Athearn Genesis HO Scale Wisconsin & Southern WAMX #3947 GP39-2 DCC/Sound Locomotive

Recreate modern Wisconsin regional freight operations with the Athearn Genesis HO Scale Wisconsin & Southern WAMX #3947 EMD GP39-2 diesel locomotive. This premium four-axle road switcher features the railroad's recognizable red-and-gray paint scheme, factory-installed SoundTraxx Tsunami2 DCC/Sound, and detailed Phase I body components reflecting its former Delaware & Hudson heritage.

WAMX #3947 wears Wisconsin & Southern's standard locomotive colors rather than the commemorative 35th Anniversary scheme applied to sister locomotive #3928. Athearn also reproduces its distinctive non-standard number board font, making this model especially appealing to railroaders who appreciate road-number-specific accuracy.

Explore additional HO scale locomotives to expand your regional railroad and diesel motive power fleet.

Wisconsin & Southern Railroad and the EMD GP39-2

Wisconsin & Southern Railroad is a regional freight carrier recognized for its bright red-and-gray diesel locomotive fleet. The railroad serves agricultural customers, manufacturing facilities, and industrial shippers throughout Wisconsin while connecting regional freight traffic with larger railroad networks.

Wisconsin & Southern acquired two former Delaware & Hudson EMD GP39-2 locomotives through WAMX. These locomotives retained recognizable characteristics of their original D&H construction, including their distinctive walkway and fuel tank arrangement.

WAMX #3947 represents the railroad's standard locomotive appearance, while WAMX #3928 carries special Wisconsin & Southern 35th Anniversary graphics. Together, these two locomotives offer an interesting combination for HO scale modelers depicting the railroad's modern diesel fleet.

The prototype EMD GP39-2 was manufactured between 1974 and 1984. Equipped with a turbocharged 12-cylinder EMD 645E3 engine, it produced approximately 2,300 horsepower and offered versatile performance for regional freight, local switching, and transfer operations.

Wisconsin & Southern WAMX #3947 Road-Specific Details

• Authentic Wisconsin & Southern standard red-and-gray paint scheme
• WAMX reporting marks and road number 3947
• Non-standard number board font matching the prototype
• Early Phase I EMD GP39-2 body configuration
• Former Delaware & Hudson locomotive heritage
• Newly tooled revised D&H-style walkway and fuel tank
• Front and rear ditch lights
• Union Pacific-style front plow
• Removed class lights
• Nathan 3-chime locomotive horn
• Roof-mounted air conditioning unit
• Detailed Blomberg trucks
• Illuminated locomotive number boards
• Prototype-appropriate underbody and fuel tank equipment

SoundTraxx Tsunami2 DCC/Sound with Dual Cube Speakers

The Athearn Genesis Wisconsin & Southern GP39-2 #3947 includes a factory-installed SoundTraxx Tsunami2 decoder and dual cube speakers, providing realistic diesel locomotive sounds and advanced digital control without requiring a separate decoder installation.

This sound-equipped locomotive supports conventional DC and DCC operation. Engine, horn, and bell sounds are available on DC layouts, while compatible DCC systems provide access to the full range of programmable sound, lighting, and locomotive control features.

• Factory-installed SoundTraxx Tsunami2 DCC/Sound decoder
• Dual cube speakers for detailed diesel locomotive audio
• Compatible with conventional DC and DCC layouts
• Diesel engine, horn, and bell sounds available on DC
• Full sound and lighting functions under DCC control
• NMRA-compatible digital functions
• Precision slow-speed motor control
• Programmable Configuration Values (CVs)
• Multiple-unit locomotive consisting support
• Configurable lead-unit-only horn, bell, and lighting operation
• Factory-installed LED lighting
• Illuminated locomotive number boards

The Tsunami2 system adds realistic locomotive audio to switching movements, local freight assignments, and multiple-unit operations on a Wisconsin & Southern-themed model railroad.

Browse our selection of HO scale diesel locomotives to compare factory sound-equipped models with DC and DCC Ready alternatives.

Athearn Genesis Drivetrain and Scale Detailing

Athearn Genesis locomotives are designed for smooth, dependable operation and realistic appearance. The GP39-2 features a five-pole skew-wound motor, precision-machined flywheels, and a multi-link drivetrain that delivers controlled locomotive movement across a variety of HO scale operating conditions.

All-wheel drive and electrical pickup support reliable running, while the heavy die-cast chassis provides additional weight for hauling freight cars.

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

Model Wisconsin & Southern Freight Railroad Operations

The EMD GP39-2 is well suited for HO scale layouts depicting Wisconsin & Southern regional freight service, industrial switching, agricultural freight movements, and interchange operations.

WAMX #3947 provides an excellent choice for model railroaders who want to recreate the railroad's standard red-and-gray locomotive fleet. Its non-standard number board font and former Delaware & Hudson body details add prototype accuracy to a modern Wisconsin & Southern roster.

For model railroaders operating multiple locomotives, WAMX #3947 makes a natural companion to the 35th Anniversary WAMX #3928. The two models offer distinct paint schemes while representing the same regional railroad's GP39-2 fleet.

Discover more road numbers, railroad paint schemes, and decoder configurations in our Athearn Genesis HO Scale EMD GP39-2 locomotives collection.

Athearn Genesis Wisconsin & Southern GP39-2 #3947 Specifications

• Manufacturer: Athearn Genesis
• SKU: ATHG-1991
• Scale: HO Scale (1:87)
• Locomotive Model: EMD GP39-2
• Railroad: Wisconsin & Southern Railroad
• Reporting Mark: WAMX
• Road Number: 3947
• Paint Scheme: Standard Wisconsin & Southern Red and Gray
• Number Boards: Non-Standard Font
• Prototype Heritage: Former Delaware & Hudson
• 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: UP-Style Front Plow
• Class Lights: Removed
• 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 Wisconsin & Southern WAMX #3947 DCC/Sound locomotive to your regional railroad fleet. Browse our complete selection of HO scale model trains, diesel locomotives, freight cars, track, and railroad accessories at Train Supply.