Athearn Genesis HO Scale EMD GP39-2 Santa Fe ATSF #3640 - DCC Ready

Expand your Santa Fe Railway locomotive fleet with the Athearn Genesis HO Scale EMD GP39-2 ATSF #3640. This highly detailed Phase I diesel locomotive recreates one of Santa Fe's distinctive four-axle road switchers, featuring authentic railroad paint and lettering, prototype-specific exterior details, and the smooth-running performance of Athearn's premium Genesis drivetrain.

Supplied DCC Ready with a 21-pin NEM decoder connector, this model operates on conventional DC power as delivered and provides an excellent foundation for model railroaders who prefer to install their own DCC decoder. Its early Phase I body, rear-mounted fuel tank, large front anticlimber, and Stratolite cab beacon capture the recognizable appearance of Santa Fe's original EMD GP39-2 locomotives.

Santa Fe ATSF #3640 EMD GP39-2 Prototype History

Electro-Motive Division produced the GP39-2 between 1974 and 1984 as a versatile four-axle diesel-electric road switcher. Equipped with a turbocharged 12-cylinder EMD 645E3 prime mover, the GP39-2 generated 2,300 horsepower while offering improved fuel economy compared with larger diesel locomotives.

Santa Fe was among the largest purchasers of the GP39-2, initially acquiring the locomotives for fast freight assignments. Their efficient engines and flexible operating characteristics eventually made them popular choices for local freight trains, industrial switching, and road-switching duties throughout the Santa Fe system.

Athearn Genesis reproduces ATSF #3640 in its early Phase I configuration, complete with the distinctive rear-mounted fuel tank, switcher-style walkway steps, and railroad-specific equipment associated with Santa Fe's original GP39-2 fleet.

Santa Fe ATSF #3640 Prototype-Specific Features

• Authentic Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway paint and lettering
• Early Phase I EMD GP39-2 locomotive body
• Rear-mounted fuel tank
• Large front anticlimber
• Stratolite cab beacon detail
• Switcher-style walkway steps
• Leslie 3-chime locomotive horn
• Small EMD front plow
• Illuminated locomotive number boards
• Detailed Blomberg trucks with appropriate bearing caps
• Prototype-appropriate fuel tank and underbody detailing

DCC Ready with 21-Pin NEM Quick Plug Connector

The Athearn Genesis Santa Fe GP39-2 #3640 features Athearn's Quick Plug decoder interface with a 21-pin NEM connector, allowing model railroaders to select and install a compatible aftermarket DCC decoder.

Unlike the factory DCC/Sound version of ATSF #3640, this model is supplied without a sound decoder or speakers. It operates on conventional DC power out of the box, making it suitable for traditional layouts or future digital conversion.

• Factory DCC Ready configuration
• Conventional DC operation as supplied
• 21-pin NEM decoder interface
• Quick Plug plug-and-play decoder technology
• Compatible with appropriately selected aftermarket DCC decoders
• Factory-installed LED locomotive lighting
• Illuminated number boards
• No factory-installed sound decoder or speakers

For model railroaders planning to install sound, the 21-pin decoder connector provides a convenient starting point for adding a compatible sound decoder and separately selected speaker equipment.

Premium Athearn Genesis HO Scale Locomotive Features

Athearn Genesis locomotives are engineered for model railroaders who demand smooth performance, realistic detailing, and dependable pulling power.

• Highly detailed HO scale (1:87) diesel locomotive construction
• 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
• Realistic 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 Classic Santa Fe Freight Operations

The EMD GP39-2 is an excellent addition to HO scale layouts representing Santa Fe Railway operations from the mid-1970s onward. Its four-axle design makes it well suited for local freight trains, industrial switching, yard transfers, and multiple-unit diesel locomotive consists.

ATSF #3640 is particularly appealing to model railroaders recreating Santa Fe's original GP39-2 fleet before the later GP39-2u rebuilding program. Its early Phase I body and distinctive railroad-specific equipment offer excellent prototype accuracy.

Explore additional Athearn Genesis HO Scale EMD GP39-2 locomotives for more Santa Fe road numbers and available DCC Ready or DCC/Sound configurations.

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

Athearn Genesis GP39-2 Santa Fe ATSF #3640 Specifications

• Manufacturer: Athearn Genesis
• SKU: ATHG-1964
• Scale: HO Scale (1:87)
• Locomotive: EMD GP39-2
• Railroad: Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway
• Reporting Mark: ATSF
• Road Number: 3640
• Body Configuration: Early Phase I
• Horn: Leslie 3-Chime
• Beacon: Stratolite Cab Beacon
• Control: DC / DCC Ready
• Decoder Interface: 21-Pin NEM Quick Plug
• Factory Sound: Not Equipped
• Lighting: LED
• Wheel Arrangement: B-B
• Trucks: Blomberg
• Minimum Radius: 18 Inches

Shop Athearn Genesis HO Scale Diesel Locomotives at Fusion Scale Hobbies

Add the Athearn Genesis HO Scale EMD GP39-2 Santa Fe ATSF #3640 DCC Ready locomotive to your model railroad roster. Discover more diesel locomotives, freight cars, and railroad equipment in our complete model trains collection at Fusion Scale Hobbies.