Athearn Genesis HO Scale Blue Ridge Southern WAMX #3945 EMD GP39-2 DCC/Sound Locomotive

Capture the character of modern Appalachian shortline railroading with the Athearn Genesis HO Scale Blue Ridge Southern WAMX #3945 EMD GP39-2 diesel locomotive. Finished in the recognizable WAMX black-and-yellow paint scheme with colorful Blue Ridge Southern logos, this premium Phase I road switcher offers prototype-specific detailing, reliable mechanical performance, and factory-installed SoundTraxx Tsunami2 DCC/Sound.

WAMX #3945 features the revised Delaware & Hudson-style walkway and fuel tank, roof-mounted air conditioning, Nathan 3-chime horn, and front and rear ditch lights. Its yellow-striped pilots and plows on both ends distinguish it from WAMX #3932, making this locomotive a particularly interesting addition to a detailed Blue Ridge Southern roster.

Explore additional HO scale locomotives for more railroad paint schemes and motive power options.

Blue Ridge Southern Railway and Modern Regional Freight Service

Blue Ridge Southern Railroad operates approximately 91 miles of former Norfolk Southern lines in western North Carolina. As part of the Watco family of regional and shortline railroads, Blue Ridge Southern provides freight transportation for local industries and connections with the broader North American railroad network.

The railroad's locomotive fleet features the distinctive WAMX black-and-yellow paint scheme, complemented by colorful circular Blue Ridge Southern logos.

Introduced in 1974, the EMD GP39-2 was designed as an efficient four-axle diesel-electric road switcher. Its turbocharged 12-cylinder EMD 645E3 engine produced approximately 2,300 horsepower, making the locomotive suitable for local freight, industrial switching, and regional railroad assignments.

Athearn Genesis recreates WAMX #3945 with its early Phase I body and modern shortline modifications, including the distinctive yellow pilot stripes and front and rear plows.

Blue Ridge Southern WAMX #3945 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
• Yellow safety stripes on both locomotive pilots
• Plows on both front and rear ends
• Roof-mounted air conditioning unit
• Nathan 3-chime locomotive horn
• Front and rear ditch lights
• Illuminated locomotive number boards
• Detailed Blomberg trucks
• Prototype-appropriate fuel tank and underbody equipment
• Accurate WAMX reporting marks and road number 3945

SoundTraxx Tsunami2 DCC/Sound with Dual Cube Speakers

The Athearn Genesis GP39-2 Blue Ridge Southern #3945 includes a factory-installed SoundTraxx Tsunami2 decoder and dual cube speakers, providing realistic diesel locomotive sounds and advanced digital control.

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 full range of sound, lighting, and programmable 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 particularly useful for shortline layouts, where realistic throttle changes, horn signals, and bell sounds enhance industrial switching and local freight movements.

Browse additional HO scale diesel locomotives to compare 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, dependable HO scale performance. Its five-pole skew-wound motor works with precision-machined flywheels and a multi-link drivetrain to provide controlled acceleration and reliable 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 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 #3945 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 #3945 also makes a distinctive companion to Blue Ridge Southern #3932, with its yellow-striped pilots and dual plows providing accurate road-number-specific variety within the same railroad fleet.

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 #3945 Specifications

• Brand: Athearn Genesis
• SKU: ATHG-1989
• Scale: HO Scale (1:87)
• Locomotive Model: EMD GP39-2
• Railroad: Blue Ridge Southern Railroad
• Reporting Mark: WAMX
• Road Number: 3945
• 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
• Plows: Front and Rear
• Pilot Stripes: Yellow Stripes on Both Pilots
• 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 #3945 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.