HOrailroading

Model Railroad Review by Paul Ellis

Like many other model railroaders, I was surprised when Atlas announced at the October 2000 Hobby Show that their next new HO scale locomotive release would be the GE B40-8.   Most had assumed that any new release would be another GE U-boat or Dash-7 series unit, or an SD35 to complement their N-scale version.    The announcement was greeted with enthusiasm nonetheless, since HO scale modelers would be getting another state-of-the-art model of a modern GE.    Expectations were high, and I’m glad to say Atlas delivered!

The prototype B40-8 (or Dash 8-40B) was introduced in 1988 as an improved version of GE’s B39-8 model.   The four-axle, 4,000hp B40-8 was primarily intended for high-speed intermodal service, and quickly found acceptance with large railroads in that capacity.   By the time B40-8 production ended, a total of 151 units had been built for eight railroads (plus one industrial), with mergers and sales over the years adding to the roadname mix.   Most of the B40-8’s built are still in service, the few retired ones being victims of wrecks.

Shell detail is excellent, and the model includes many separate details, such as radio antennas, warning beacon (appropriate for most as-delivered units), metal grab irons, sandfillers, MU hoses, MU cables, underframe air filter, sand lines, brake cylinder lines, windshield wipers, parking brake chain, coupler cut levers, and cab sunshades.   Separate, see-through grills are provided for the top of the radiator.   The model comes with Accu-Mate® knuckle couplers installed, but the coupler boxes will readily accept X2f “horn-hook” couplers (included), or Kadee® #5, or #58 “scale” couplers.   Basic shell detailing seems to closely match units ordered by Conrail and Susquehanna, which specified red marker lights front and rear.   Detail-oriented modelers may want to remove them if they wish to more closely match different roads’ practices.    Handrails are nice and thin, and made from breakage-resistant acetyl plastic.    The paint jobs on the painted samples I examined also looked excellent, with accurate colors and sharp lettering.

This locomotive performs as good as it looks.   My sample started and ran smoothly throughout all the speed ranges on my throttle, with no noticeable noise.    The unit also has directional lighting, although it seems somewhat dim. In tests at my model railroad club, the B40-8 showed it is an excellent puller.   My sample easily pulled a short (about 18 car lengths), loaded intermodal train up and around my clubs layout, with no slipping or stalling on our +2% grades.   Hardly a scientific test, but it should give some idea of how much they can handle.   As with all new Atlas Master Series© releases, the model comes equipped with a DCC decoder (the unit is set to run on analog out of the box).    Unfortunately, I don’t have access to a DCC-equipped layout, so I wasn’t able to test that feature.

My only gripes with the model are relatively minor ones that only more detail-conscious modelers might notice.  The side radiator intakes have the radiator fan and motor guard detail molded into the side of it, and doesn’t really capture the appearance of the prototype, in my opinion.    It would have looked much better if Atlas had either left it off, or provided see-through screens with the separate fan guard inside.   Despite this, the Atlas B40-8 is an excellent addition to their HO scale product line, and will find homes with many model railroaders that model from 1988 to the present; I know I’ll need several more for my Southern Pacific and Cotton Belt modeling needs