Athearn Genesis HO Scale EMD GP39-2 Blue Ridge Southern WAMX #3932 - DCC Ready

Bring the distinctive appearance of modern shortline railroad operations to your HO scale layout with the Athearn Genesis EMD GP39-2 Blue Ridge Southern WAMX #3932. This highly detailed Phase I diesel locomotive represents a Blue Ridge Southern Railway road switcher in the recognizable WAMX black and yellow paint scheme, complete with colorful railroad logos, prototype-specific exterior equipment, and 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 allows model railroaders to install their preferred compatible DCC decoder. Its newly tooled revised Delaware & Hudson-style walkway and fuel tank, roof-mounted air conditioning, Nathan 3-chime horn, and front and rear ditch lights make it an excellent addition to a modern shortline locomotive fleet.

Blue Ridge Southern Railway WAMX #3932 Prototype History

The Blue Ridge Southern Railroad operates approximately 91 miles of former Norfolk Southern trackage in western North Carolina. Part of the Watco family of shortline railroads, Blue Ridge Southern provides regional freight service connecting industries and communities throughout the western North Carolina mountains.

Blue Ridge Southern locomotives wear the distinctive black and yellow WAMX paint scheme, complemented by colorful circular railroad logos displayed along the locomotive sides. These locomotives reflect the important role regional railroads play in connecting local industries with the larger North American freight rail network.

The EMD GP39-2 was produced between 1974 and 1984 as a versatile four-axle diesel-electric road switcher. Equipped with a turbocharged 12-cylinder EMD 645E3 engine producing approximately 2,300 horsepower, the GP39-2 offered dependable performance and improved fuel efficiency for a wide range of freight assignments.

Athearn Genesis recreates WAMX #3932 with its early Phase I body and railroad-specific modifications, capturing the appearance of a working Blue Ridge Southern locomotive.

Blue Ridge Southern WAMX #3932 Prototype-Specific Features

• Authentic WAMX black and yellow 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
• Roof-mounted air conditioning unit
• Nathan 3-chime locomotive horn
• Front and rear ditch lights
• Front-mounted small EMD plow only
• No yellow pilot stripes, matching road number 3932
• Detailed Blomberg trucks with appropriate bearing caps
• Illuminated locomotive number boards
• Prototype-appropriate fuel tank and underbody equipment
• Accurate WAMX lettering and road number

DCC Ready with 21-Pin NEM Quick Plug Connector

The Athearn Genesis Blue Ridge Southern GP39-2 #3932 features Athearn's Quick Plug decoder interface with a 21-pin NEM connector, allowing model railroaders to install a compatible aftermarket DCC decoder.

This version operates on conventional DC power as supplied and does not include a factory-installed sound decoder or speakers. It is an excellent choice for traditional DC layouts or model railroaders planning a custom DCC installation.

• Factory DCC Ready configuration
• Conventional DC operation out of the box
• 21-pin NEM Quick Plug decoder connector
• Compatible with appropriately selected aftermarket DCC decoders
• Factory-installed LED locomotive lighting
• Illuminated locomotive number boards
• Prototype-specific front and rear ditch light details
• No factory-installed sound decoder or speakers

Model railroaders planning to add digital sound can select a compatible aftermarket sound decoder and the necessary speaker equipment to create a customized locomotive installation.

Premium Athearn Genesis HO Scale GP39-2 Features

Athearn Genesis locomotives combine extensive prototype detailing with precision mechanical engineering to deliver realistic HO scale model 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

Model Blue Ridge Southern Shortline Railroad Operations

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

Blue Ridge Southern WAMX #3932 is particularly appealing to model railroaders recreating western North Carolina railroading, former Norfolk Southern branch lines, or modern Watco-operated shortline railroads.

The locomotive's black and yellow paint scheme, colorful railroad logos, and road-number-specific pilot details make it a distinctive addition to a modern HO scale diesel locomotive collection.

Explore additional Athearn Genesis HO Scale EMD GP39-2 locomotives for more WAMX, Union Pacific, BNSF, Santa Fe, and other railroad paint schemes.

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 #3932 Specifications

• Manufacturer: Athearn Genesis
• SKU: ATHG-1972
• Scale: HO Scale (1:87)
• Locomotive: EMD GP39-2
• Railroad: Blue Ridge Southern Railroad
• Reporting Mark: WAMX
• Road Number: 3932
• 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
• Plow: Front Small EMD Plow Only
• Pilot Stripes: No Yellow Pilot Stripes
• 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
• 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 #3932 DCC Ready 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.