The Athearn Trains DDA40X Centennial features two motors and two SoundTraxx Tsunami Digital Command Control (DCC) sound decoders. See and hear this HO scale model of the world’s largest diesel-electric locomotive in action on the Model Railroader staff’s club model train layout, the Milwaukee, Racine & Troy.
Video: Athearn Trains HO DDA40X Centennial diesel
By Angela Cotey | September 24, 2012
| Last updated on January 29, 2021
See this Digital Command Control (DCC) sound equipped HO scale diesel-electric locomotive run on the Model Railroader staff's model train layout
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Also in this review we get a sneak peak at Winter Hill Mine the 2013 project layout.
The DDA40X is oe of my favorite locomotives
I purchased one after looking at the others. It works very well out of the box. Pulled 40 cars up a 3% grade and sounds, Great. I want an other for the pair.. A great model..
Thanks Athearn..
This is probably THE best locomotive Athearn has ever put out!I bought two of them and plan to run them on a mixed freight for the Delmarva Model Railroad Club's open house. I'm curious how the public will notice them in action! Again, a GREAT job from Athearn.
I bought the non-sound version for DC power. It runs quite nicely and pulls exceptionally well, even better than the brass Overland Model DD40AX that I bought new a few years ago. The Overland model does have more detail on it than the Athearn, but it should, being twice the price.
For the person that was thinking of buying the Bachmann version. I have two of those and they run fine, but they do not have the pulling power that this Athearn model does.
I have not tried to see what the maximum number of cars this locomotive will pull on my layout, but it is at least 18 and that includes up the 2.5% grade I have on part of the layout.
The only nit pick I have is that the strobe light above the cab does not flash like the prototype did and that my Bachmann models do when moving. It just shines steady.
Very nice sound indeed! But why two sound decoders? I'm guessing because the DD40X had two engines, so they put 2 decoders in the model. Beautiful model, but if I ever want a DD40X on my layout, I think I will save the money and get one from Bachmann. But if I had the cash, I would surely get this one!
I have two questions…
(a) What is the purpose of the open walkway? Safety?
Access?
(b) What is the purpose of the pentagon shaped sheild on
the side of the unit towards the end?
Thank you in advance for your help.
Cody's presentations are great and I try to see them all. I also like your other video offerings. Your quality is great and it always leaves you wanting more. Thanks for your development of on line information.
Interesting note. In the written review, drawbar pull is listed as 5 ounces. Another review in the same issue for the MP54 showed a pull of 4 ounces for one unit (two traction tires). So two MP54s can handily outpull a DD40. Ah, the strange results of scaling down prototypes to models.
great looking engine, have to agree with others about the sound. I also have one from back in early 70s', and it still runs good why is older one a lot shorter than new one.
on my wish list from santa
Model seems to be jerky at slow speed and i hear 20-30 trains a day by my home and I never heard a diesel sound like that … hmmm more like a turbine – high frequency sounds vs the lower frequency sounds a low rpm diesel makes especally under heavy load . Seem for fthe money they could get the sound closer to proto type especally in HO where they have the room for better speakers as well.
What a leap from kitbashing the DD40 30+ years ago! Bought 2 units at the National Train Show in Grand Rapids, MI. Once the wheelsets were re-guaged to NMRA specs., they ran fine on my 30" curves. Looks great with the U-50s.
Athearn does it again! Another fine example from the all time best Model RR Manufacturer.
I'm waiting for the next release myself.
#6936 ?
Great model!
Beautiful locomotive. Minimum radius would be 30 inches I assume. Sound quality sounds excellent.
this has a turbine sound vs a deep throated twin diesel. why is this?????
I remember watching these giant locos pulling the short mine cars throw Sandy, Utah, I also remember seeing a whole fleet of them in Salt Lake City waiting for "the torch"
Also remember seeing U.P. Bigboys waiting to be cut up at the Genevea Steel Plant (no longer there) in Orem, Utah. Where was my camera? at home.
Great engine sound, What is the min turn radius?
Did anyone notice the quick start. Seemed to almost jump.
Didn't look very prototypical. Same old same old Tsunami sounds too.
I had the first version about 40 years ago. This is quite an improvement, especially the running quality and sound.
Great looking and sound to boot! Too large for my layout, but I love it !
what a beautiful engine the price athern has is a little high if you ask me there is a DCC sound model from bachmann but the detail level drops. any way it is awesome
Amazing! I wonder if they could actually put 70 freight cars behind it.
Really is quite the unit – looks to be about 16-18 inches in length … certainly big power. Was surprised that it didnot move more gradually from a stop – seemed to jump to presumably 3.5 scale mph. The cab-mounted beacon is supposed to flash (something like a mars light?) but I couldn't detect this from the video. Very impressive – wish I could run it on my layout but is too big.