This week we photographed an Atlas GP38-2 for the Model:160 Gallery as we continue our project to document available N Scale models.
Available N Scale Models
Prototype
As an upgrade to the GP38, EMD introduced the four-axle, non-turbo charged GP38-2 in January of 1972. Electrical upgrades and an EMD 645E 16 cylinder engine combined to produce 2000 horsepower. You can spot a GP38-2 by the sight glass present in the long hood (engineer’s side) and the battery box covers which are bolted instead of hinged as on the earlier GP38 models.
2,215 GP38-2’s were delivered by the time production ceased in 1986.
N Scale Models
Atlas first released their N scale GP38-2 in September of 2006 with three additional runs having followed to date. Atlas shared Union Pacific #510, the unit pictured here, which is part number 47690 from their latest run. The model features a modern UP scheme with yellow safety sill striping and lots of finely printed warning labels. We were especially impressed by the presence of a label on the front of the cab door. The now standard split frame mechanism resides under the plastic body shell, and is set to accept a drop-in, lightboard style DCC decoder.
Other Schemes
The Wikipedia article linked below has a good overview of the railroads which owned GP38-2’s. We’ve also provided a link to search GP38-2 photos on RailPictures.net which are 10,000+ in number. With 2,215 engines built, there are a ton of colorful schemes these wore over the years.
Links & Resources
More Information
As always, if you have more information to share about this particular engine, or want to share your detailed N scale model, please let us knows so we can keep this resource up-to-date.