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This review was taken from the October, 2000 issue of Model Railroading Magazine and is reproduced with permission of Highlands Station, Inc., Aurora, CO.

Atlas EMD GP40

Review by Rich Picariello

The 3,000-hp GP40 was introduced by EMD in 1965. By the end of production in 1971, 1,201 units had been sold in the U.S., 18 units to Mexico and 24 units to Canada. The GP40 could be ordered with or without dynamic brakes and with a choice of fuel-tank capacities. In later years, many GP40s were rebuilt by either the original owner or by a diesel rebuilder. Others were sold to shortlines or other Class 1 railroads. Mergers also put units into the rosters of railroads that may or may not have originally acquired the GP40. For more information on the roads which rostered the GP40s, refer to George Melvin’s currently ongoing series in Model Railroading.

Those who have been in the hobby since the late 1960s may remember the original Atlas GP40 that was imported from Roco. Other Roco models imported by Atlas at that time were the SD35, GP38 and SD24 (ConCor now makes improved versions of these models in the U.S.). All four set new standards in detail, finish and operation when they were first introduced. Atlas has released an all-new GP40 model that sets high standards for detail and quality.

Features of the GP40 are:

  • Trucks have metal brake-cylinder air lines, separately applied brake cylinders and hangers
  • Cab interior w/ painted engineer & fireman figures
  • All-wheel drive and electrical pickup
  • 5-pole skew-wound motor w/dual brass flywheels
  • 2,600- or 3,600-gal. Fuel tank to match the prototype
  • Accumate couplers installed; X2F couplers in the box
  • Thin, nearly scale-sized handrails
  • Walkway safety tread
  • Directional lighting: DCC ready

The level of detail included on these models exceeds that found on most manufacturers’ regular line of diesel models and is equal to, and in some cases surpasses, the detailing found on locomotives in other manufacturers’ premier lines. Separate factory-applied detail parts are windshield wipers, operating drop steps, metal grab irons, brake ratchet, fuel-tank fillers, bell, air tanks, lift rings, coupler lift bars, air hoses and MU hoses. Included in a bag to be installed by the modeler are an electrical filter box, plow, pilot handrails, two roof vents and sunshades. A list in the instructions indicates what parts are to be installed to match the prototypes. Dimples for drilling to allow mounting these parts are located inside the shell at various locations. The shell must be removed from the underframe to access the drill locations; the coupler boxes must be removed before the shell will come off. Liquid plastic cement will secure the parts. Other detail parts from the detail manufacturers can be added to make the locomotive more prototype railroad specific.

The model weighs about 15 ounces and runs exceptionally well with smooth operation through all speed ranges.

Our sample is decorated for Conrail. The paint is smoothly applied, and the large white Conrail logo is straight and sharp. All other lettering is legible and sharp, Handrails are painted white at the step areas, which is a first on any decorated model, step edges are also white.

Roadnames are BN; CN; Chessie System; Chicago, Burlington & Quincy; Conrail; Denver & Rio Grande Western; Louisville & Nashville; Southern Pacific; Western Pacific and undecorated. The undecorated unit comes with dynamic and non-dynamic brake panels. There are two road number per road names plus an unnumbered model. The price is $119.95. GP38s in standard and high nose models and a GP40 high-nose version will be offered shortly; all of these units will come equipped with a factory-installed Atlas Dual-Mode Decoder.