It is a crazy and wonderful O gauge market where a hobby shop can have Atlas O make a custom-run of an MTH locomotive in a contemporary Canadian livery! Well done to all involved in making this happen!
Interesting origins
After American railroads gave up on passenger traffic and a national passenger network run by Amtrak was created, new locomotion was needed to replace those long in the tooth E7s and E8s. The first new diesel, the six-axle SDP40F (a variation based on the venerable SD40-2) wasn’t a success. Fortunately Amtrak was thinking ahead and had a design for a shorter-range four-axle diesel in the pipeline. Based on the successful GP-40, the F40PH was born and entered Amtrak service 49 years ago.
The boxy locomotive may not have created romantic visions of high-speed traffic dashing cross-country, but it was reliable, and became point power for not just Amtrak, but several U.S. and Canadian commuter railways and Amtrak’s Northern cousin, VIA Rail Canada!
EMD produced more than 400 and after their production ceased; F40PHs were erected or rebuilt by both Morris-Knudsen and MotivePower between 1988 and 1998. As time passed, some commuter railways F40PH’s were converted to cab control units, with a manned powered locomotive on one end and a control unit for the return trip, thus avoiding additional locomotive handling.
VIA Rail enthusiastically embraced the engine and made a sizable capital investment that included new head end power generators, refurbished prime movers, and other quality improvements. In 2024 VIA initiated a further improvement program to extend their operational life to 2035!
Opening the box
For a locomotive roughly shaped like an Amazon delivery van, this model packs quite a bit of easy to appreciate detailing.
The pilot features a snow plow, while flashing red ditch lights accentuate the headlight and classification lights. There are fourteen white grab irons on the nose. Sand filler caps can be spotted on the right and left of the nose.
The windshields have two wiper arms on each pane, and brightly illuminated number boards assure you won’t miss what is barreling down the track. The cab is illuminated and is manned by two crew figures. I liked the fact that both cab doors actually open.
The cab roof features HVAC gear, and communications antennas. Twelve add-on lift rings are appropriately located and a horn is just behind the smoke unit. The four radiators have see-through screens (yes, fan blades are visible). Just below on both sides you’ll spot see-through metal screens.
The sides have ample cast-in detailed for rivets, hinges, and structural supports. The detailing doesn’t get in the way regarding the livery. The blue, gray, and yellow paint flows flawlessly along the sides. Lettering is clean and sharp.
The rear platform has handrails running up from track level. The deck has safety tread. The brakeman’s side has seven grab irons running up to the roof.
Below the deck you’ll spot air and multiple unit lines. In the center is an opening door with a round porthole. A nifty detail is a red fire extinguisher symbol above the window. Above that you’ll spot the backup lights. The safety rails have a safety chain.
In short, this cab unit packs in the detail, from front to rear.
On the test track
Although a passenger locomotive, this model delivered great performance hauling freight or passenger trains. This model packs some heft, which allows it to dig in and move some cars.
Equipped with MTH’s ProtoSound 3.0 Sound and Digital Command System, the sound and smoke unit respond well at startup. It sounds great from initial crank-up through shutdown.
Operation was smooth in low or high speed running.
Our low speed range was 4.92 scale mph in command mode and 5.55 scale mph in conventional mode. Our high speed measurement was 84.01 scale miles per hour. If I had another four or five feet of straight track, it probably would have topped 90.
Our drawbar pull was a solid 1 pound, 5 ounces.
It features remotely controlled front and rear couplers, and a smoke unit that pumps out the exhaust in no time at all. In short it looks great, sounds great, and the lighting package makes it stand out in operation.
A tip of the hat to Kent Johnson who ordered this bad boy from Mr. Muffin’s Trains and allowed us to put it through the paces!
Check out www.mrmuffinstrains.com for the shop’s full range of both cataloged and special run O gauge trains.
Atlas O Premier F40PH-2 (custom run for Mr. Muffin’s, 3013829S)
Features: Proto-Sound 3.0, onboard DCS/DCC decoder, O-36 operation, 2 remote-controlled Proto-Couplers, detachable snow plow, moveable roof fans, lighted LED cab and number boards
MSRP: $639.95
Website: mrmuffinstrains.com
Read a review of the K-Line version.
Read a review of the Lionel version.
