HO GEN GP38-2 Locomotive, RI 'The Rock Islander' #4300
Pre-Order | Releasing March 2027

HO GEN GP38-2 Locomotive, RI 'The Rock Islander' #4300

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Athearn Genesis - ATHG-2654
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ATHEARN GENESIS HO EMD GP38-2 LOCOMOTIVE PROTOTYPE AND BACKGROUND INFO:

By the early 1970s, many first generation diesels were reaching the end of their service lives. The most common replacement locomotive became the GP38-2. EMD began production of the 16-cylinder, non-turbocharged, 2000 horsepower engine in 1972. Unlike the GP38's engine, which drove a generator to supply power to the traction motors, the GP38-2s prime mover drove an alternator which produced AC electrical current that was rectified to DC to power the four traction motors. Another major change for the GP38-2 was the introduction of the “dash 2” modular electrical cabinet. For more than 40 years, the GP38- 2 has worked main line freights, locals, switching jobs, yard service, helpers, snow fighting trains, and hump power. Many remain in service today.

GP38-2 SERIES LOCOMOTIVE NEW FEATURES:

  • Operating Class Lights (Where equipped based on prototype)
  • Operating Number boards (Where equipped based on prototype)

GENESIS DIESEL LOCOMOTIVE FEATURES:

  • Coupler cut levers
  • Trainline hose
  • Full cab interior
  • Windshield wipers
  • Wire grab irons
  • MU hoses
  • See-through cab windows
  • Walkway tread
  • Lift rings
  • Sander lines
  • DCC-ready features Quick Plug™ plug-and-play technology with 21-pin NEM connector
  • Fine-scale Celcon handrails for scale appearance
  • Detailed fuel tank with fuel fillers, fuel gauges, & breather pipes
  • Body-mounted McHenry® operating scale knuckle couplers
  • Genesis driveline with 5-pole skew wound motor, precision machined flywheels, and multi-link drivetrain for trouble free operation
  • All-wheel drive with precision gears for smooth and quiet operation
  • All-wheel electrical pickup provides reliable current flow
  • Wheels with RP25 contours operate on all popular brands of track
  • LED Lighting for trouble free operation
  • Heavy die-cast frame for greater traction and more pulling power
  • Scaled from prototype resources including drawings, field measurements, photographs, and more
  • Accurately-painted and –printed paint schemes
  • Packaging securely holds the model for safe storage
  • Minimum radius: 18”

SOUND-EQUIPPED MODELS ALSO FEATURE:

  • Onboard DCC decoder with SoundTraxx Tsunami2 sound
  • Dual cube speakers for optimal sound quality
  • Sound units operate in both DC and DCC
  • Full DCC functions available when operated in DCC mode
  • All functions NMRA compatible in DCC mode
  • Precision slow speed control
  • Program a multiple unit (MU) lashup with lead unit only horn, bell, and lights
  • Many functions can be altered via Configuration Value (CV) changes
  • CV chart included in the box

PRIMED FOR GRIME MODELS FEATURE:

  • Duplicated look and feel of “In Service” equipment
  • Faded base colors matched to the prototype
  • Perfect starting point for adding grime and rust

ROAD NUMBER SPECIFIC FEATURES:

  • #2108: Front anticlimber, rear drop step, All-weather window, Blomberg-M trucks, “Mushroom” vent on nose, Phase Ia body
  • #2343: Front and rear drop steps, Blomberg-B trucks, Phase I body
  • #2108: Front anticlimber, rear drop step, All-weather window, Blomberg-M trucks, “Mushroom” vent on nose, Phase Ia body
  • #2343: Front and rear drop steps, Blomberg-B trucks, Phase I body
  • #4300: Chickenwire radiator grills, EMD snowplow front and rear, “The Rock Islander” lettering
  • #4310: Corrugated radiator grills, EMD snowplow front and rear, “The American Railfan” lettering
  • #4319: Corrugated radiator grills, Hose tray front and rear, “Illinois” lettering
  • #4325: Corrugated radiator grills, Hose tray front and rear, “Nebraska” lettering

BN FEATURES:

  • RS-3L horn on cab roof
  • Standard-range dynamic brakes
  • EMD style plow
  • “Mushroom” vent on nose
  • Ditch Lights

BNSF FEATURES:

  • RS-3L horn on cab roof
  • Standard-range dynamic brakes
  • EMD style plow
  • “Mushroom” vent on nose
  • Ditch Lights

SOO FEATURES:

  • Late Phase IIb body with Q-fans
  • Non-dynamic, with additional grab irons on engine compartment roof
  • Winterization hatch over #1 radiator fan
  • Large snowplow
  • Cab-mounted strobed (flash effect on DCC+Sound version)
  • Angled PAF (Paper Air Filter Box)
  • Simulated stainless-steel kick plates on cab steps
  • Rectangular cab vent

SOO FEATURES:

  • Front and rear ditch lights
  • Replacement battery box doors
  • Other general details similar to other Soo Line units in this release

BM FEATURES:

  • Phase Ia body
  • No dynamic brakes
  • EMD style plow
  • 3600 gallon fuel tank
  • Blomberg-M trucks

KCS FEATURES:

  • Former TPW units
  • Phase II body
  • No dynamic brakes
  • Angled PAF (Paper Air Filter) box
  • Gyralight on nose
  • 2600 gallon fuel tank

IAIS FEATURES:

  • Phase Ia body
  • Ditch lights
  • EMD style plow
  • 2600 gallon fuel tank
  • Blomberg-B trucks
  • Stripe placement on cab steps (varies per road number)

RI FEATURES:

  • “As-delivered” 1976 appearance
  • 5-Chime Horn
  • 2600-gallon fuel tank
  • Coupler cut levers with looped ends

LV FEATURES:

  • “As-delivered” 1973 appearance
  • Chickenwire radiator grills
  • EMD snowplow on front
  • Hose tray and footboards on rear
  • Leslie 3-chime horn
  • 3200-gallon fuel tank
  • Straight coupler cut levers

EMDX FEATURES:

  • Phase Ia body
  • Standard range dynamic brakes
  • 2600 gallon fuel tank
  • Blomberg-B trucks
  • Different paint schemes for each prototype road number

Product Specs

Axles
4
Coupler Style
McHenry Scale Knuckle
DCC
Ready/21-Pin NEM
Era
1971-1990,1991-2009,2010-Present Day
Full Road Name
Rock Island
Lighting
LED
Minimum Radius
18
Prototype Manufacturer
EMD
Reporting Mark
RI
Scale
HO
Sub Brand
GENESIS
Wheel Configuration
B-B

Compatibility

No results for your given fitment filters
The “Bankruptcy Blue” paint scheme first appeared on the Rock Island in 1976, approximately one year after the road had filed for bankruptcy. First appearing on the GP38-2’s, this flashy paint scheme was generally believed to be an effort to improve the corporate image. Many of these 4300 series locomotive displayed names on the sides of their cabs, commemorating cities, states, a person, or groups of people.