Review by Clem Harris/Model Photos by Tony Cook
Atlas Model Railroad Co. recently delivered a production of N scale GP39-2 locomotives. This is one of two offerings in Atlas’ Master Line collection, the other is a later production GP39-2 Phase II. This review will examine two samples from the latest run of GP39-2 Phase I offerings.
Electro-Motive Division’s (EMD) GP39-2 is a four-axle locomotive that debuted in 1974 and was part of the builder’s “Dash 2” product line. The Dash 2 series used modular electronic systems and other upgrades on existing locomotive models in EMD’s line; though horsepower increases were not part of the revision as the model would maintain their horsepower ratings. The GP39-2 was rated at 2,300 horsepower and had slightly better fuel economy than other EMD locomotives of the era in part to its turbo-charged prime mover that featured a 12-cylinder version of the 645 prime mover.
Five railroads and two mining operations originally bought GP39-2s. The railroad buyers were Burlington Northern, Delaware & Hudson (D&H), Missouri-Kansas-Texas, Reading Railroad, and Santa Fe. The mining operations of Kennecott Utah Copper Corporation and Phelps Dodge Corporation each bought one GP39-2. A total of 239 were built during the production run from 1974 to 1984. Santa Fe purchased the most GP39-2s with an order for 106. Many are still running on BNSF Railway, CSX, and Union Pacific.
ABOVE: Delaware & Hudson GP38-2 7420 at Mechanicville, N.Y., on September 7, 1980. D&H bought new EMD GP39-2s and picked up secondhand Reading GP39-2s. Atlas’ model reproduces GP39-2s of Reading heritage and two road numbers are offered: 7402 and 7420. —Kevin EuDaly collection
Reading Railroad purchased 20 GP39-2s, numbered 3401–3420, in November 1974. In 1976, the group of Reading units wound up on Delaware & Hudson in the events that lead up to the formation of Conrail. Once on Delaware & Hudson’s roster, the former Reading GP39-2s were renumbered to D&H 7401–7420. Some retained various portions of their Reading paint, while others wound up being repainted fully in a mostly blue with yellow ends scheme, as Atlas’ model of D&H 7420 accurately represents. CSX has kept most of these locomotives on its roster and in service.
I am a big fan of these Atlas four axle switchers, especially with the revisions that Atlas has made to the mechanisms over the last few years. The colors and printing are true to the Delaware and Hudson paint scheme. The printing is clear and crisp. This model represents the era after the engine was Delaware and Hudson’s and repainted into their simplified scheme. The model features Accumate-style couplers that worked with other manufacturer’s couplers without issue in testing. Couplers were at the correct height when checked with a height gauge.
ABOVE: This Atlas N scale GP39-2 diesel locomotive arrives fully-assembled and ready for work. The Gold edition of this Master release is equipped with DCC-sound, while the Silver version is sound- and DCC-ready and set up for standard DC operation.
The model received for testing was a Silver DC version. The mechanism was smooth and quiet. I found a low-end speed of 1.5 scale mph at 1.14 volts and high-end speed measured 134 scale mph. I have one of these GP39-2s in my own collection and was able to easily add DCC to this example and speed match with my other GP39-2; this adjustment keeps the top speed more prototypical. ESU DCC options for sound include their 58925 or 59925 for non-sound DCC. Digitrax has either a SDXN1137E24 for sound or DN1137E24 without sound. Zimo series has a sound option with a part number of MS540E24 and MN140E24 without sound. This locomotive was able to pull 20 cars without any challenges.
One minor quibble is Atlas offers a single-size fuel tank. These locomotives were introduced in an era when rail-roads ordered various size tanks. The prototype possessed a slightly smaller fuel tank than what’s provided on the model. Overall, I was very happy with this model and pleased with the pulling effort from a four-axle locomotive. It’s small, but it’s mighty.
Atlas Model Railroad Co.
N-scale Master Line
GP39-2 Phase I diesel locomotive
Silver Edition (standard DC) Delaware & Hudson 7420
40 005 904, $144.95
Atlas Model Railroad Co.
378 Florence Ave.
Hillside, NJ 07205
