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

Capture the character of modern Appalachian shortline railroading with the Athearn Genesis HO Scale Blue Ridge Southern WAMX #3932 EMD GP39-2 diesel locomotive. Finished in Watco's recognizable black-and-yellow paint scheme with colorful Blue Ridge Southern logos, this detailed Phase I road switcher offers prototype accuracy, dependable mechanical performance, and factory-installed SoundTraxx Tsunami2 DCC/Sound.

With its revised Delaware & Hudson-style walkway and fuel tank, roof-mounted air conditioning, Nathan 3-chime horn, and front and rear ditch lights, WAMX #3932 is an excellent addition to a modern regional railroad fleet. Athearn also reproduces the locomotive's specific pilot arrangement, featuring no yellow pilot stripes and a front plow only.

Explore our selection of HO scale locomotives for additional railroad paint schemes and motive power options.

Blue Ridge Southern Railway and the EMD GP39-2

Blue Ridge Southern Railroad operates approximately 91 miles of former Norfolk Southern railroad lines in western North Carolina. As a Watco-affiliated shortline railroad, Blue Ridge Southern provides freight transportation for regional industries and connects local customers with the larger North American rail network.

The railroad's locomotives feature the WAMX black-and-yellow color scheme, with distinctive circular Blue Ridge Southern logos identifying the operation.

The EMD GP39-2 was introduced in 1974 as a versatile four-axle diesel-electric road switcher. Equipped with a turbocharged 12-cylinder EMD 645E3 prime mover producing approximately 2,300 horsepower, the locomotive offered efficient performance for local freight, switching, and regional railroad assignments.

Athearn Genesis reproduces WAMX #3932 in its early Phase I configuration with modifications reflecting its contemporary shortline service.

Blue Ridge Southern WAMX #3932 Road-Specific Details

• Authentic WAMX black-and-yellow locomotive paint scheme
• Colorful Blue Ridge Southern railroad logos
• Early Phase I EMD GP39-2 body configuration
• 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 road number 3932
• Illuminated locomotive number boards
• Detailed Blomberg trucks
• Prototype-appropriate fuel tank and underbody equipment
• Accurate WAMX reporting marks and road number

SoundTraxx Tsunami2 DCC/Sound with Dual Cube Speakers

The Athearn Genesis GP39-2 Blue Ridge Southern #3932 comes equipped with a factory-installed SoundTraxx Tsunami2 decoder and dual cube speakers, providing realistic diesel locomotive sounds and advanced digital operation.

The sound-equipped model operates on both conventional DC and DCC layouts. Basic engine, horn, and bell sounds are available during DC operation, while a compatible DCC system unlocks the locomotive's full sound, lighting, and programmable control functions.

• Factory-installed SoundTraxx Tsunami2 sound decoder
• Dual cube speakers for detailed locomotive audio
• Compatible with DC and DCC layouts
• Engine, horn, and bell sounds available on DC
• Full digital sound and lighting functionality in DCC mode
• NMRA-compatible DCC functions
• Precision slow-speed motor control
• Customizable Configuration Values (CVs)
• Multiple-unit locomotive consisting capabilities
• Lead-unit-only horn, bell, and lighting configuration for MU operation
• Factory-installed LED lighting
• Illuminated number boards

This factory-installed sound system is especially useful for shortline layouts where realistic throttle changes, horn signals, and bell sounds enhance industrial switching and local freight operations.

Browse additional HO scale diesel locomotives to compare DCC/Sound-equipped models with available DC and DCC Ready alternatives.

Athearn Genesis Mechanical Performance and Construction

The Genesis GP39-2 features a precision-engineered drivetrain designed to deliver smooth, reliable HO scale performance. Its five-pole skew-wound motor works with precision-machined flywheels and a multi-link drivetrain to provide controlled acceleration and dependable operation.

All-wheel drive and electrical pickup help maintain traction and consistent current collection, while a heavy die-cast frame adds useful weight for freight train assignments.

• Highly detailed HO scale (1:87) construction
• Five-pole skew-wound motor
• Precision-machined flywheels
• Multi-link drivetrain with all-wheel drive
• 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 full interior detailing
• 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 scale knuckle couplers compatible with Kadee couplers
• RP25 wheel contours
• Minimum recommended operating radius of 18 inches

Recreate Western North Carolina Shortline Freight Operations

Blue Ridge Southern WAMX #3932 is an excellent locomotive for HO scale layouts representing contemporary western North Carolina railroading, Appalachian industrial branches, and modern Watco-operated shortline railroads.

The GP39-2's four-axle design makes it appropriate for local freight trains, industrial switching, interchange traffic, and regional freight assignments. Its factory-installed Tsunami2 sound system adds another level of realism to operations involving frequent stops, switching movements, and locomotive consists.

WAMX #3932 also provides an interesting alternative to larger six-axle road locomotives, particularly on layouts focused on smaller industries and regional freight service.

Discover additional road numbers and sound 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-1988
• 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
• 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 GP39-2 Locomotives at Train Supply

Add the Athearn Genesis EMD GP39-2 Blue Ridge Southern WAMX #3932 DCC/Sound 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.