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

Recreate the distinctive character of modern western North Carolina shortline railroading with the Athearn Genesis HO Scale Blue Ridge Southern WAMX #3932 EMD GP39-2 locomotive. This highly detailed four-axle diesel road switcher features the recognizable WAMX black and yellow paint scheme, colorful Blue Ridge Southern logos, and an early Phase I body with railroad-specific modifications.

Designed for conventional DC operation with the flexibility to install a digital decoder, WAMX #3932 is DCC Ready with a 21-pin NEM Quick Plug interface. Its revised D&H-style walkway and fuel tank, roof-mounted air conditioning unit, Nathan 3-chime horn, and front and rear ditch lights make it an excellent choice for model railroaders building an accurate modern shortline locomotive roster.

Explore additional HO scale locomotives to expand your freight and switching locomotive fleet.

Blue Ridge Southern Railroad and Modern Shortline Operations

Blue Ridge Southern Railroad operates approximately 91 miles of former Norfolk Southern trackage in western North Carolina. As part of the Watco family of regional and shortline railroads, Blue Ridge Southern serves industries throughout the region and connects local freight customers with the national rail network.

Blue Ridge Southern locomotives feature the WAMX black and yellow paint scheme, complemented by colorful circular railroad logos that identify the regional operation.

The EMD GP39-2 is particularly well suited to this type of railroad service. Built between 1974 and 1984, the GP39-2 uses a turbocharged 12-cylinder EMD 645E3 diesel engine producing approximately 2,300 horsepower. Its four-axle design provides the flexibility needed for local freight, industrial switching, and regional railroad assignments.

Athearn Genesis recreates WAMX #3932 with its early Phase I body and distinctive road-specific details, including a front-mounted plow without yellow pilot stripes.

Blue Ridge Southern WAMX #3932 Road-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
• Roof-mounted air conditioning unit
• Nathan 3-chime locomotive horn
• Front and rear ditch lights
• Small EMD front plow only
• No yellow pilot stripes, matching WAMX #3932
• Illuminated locomotive number boards
• Detailed Blomberg trucks
• Prototype-appropriate fuel tank and underbody components

DCC Ready with 21-Pin NEM Decoder Interface

The Athearn Genesis GP39-2 Blue Ridge Southern #3932 includes Athearn's Quick Plug decoder interface with a 21-pin NEM connector for compatible aftermarket DCC decoder installation.

This locomotive operates on conventional DC power as supplied and does not include a factory-installed sound decoder or speakers. It is ideal for model railroaders who prefer traditional DC operation or want to select their own digital decoder for future conversion.

• 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 number boards
• Front and rear ditch light details
• No factory-installed sound decoder or speakers

Browse additional HO scale diesel locomotives to compare available DC, DCC Ready, and DCC/Sound models for your layout.

Athearn Genesis Mechanical Performance and Construction

Athearn's Genesis GP39-2 combines precision mechanical engineering with extensive factory-installed details for realistic HO scale model railroad operation.

A five-pole skew-wound motor, precision-machined flywheels, and multi-link drivetrain provide smooth locomotive performance. All-wheel drive and electrical pickup help maintain dependable traction and current collection, while the heavy die-cast frame adds weight for pulling freight cars.

• HO scale (1:87) construction
• Five-pole skew-wound motor
• Precision-machined flywheels
• Multi-link all-wheel-drive drivetrain
• All-wheel electrical pickup
• Heavy die-cast chassis
• Factory-installed wire grab irons and lift rings
• Detailed windshield wipers
• Fine-scale Celcon handrails
• Etched metal fan grilles
• See-through cab windows with detailed interior
• Detailed walkway tread and drop steps
• Fuel tank fillers, gauges, and breather pipes
• Trainline hoses, MU hoses, and coupler cut levers
• Detailed Blomberg trucks
• Body-mounted McHenry knuckle couplers compatible with Kadee couplers
• RP25 wheel contours
• Minimum recommended operating radius of 18 inches

Build a Modern Blue Ridge Southern Shortline Railroad Layout

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

Blue Ridge Southern WAMX #3932 is particularly appropriate for 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-specific front plow arrangement make it a distinctive addition to a modern diesel locomotive fleet.

Discover additional road numbers and configurations in our Athearn Genesis HO Scale EMD GP39-2 locomotives collection.

Athearn Genesis Blue Ridge Southern GP39-2 #3932 Specifications

• Brand: Athearn Genesis
• SKU: ATHG-1972
• Scale: HO Scale (1:87)
• Locomotive Model: EMD GP39-2
• Railroad: Blue Ridge Southern Railroad
• Reporting Mark: WAMX
• Road Number: 3932
• Paint Scheme: WAMX Black and Yellow
• Body: 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: Small EMD Front Plow Only
• Pilot Stripes: No Yellow Pilot Stripes
• Control: DC / DCC Ready
• Decoder Interface: Quick Plug 21-Pin NEM
• Factory Sound: Not Equipped
• Lighting: LED
• Wheel Arrangement: B-B
• Trucks: Blomberg
• Minimum Radius: 18 Inches
• Era: 2010–Present

Shop Athearn Genesis HO Scale GP39-2 Locomotives at Train Supply

Add the Athearn Genesis EMD GP39-2 Blue Ridge Southern WAMX #3932 DCC Ready locomotive to your modern model railroad fleet. Browse our complete selection of HO scale model trains, diesel locomotives, freight cars, track, and railroad accessories at Train Supply.