Athearn Genesis HO Scale EMD GP39-2 Blue Ridge Southern WAMX #3945 - DCC/Sound

Bring the sights and sounds of modern North Carolina shortline railroading to your HO scale layout with the Athearn Genesis EMD GP39-2 Blue Ridge Southern WAMX #3945. Featuring factory-installed SoundTraxx Tsunami2 DCC/Sound, this premium four-axle diesel locomotive combines authentic WAMX black-and-yellow paint, colorful Blue Ridge Southern logos, road-number-specific detailing, and the precision performance of Athearn's Genesis locomotive series.

Representing an early Phase I EMD GP39-2 in contemporary Blue Ridge Southern service, WAMX #3945 features the newly tooled revised Delaware & Hudson-style walkway and fuel tank, roof-mounted air conditioning, Nathan 3-chime horn, and front and rear ditch lights. Unlike WAMX #3932, this locomotive features yellow stripes on both pilots and plows on both ends, accurately reproducing the distinctive appearance of road number 3945.

Blue Ridge Southern Railroad WAMX #3945 Prototype History

The Blue Ridge Southern Railroad operates approximately 91 miles of former Norfolk Southern railroad trackage in western North Carolina. Part of the Watco family of regional and shortline railroads, Blue Ridge Southern provides freight transportation for industries throughout the region while connecting local customers with the larger North American rail network.

Blue Ridge Southern locomotives wear the recognizable black-and-yellow WAMX paint scheme, complemented by colorful circular railroad logos along the locomotive sides. These distinctive diesel locomotives are an important part of modern Appalachian freight railroading.

Electro-Motive Division manufactured the GP39-2 between 1974 and 1984. Powered by a turbocharged 12-cylinder EMD 645E3 diesel engine producing approximately 2,300 horsepower, the GP39-2 offered efficient four-axle performance for local freight, industrial switching, and regional railroad assignments.

Athearn Genesis recreates WAMX #3945 with its original Phase I body and Blue Ridge Southern-specific modifications, including yellow-striped pilots and plows at both ends.

Blue Ridge Southern WAMX #3945 Prototype-Specific Features

• Authentic WAMX black-and-yellow locomotive paint scheme
• Colorful Blue Ridge Southern circular railroad logos
• Early Phase I EMD GP39-2 locomotive body
• Newly tooled revised D&H-style walkway and fuel tank
• Yellow safety stripes on both locomotive pilots
• Front and rear locomotive plows
• Roof-mounted air conditioning unit
• Nathan 3-chime locomotive horn
• Front and rear ditch lights
• Detailed Blomberg trucks with appropriate bearing caps
• Illuminated locomotive number boards
• Prototype-appropriate fuel tank and underbody equipment
• Accurate WAMX lettering and road number 3945

Factory-Installed SoundTraxx Tsunami2 DCC/Sound

The Athearn Genesis Blue Ridge Southern GP39-2 #3945 comes factory-equipped with a SoundTraxx Tsunami2 sound decoder and dual cube speakers, delivering realistic diesel locomotive audio and advanced digital operation.

This sound-equipped model operates on both conventional DC and DCC layouts. Basic diesel engine, horn, and bell sounds are available during DC operation, while a compatible DCC system provides access to the locomotive's full digital sound, lighting, and programmable functions.

• Factory-installed SoundTraxx Tsunami2 DCC/Sound decoder
• Dual cube speakers for detailed locomotive audio
• Compatible with conventional DC and DCC operation
• Engine, horn, and bell sounds available on DC
• Full digital sound and lighting functions in DCC mode
• NMRA-compatible DCC functionality
• Precision slow-speed motor control
• Configurable sound, lighting, and operating functions through CV programming
• Multiple-unit locomotive consisting capabilities
• Programmable lead-unit-only horn, bell, and lighting operation for MU consists
• Factory-installed LED locomotive lighting
• Illuminated number boards

The Tsunami2 sound system is especially well suited for shortline railroad operations, where realistic engine sounds, horn signals, and bell operation enhance local freight movements and industrial switching assignments.

Premium Athearn Genesis HO Scale GP39-2 Features

Athearn Genesis locomotives combine extensive prototype detailing with precision mechanical engineering for smooth, dependable HO scale railroad performance.

• Highly detailed HO scale (1:87) diesel locomotive
• Five-pole skew-wound motor with precision-machined flywheels
• Multi-link drivetrain with all-wheel drive
• All-wheel electrical pickup for dependable current collection
• Heavy die-cast frame for improved traction and pulling power
• Realistic LED locomotive lighting
• Illuminated locomotive number boards
• Factory-installed wire grab irons, lift rings, and windshield wipers
• Fine-scale Celcon handrails
• Detailed walkway tread and drop steps
• Etched metal fan grilles
• See-through cab windows with detailed interior
• Detailed fuel tank fillers, gauges, and breather pipes
• Trainline hoses, MU hoses, and coupler cut levers
• Body-mounted McHenry scale knuckle couplers compatible with Kadee couplers
• RP25 wheel contours for popular HO scale track systems
• Minimum recommended operating radius of 18 inches

Recreate Modern Blue Ridge Southern Shortline Operations

The EMD GP39-2 is an excellent choice for HO scale layouts depicting modern regional and shortline freight service. Its four-axle configuration and efficient diesel engine make it well suited for local freight trains, industrial switching, interchange movements, and mountain railroad assignments.

Blue Ridge Southern WAMX #3945 is particularly appealing to model railroaders recreating western North Carolina railroading, former Norfolk Southern branch lines, or modern Watco-operated shortline railroads.

Its yellow-striped pilots and front and rear plows make it a distinctive companion to other Blue Ridge Southern GP39-2 locomotives, while the factory-installed Tsunami2 sound system brings realistic diesel operation to switching and freight movements.

Explore additional Athearn Genesis HO Scale EMD GP39-2 locomotives for more WAMX, Union Pacific, BNSF, Santa Fe, and other railroad paint schemes in available DCC Ready and DCC/Sound configurations.

Browse our premium Athearn Genesis collection for highly detailed locomotives and rolling stock, or discover additional Athearn model trains at Fusion Scale Hobbies.

Athearn Genesis GP39-2 Blue Ridge Southern WAMX #3945 Specifications

• Manufacturer: Athearn Genesis
• SKU: ATHG-1989
• Scale: HO Scale (1:87)
• Locomotive: EMD GP39-2
• Railroad: Blue Ridge Southern Railroad
• Reporting Mark: WAMX
• Road Number: 3945
• Paint Scheme: WAMX Black and Yellow
• Body Configuration: Early Phase I
• Walkway and Fuel Tank: Revised D&H Style
• Horn: Nathan 3-Chime
• Roof Equipment: Air Conditioning Unit
• Ditch Lights: Front and Rear
• Plows: Front and Rear
• Pilot Stripes: Yellow Stripes on Both Pilots
• Control: DC / DCC
• Sound Decoder: SoundTraxx Tsunami2
• Speakers: Dual Cube Speakers
• Lighting: LED
• Wheel Arrangement: B-B
• Trucks: Blomberg
• Minimum Radius: 18 Inches
• Era: 2010–Present

Shop Athearn Genesis HO Scale Diesel Locomotives at Fusion Scale Hobbies

Add the Athearn Genesis HO Scale EMD GP39-2 Blue Ridge Southern WAMX #3945 DCC/Sound locomotive to your model railroad fleet. Discover additional diesel locomotives, freight cars, and railroad equipment in our complete model trains collection at Fusion Scale Hobbies.