Measuring 60′-2″ over the pulling faces, the GP40X is a foot longer than the GP40-2. But the easiest way to tell the two units apart without a tape measure is to look at the radiator section. The GP40X has flared radiators, similar to those found on SD45s.
So who owned the GP40Xs? Four railroads: Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe (10); Southern Pacific (4); Southern Ry. (3, all high-nose units operated long nose forward); and Union Pacific (6).
Though only a handful of GP40Xs were produced, they can still be found in operation today on the BNSF Ry. and Canadian Pacific, among other railroads. The CP units are classified GP38-3s.
for Southern Pacific and Norfolk Southern. The paint on both models was smooth and evenly applied, and the printing was crisp and legible.
The SP model features numerous prototoype-specific details, including appropriate front and rear headlight and Mars light clusters, an SP-style rooftop bell, antenna stands, and an L-window cab. Though the model has a curved grab iron behind the rear radiator fan, it doesn’t have eyebolts.
The neatest features on the SP model are the injection-molded plastic “elephant ear” shrouds and the HT-B trucks. The shrouds, used to draw clean, cool air into the radiator to prevent the engine from overheating, were later removed.
The HT-B trucks are crisply molded with “HT-B” printed in the center and “70/17″ (the prototype’s gear ratio) on the upper right of the truck. Athearn used its regular four-axle truck mechanism on the GP40X, so the wheelbase is too short. It should be a scale 9′-91/2″ instead of 9′-3″. The 40″ diameter wheelsets should be 42”.
Our other sample, decorated for NS, closely matches prototype drawings published in the book Southern: A Motive Power Pictorial by Paul K. Withers and Tom L. Sink (P.K. Withers, 1987). The high-nose model is set up for long-hood forward operation and has a five-chime horn on each end and a bell mounted above the front headlights. The model has three 48″-diameter Q-fans over the radiator section and a single 48″-diameter flat-top dynamic brake fan. All of the fans are see-through with separate blades underneath.
The NS model has Blomberg-M trucks with 40″-diameter wheelsets. The smaller wheels are accurate for this style of truck.
Athearn used a 3,600-gallon injection-molded-plastic fuel tank on both models instead of the 3,500-gallon version found on the prototypes. In HO scale, the difference is hardly noticeable. The tank has well-executed fuel neck and sight- and fuel-gauge detail. Modeler-installed parts, such as an air box drain pipe, breather pipes, and sump drain, also are included.
The GP40X uses Athearn’s traditional five-pole skew-wound motor with dual brass flywheels and hex drive shafts. A Digital Command Control decoder Quick Plug is seated on top of the motor. Be careful when removing the shell, though, as the headlight wires are attached to the printed-circuit board, as shown below.
I tested our SP sample, which moved a scale 4.5 mph at 2.4V, and had a top speed of 91.3 scale mph. The starting speed will decrease once the model has been in service for a while. With a drawbar pull of 4.16 ounces, the model is capable of pulling 58 free-rolling freight cars on straight and level track.
Price: $89.98 to $99.98
Manufacturer
Athearn Trains
1550 Glenn Curtiss St.
Carson, CA 90746
www.athearn.com
Description:
Plastic and metal
Ready-to-Roll locomotive
Road names: BNSF Ry. (Heritage I), Norfolk Southern, Southern Pacific, St. Lawrence & Atlantic, Union Pacific, and undecorated (NS, SP, and UP versions)
Celcon handrails
Digital Command Control decoder Quick Plug
Directional headlights
Drawbar pull: 4.16 ounces
Engine weight: 173/4 ounces
Five-pole skew-wound motor with hex drive line
McHenry semi-scale magnetic knuckle couplers (mounted at the correct height)
Minimum radius: 18″
Modeler-installed fuel tank detail
Movable cab side windows
Railroad-specific details
RP-25 contour metal wheelsets, mounted in gauge
See-through fans
Snowplow
The GP40X is a fine locomotive I ordered one in NS #7000 and its doing a fine job It has good Quality and runs great the details are very good and all in all its well worth the money.
I have the SP #7200 GP40X and think it is a very beautiful model. I opted to not get the "elephant ears" on this one. I am quite surprised that the model's drawbar pull is relatively higher than that of the Athearn SD40T-2. The high adhesion trucks at work! The light clusters are fantastic on this model, particularly for SP.
