HO GEN GP38-2 Locomotive, SP #4812
Pre-Order | Next Shipment January 2026

HO GEN GP38-2 Locomotive, SP #4812

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Athearn Genesis - ATHG-1811
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EMD GP38-2 DIESEL LOCOMOTIVE PROTOTYPE SPECIFIC INFORMATION:

By the early 1970s, many first generation diesels were reaching the end of their service lives. The most common replacement locomotive became the GP38-2. EMD began production of the 16-cylinder, non-turbocharged, 2000 horsepower engine in 1972. Unlike the GP38’s engine, which drove a generator to supply power to the traction motors, the GP38-2s prime mover drove an alternator which produced AC electrical current that was rectified to DC to power the four traction motors. Another major change for the GP38-2 was the introduction of the “dash 2” modular electrical cabinet. For more than 40 years, the GP38-2 has worked main line freights, locals, switching jobs, yard service, helpers, snow fighting trains, and hump power. Many remain in service today.

EMD GP38-2 DIESEL LOCOMOTIVE FEATURES:

  • Operating Class Lights (Where equipped based on prototype)
  • Operating Number boards
  • Coupler cut levers
  • Trainline hose
  • Full cab interior
  • Windshield wipers
  • Wire grab irons
  • DCC-ready features Quick Plug™ plug-and-play technology with 21-pin NEM connector
  • Fine-scale Celcon handrails for scale appearance
  • Detailed fuel tank with fuel fillers, fuel gauges, & breather pipes
  • Genesis driveline with 5-pole skew wound motor, precision machined flywheels, and multi-link drivetrain for trouble free operation
  • All-wheel drive with precision gears for smooth and quiet operation
  • Body-mounted McHenry® operating scale knuckle couplers
  • All-wheel electrical pickup provides reliable current flow
  • MU hoses
  • See-through cab windows
  • Walkway tread
  • Lift rings
  • Sander lines
  • Wheels with RP25 contours operate on all popular brands of track
  • LED Lighting for trouble free operation
  • Heavy die-cast frame for greater traction and more pulling power
  • Scaled from prototype resources including drawings, field measurements, photographs, and more
  • Accurately-painted and –printed paint schemes
  • Packaging securely holds the model for safe storage
  • Minimum radius: 18”

SOUND-EQUIPPED MODELS ALSO FEATURE:

  • Onboard DCC decoder with SoundTraxx Tsunami2 sound
  • Dual cube speakers for optimal sound quality
  • Sound units operate in both DC and DCC
  • Full DCC functions available when operated in DCC mode
  • All functions NMRA compatible in DCC mode
  • Precision slow speed control
  • Program a multiple unit (MU) lashup with lead unit only horn, bell, and lights
  • Many functions can be altered via Configuration Value (CV) changes
  • CV chart included in the box

ROAD NUMBER SPECIFIC FEATURES:

  • #2316 Dynamic brake with square paper air filter box
  • #2325 Dynamic brake with square paper air filter box
  • #2333 Dynamic brake with square paper air filter box
  • #9562 Thin white frame stripe, removed front plow
  • #9564 Thick white frame stripe, small front EMD plow
  • #9567 Thin white frame stripe, removed front plow

BN FEATURES:

  • Ex-SLSF
  • Mid-production body with corrugated grilles and standard fans
  • Lit number boards and front class lights
  • Nose gyralight (Effect in DCC)
  • 3600 gallon fuel tank
  • Stratolite beacon (Effect in DCC)
  • Blomberg B trucks
  • Leslie 5-chime horn
  • Flush standard exhaust stacks

SP FEATURES:

  • Late Phase body with corrugated grilles and Q fans
  • 1990s Appearance
  • Removed Class lights
  • Nathan P3 Horn
  • Removed SP front and rear light packages
  • Lit number boards
  • Stratolite Beacon (Effect in DCC)
  • Modified “L” Window Cab

ASAB FEATURES:

  • As-delivered appearance
  • Nose gyralight (Effect in DCC)
  • Non-Dynamic Brakes
  • Cab beacon (Effect in DCC)
  • Leslie 3-Chime horn
  • Early/mid-body with chickenwire grilles and standard fans

CEIX FEATURES:

  • As-delivered appearance
  • Lit class lights and number boards
  • Front and rear “weed cutter” plows
  • Leslie 3-chime horn
  • Dynamic Brakes
  • Early/mid-body with chickenwire grilles and standard fans

IC FEATURES:

  • Ex-GM&O
  • Nathan P5 horn
  • Early Phase 1 body with chicken wire grilles
  • Widely-spaced radiator fans
  • Front and rear ditch lights
  • Non-Dynamic

Product Specs

Axles
4
Body Style
GP
Coupler Style
McHenry Scale Knuckle
DCC
Ready/21-Pin NEM
Era
1991-2009,2010-Present Day
Full Road Name
Southern Pacific
Lighting
LED
Minimum Radius
18
Prototype Manufacturer
EMD
Reporting Mark
SP
Scale
HO
Sub Brand
GENESIS
Truck Style
Blomberg B
Wheel Configuration
B-B

Compatibility

No results for your given fitment filters
In 1980, SP placed an order for 45 GP38-2’s from EMD. Starting in the late 1980’s, FRA regulations dictated that any lighting feature of a locomotive that is installed must operate or the locomotive cannot be used in service. To combat this, the SP (and many other roads) would simply remove any unused or mechanically problematic lighting features such as class lights and gryalights. Also during this time, SP rebuilt many of their locomotives with the removal of the “L” window cab glass, which was costly to replace if broken. Our offering shows their 1990’s appearance before the UP merger of 1996.