WalthersProto
PROTO N Diesel EMD GP38-2 w/88" Low Nose - Powered
Southern Pacific(TM) #4810 (gray, red, white)
Walthers Part # 920-75031
N scale, $109.98, sold out at Walthers
One of the Most Popular Locos Ever Built, Now in N Scale In the 60s EMD identified the need for a medium-horsepower roadswitcher
with no turbocharger for improved reliability. With the rack settings on
its 16-cylinder 645 prime mover set at a very conservative 2,000
horsepower, tried-and-true traction motors and other components, the GP38
was designed for reliability in all kinds of service. The locomotive sold
well, but the addition of easy-to-maintain modular electronics made its
successor the GP38-2 the runaway favorite with 2,188 locos sold. The
externally identical GP38AC with an AC generator accounted for another 240
sales. GP38-2 production began in 1972 and lasted through 1987.
Late-production GP38-2s constructed beginning in 1977 came equipped with an
88" long low nose; this model is based on these units. Fuel tank size was
specified by the customer and units came equipped with Blomberg M truck,
although many were built with reconditioned standard Blomberg trucks from
traded-in units. The GP38-2 could be found in all kinds of service from
hauling road and wayfreights to ushering commuter (on the Long Island
Railroad) and long-distance passenger trains (Mexican steam
generator-equipped models) across the railroad. Hundreds could also be
found in local, yard and heavy industrial switching service. In recent
years, they fetch a pretty penny on the used locomotive market - if their
original Class I owners ever get rid of them. The model was so successful
that even in 2006 some Class I roads were still purchasing
remanufactured/rebuilt units built to GP38-2 standards. Many have been
rebuilt and still serve for their original owners, others have gone on to
shortlines and regional roads.
As with other PROTO N locos, the new GP38-2 features a heavy, spilt-frame
mechanism, five-pole motor with dual flywheels, directional LED headlights,
a clip-fit PC board, applied details, all-wheel drive and electrical
pickup, Accumate® knuckle couplers and RP-25 contour wheels that allow
operation on any brand of Code 55 or larger track. The units have
roadname-appropriate fuel tanks and truck sideframes, and feature extremely
fine painting and printing.
EMD GP38-2 w/88" Nose:
ATSF #3563 (Warbonnet blue, yellow)
ATSF #3570 (Warbonnet blue,
yellow) BN #2151 (Cascade
Green, white) BN #2154
(Cascade Green, white) CNW
#4629 (standard yellow, green) CNW #4632 (standard yellow, green)
CR #8206 (blue) CR #8227 (blue) CSX #2764 (Bright Future gray, blue,
yellow, white cab roof) CSX
#2771 (Bright Future gray, blue, yellow, white cab roof) Long Island #257 (blue, white) Long Island #271 (blue, white)
MP #2138 (blue) MP #2164 (blue) SP #4810 (gray, red) SP #4827 (gray, red) UP #2139 (Armour Yellow, gray) UP #2142 (Armour Yellow, gray)
Undecorated No Dynamic Brakes,
Hi-Ad Truck Sideframes and Small Fuel Tank