I am surprised that the prototype had a whopping 3500 HP. This is massive for a 4 axle locomotive. I plan to use this GP40X as a switcher on my layout. That is until the SD50 (model also by Athearn) decides to prototypically break down. LOL
Athearn engines have many improvements over the last few years BUT I have stopped buying them for three reasons. #1 no attached windshield wipers. #2 Their headlight installation "taped and glued into the shell".
#3 time for a motor upgrade. If and when they equal the "Atlas quality" at the Atlas price level I will continue to buy Atlas only.
Engines that start moving, all of a sudden, at 4.5 MPH is not very realistic operation, the review did not say if it has a slower moving start on DCC instead of just DC. I,ve found that after use only 1 MPH or so slower start. Engine looks great, good paint. Thanks for letting me add my thoughts.
I have a southern railway gp 40x it runs great it pulls22 coal hoppers with no problem at all on a small layout with 22&18 %radius curves beautifuly the paint scheme is great but the imitation aluminum band around the locomotive look's more like a white band its#is 7000 southern had 3 units 7000-7002 all details are correct from the 5 chime horns to the high nose mounted bells ieven had the pleasure when i was younger to see
7000 run along the track @ my front door in virginia wow brings back memories
Hey guys, I'm with you Donald, though I like their body styles the running gear leaves a lot to be desired and for a few more dollars spent in this department they could corner the markets, thats the price that industry pays for letting bean counters take control.
Beautiful models. The SP 40X is an excellent running model-based upon personal experience.
Ch
Let's see them do the Orange & Black StL&A paint job and I'll start doing some serious drooling.
For the price,accuracy and detail, you really can't beat Athearn. I model SP and own 11 SD45T-2's. Remember, these engines represent thier Ready To Roll Line. For a few more dollers you can buy Athearn's Genesis Series, which are amazing.
Hey Guys,
As usual Athearn puts out a well detailed moded for the price. I don't like the elephant ears, it detracts from the side flare radaitors. Compared to the older rubber band drive models, you get some good band for the buck.
Old hand at SP.
Looking at other GP 40 engines from other manufatures, this comes behind atlas's GP 40 in second place
because of the comments D. Russoman made earlier about the lack of attached windshield wipers and unrealistic running gear, I will have to consider Atlas or maybe Tower 55 first, and pay a few more dollars. I particularly like that NS body style..
I own Santa Fe GP40X #3805 (Kodachrome) and it is a very great running locomotive. I haven't got a chance to test it's full potential because it's hard to make good money when your only 14 years old. I am planning on using the Feb. issue for 2008 on how to add working dcc ditch lights to EMD engines on it. I am also going to order another GP40X in SP (#7231.) I would give this engine a product rating of 10/10!
i am new to modeling so not to sure how or what to say,i like the way it looks and the info about makes it easy to choose on the units that i am planing to buy. the price is good .
I am not an SP Modeler, but I love RR history, and if a manufacturer can model specific, unique prototypes, like these 'eared' GP40X units, it can be a lot of fun. I agree that the RTR units lack some details and the 'fire -in-the-cab' headlight is ridiculous in this day and age(even for the RTR price) but that said, we certainly have upgrade options available, and plenty of MR 'how-to' articles, including how to add LED headlights. I can run with Mike and give it a '7'.
I liked the SP version that I purchased. It could have done with air hoses on the front and better instructions for the bag of detail parts that come with the model. Its distinctive look draws favourable comment from those that visit my layout.
Overall however I'd happily give it 7 out of 10.
Interesting machine but a little price distant for me. I have been retired for 19 years and my "Fixed income" Pension's purch power ( VIA inflation ) is diminished by about 60% so that the price tag of $100 is to me in real dollars about $150 to $200.
Come up with a Sr consideration and all would be well if I could get the ADV item for $50 bucks..
Thanks for listening,
Ol Dick Huff from Balto Md
Some years ago I bought the RPP shell for this engine, but found enough "rough edges" to make of it a major project, the outcome of which seemed less than worthy of optimism. I will probably end up buying this model, in Union Pacific dress, from Athearn. Probably at an upcoming show, where prices will be favorable