Atlas 40005630 N Providence & Worcester GP38 Low Nose Locomotive 2011 DCC/Sound

Atlas high quality N Scale locomotive is modeled after Electro Motive Division's 2000 horsepower GP-38 diesel introduced in the late 1960s and built through the early 1970s and is still in service today throughout North America. The GP-38 is usually identified by its two radiator fans located on top of the long hood and two small exhaust stacks.

The GP-40 was produced the Electro Motive Division in the late 1960s and early 1970s, the GP-40 was a 3000 horsepower locomotive best characterized by the three full size radiator fans on the rear of the roof.

Features:

• Directional lighting
• Walkway safety tread
• Blackened metal wheels
• Scale Speed™ motor
• Factory-equipped with AccuMate® knuckle couplers
• Dynamic brakes (as appropriate by railroad)
• Golden-white LEDs

Silver Sound Ready

• Atlas Silver Sound Ready models are equipped with a speaker for easy conversion to sound with the addition of a decoder.

DCC Operation Features GOLD LOCOMOTIVES ONLY)

• Supports all DCC-programming modes
• DCC includes RailCom and RailComPlus, with 14, 28 or 128 speed steps and with 2-digit and 4-digit addressing.
• Flexible mapping of function keys F0 to F28.
• A total of 6 DCC function outputs are available, and all can be function mapped (disable, brightness, light effects) individually
• Follows all NMRA DCC standards and recommended practices.

ESU LokSound Features (GOLD LOCOMOTIVES ONLY):

• Over 20 sound effects are available, including engine start-up and shutdown, prime mover sounds through all eight notches, bell, air horn, air compressor, dynamic brakes and more.
• There are up to 16 user-selectable horns, 2 user-selectable bells, and 2 user-selectable synchronized brake squeals.
• Manual and Automatic Notching modes with the ability to change modes ”on the fly” are provided for true realism.

AccuMate® couplers are made under license from AccuRail, Inc.

History

The EMD GP38 is a four-axle diesel-electric locomotive built by Electro-Motive Division (EMD) between 1966 and 1971. It was designed as a medium-horsepower, general-purpose locomotive for freight service.

Key Specifications:

• Manufacturer: Electro-Motive Division (EMD)

• Production Years: 1966–1971

• Engine Type: EMD 16-645E (16-cylinder, normally aspirated diesel)

• Horsepower: 2,000 hp (1,490 kW)

• Wheel Arrangement: B-B (four axles, two per truck)

• Top Speed: Around 65–70 mph (105–113 km/h)

• Fuel Capacity: Typically 2,600–3,000 gallons (varies by railroad)

• Tractive Effort: 61,000 lbf (271 kN) starting

Variants:

• GP38-2 (improved version with a microprocessor control system, built 1972–1986)

• GP38AC (alternative electrical system)

• GP38M, GP38-3, etc. (rebuilt versions by railroads and leasing companies)

Low Nose vs. High Nose:

• Early GP38s were built with high noses, especially for railroads in the Southeastern U.S. (like Norfolk & Western).

• Later models, especially those built in the 1970s, featured a low nose for improved visibility.

• Many older high-nose GP38s have been modified into low-nose configurations.

Operators:

• Class I Railroads (historically used by Conrail, Southern Railway, Seaboard Coast Line, etc.)

• Short Lines & Regionals (Still widely used today by many smaller railroads)

• Industrial Railroads (Popular for switching and light freight work)

The GP38 series remains one of the most reliable and long-lasting locomotive types, with many still in use today. Would you like details on a specific railroad’s GP38 fleet?