realistic appearance. Prototypical accuracy is the further enhanced by a multitude of factory-installed details.

Radio and end-of-train antennas adorn the cab roof, while a scale-sized horn rides atop the long hood. Grab irons on the rear of the locomotive and hand rails on the short hood are free standing, as are the windshield wipers. The wipers on the cab windows above the short nose are connected by a tie bar, just as they are on the real GE units.

The applied details continue with a beacon light over the headlight on prototype units so equipped. Multiple-unit hoses, an m.u. cable and coupler cut levers grace both the front and rear pilots. To further authenticate the model, a snowplow is affixed to the front pilot as well.

Atlas’ attention to detail continues below the deck, with sand hoses, brake cylinders, air lines, damper struts, handbrake chain and a speed recorder cable attached to, but not cast into, the trucks. The molded detail on the FB-2 truck sideframes includes pedestal liners and an excellent representation of the rubber blocks that comprise the prototype’s primary and secondary suspension.

What Atlas has given modelers is a super-detailed HO diesel locomotive right out of the box. Even the side handrails are in place on the model and the purchaser need only apply the car sunshades and end handrails. These are packaged separately in the box to protect them during shipment. In the January 1994, RMC, Carter Osborne listed 30 parts that he applied to a raw Dash 8-40B shell to create an accurate model. With the exception of the roof top air conditioner found on ATSF and SP/Cotton Belt units, every one of these parts is included with, or installed on, the Atlas model.

The drive unit powering the Atlas Dash 8-40B excels as well. It goes almost without saying that the model has a high quality can motor, dual fly-wheels and all-wheel drive and pick-up. But Atlas breaks new ground by mounting the motor on rubber grommets for silent, vibration-free operation.

Performance is outstanding. Never before has this reviewer tested a model locomotive that begins moving when only one volt of current is applied to the rails. The one volt of electricity was pure d.c. current and not a spike enhanced pulse intended to coax a hesitant motor to life. The Atlas Dash 8-40B needs no artificial encouragement. It glides into action and sustains a speed of less than three s.m.p.h. By six volts it reaches 35 s.m.p.h. and records a prototypical 70 s.m.p.h. at the recommended 12 volts. Measured current drain varied between 0.20 amps while running light and 0.40 amps while stalled on a grade with a heavy train.

Operating apparently effortlessly, it pulls strongly, doubtlessly due to its 17.4 ounce weight. No tracking sensitivity through the turnouts, over rail joints and uneven cross level was observed. Its Accumate plastic knuckle couplers are accurately gauged above the rail. These can be replaced with other brands if the modeler desires.

A DCC receiver is factory installed in every locomotive and switching to command control is easy. There is no need to remove the shell because the radiator section pops off the rear of the long hood, revealing a small four-pronged, jumper plug. Beneath the plug is a socket with six holes. As delivered, the plug is inserted into the center holes and the two holes toward the front of the locomotive. By lifting it up and moving it to the rear so that it inserts into the center and rear pair of holes, the model switches to DCC operation. A clear set of instructions explains this with diagrams and is included beneath the foam packing in the box.

Atlas offers the Dash 8-40B painted for all the prototype railroad owners. Multiple road numbers are therefore offered in Santa Fe, Conrail, SCX, LMX (for BN), New York Susquehanna & Western, Norfolk Southern (from Conrail), Cotton Belt (for SP) and Union Pacific.

Decorating is meticulous and accurate, with crisp printing over the smooth painting. General Electric is famous for covering their products in safety and warning stickers. Atlas has followed suit and even includes trust plate stencils and a builder’s plate. Samples decorated for Union Pacific, Cotton Belt, LMX and CSX were examined and were awesome.

The Atlas Dash 8-40B is an excellent model offering in all regards. There seems to be no limit to the improvements that come with each new model and this is one is at the top of the heap. For a list price of $139.95, Atlas is offering an HO locomotive model that five years ago would have been the exclusive output of only the most experienced modelers and custom painters. We are truly spoiled, and we love it. – KEN GOSLETT