Athearn Genesis HO Scale EMD GP39-2 Wisconsin & Southern WAMX #3947 - DCC/Sound

Bring authentic Wisconsin regional railroad operations to your HO scale layout with the Athearn Genesis EMD GP39-2 Wisconsin & Southern WAMX #3947. Featuring the railroad's distinctive red-and-gray paint scheme and factory-installed SoundTraxx Tsunami2 DCC/Sound, this highly detailed four-axle diesel locomotive combines prototype-specific accuracy with the smooth-running performance of Athearn's premium Genesis series.

Representing a former Delaware & Hudson GP39-2 in Wisconsin & Southern service, WAMX #3947 features an early Phase I body, revised D&H-style walkway and fuel tank, roof-mounted air conditioning, Nathan 3-chime horn, and front and rear ditch lights. Its standard Wisconsin & Southern paint scheme and distinctive non-standard number board font distinguish it from the commemorative 35th Anniversary locomotive WAMX #3928.

Wisconsin & Southern Railroad GP39-2 WAMX #3947

The Wisconsin & Southern Railroad (WSOR) is a regional freight railroad known for its recognizable red-and-gray locomotive fleet and extensive freight operations throughout Wisconsin. Its locomotives serve agricultural customers, manufacturing facilities, industrial shippers, and interchange connections with larger railroad networks.

Wisconsin & Southern acquired two former Delaware & Hudson EMD GP39-2 locomotives through WAMX. These four-axle road switchers retained distinctive characteristics of their original D&H construction, including specialized walkway and fuel tank arrangements.

While WAMX #3928 received a special Wisconsin & Southern 35th Anniversary paint scheme, WAMX #3947 wears the railroad's standard red-and-gray colors. Athearn also reproduces its unusual number board lettering, an important detail for model railroaders who appreciate accurate road-number-specific locomotive features.

Originally manufactured between 1974 and 1984, the EMD GP39-2 used a turbocharged 12-cylinder EMD 645E3 diesel engine producing approximately 2,300 horsepower. Its four-axle configuration provided the flexibility needed for local freight, industrial switching, and regional railroad operations.

Wisconsin & Southern WAMX #3947 Prototype-Specific Features

• Authentic Wisconsin & Southern standard red-and-gray paint scheme
• Accurate WAMX reporting marks and road number 3947
• Road-specific non-standard number board font
• Early Phase I EMD GP39-2 locomotive body
• Former Delaware & Hudson locomotive configuration
• Newly tooled revised D&H-style walkway and fuel tank
• Front and rear ditch lights
• Union Pacific-style front plow
• Removed class lights matching the prototype
• Nathan 3-chime locomotive horn
• Roof-mounted air conditioning unit
• Detailed Blomberg trucks and underbody equipment
• Illuminated locomotive number boards
• Prototype-appropriate exterior details

Factory-Installed SoundTraxx Tsunami2 DCC/Sound

The Athearn Genesis Wisconsin & Southern GP39-2 #3947 comes factory-equipped with a SoundTraxx Tsunami2 sound decoder and dual cube speakers, delivering realistic diesel locomotive audio and advanced digital control.

This model operates on both conventional DC and DCC layouts. Engine, horn, and bell sounds are available during DC operation, while a compatible DCC system provides access to full sound, lighting, and programmable locomotive functions.

• Factory-installed SoundTraxx Tsunami2 DCC/Sound decoder
• Dual cube speakers for detailed diesel locomotive audio
• Compatible with conventional DC and DCC operation
• Diesel 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 enhances Wisconsin & Southern local freight and switching operations with realistic engine sounds, horn signals, and bell operation.

Premium Athearn Genesis HO Scale GP39-2 Features

Athearn Genesis locomotives combine detailed prototype research with precision mechanical engineering to deliver dependable HO scale 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 reliable 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

Model Wisconsin & Southern Regional Freight Operations

The EMD GP39-2 is an excellent choice for HO scale layouts representing Wisconsin & Southern Railroad operations during the modern era. Its four-axle configuration and mid-horsepower diesel engine make it well suited for local freight trains, industrial switching, yard transfers, and regional freight assignments.

WAMX #3947 is especially appealing to model railroaders recreating Wisconsin railroading, former Delaware & Hudson locomotives in later service, or contemporary regional railroad operations.

Its standard red-and-gray paint scheme provides a realistic companion to the special 35th Anniversary WAMX #3928 locomotive, allowing model railroaders to recreate a varied Wisconsin & Southern diesel fleet.

Explore additional Athearn Genesis HO Scale EMD GP39-2 locomotives for more Wisconsin & Southern, Blue Ridge Southern, Union Pacific, BNSF, and Santa Fe models in available DCC Ready and DCC/Sound configurations.

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

Athearn Genesis GP39-2 Wisconsin & Southern WAMX #3947 Specifications

• Manufacturer: Athearn Genesis
• SKU: ATHG-1991
• Scale: HO Scale (1:87)
• Locomotive: EMD GP39-2
• Railroad: Wisconsin & Southern Railroad
• Reporting Mark: WAMX
• Road Number: 3947
• Paint Scheme: Wisconsin & Southern Standard Red and Gray
• Number Boards: Non-Standard Font
• Prototype Heritage: Former Delaware & Hudson
• 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
• Plow: UP-Style Front Plow
• Class Lights: Removed
• 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 Wisconsin & Southern WAMX #3947 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.