PREORDER Athearn Genesis HO ATHG-1346 GEN GP7R Locomotive, ROCK #4540
Description
GP7/GP18 SERIES LOCOMOTIVE FEATURES:
- Coupler cut levers
- Flexible Trainline and MU hoses
- Drop steps unless noted
- MU stands
- “Nub” style walkway tread
- Windshield wipe
- Lift rings
- Wire grab irons
- Windshield wipers
- Sander lines
- NEW! Roof access hatches on non-dynamic units per prototype
- Bell placement & type per prototype
- Blomberg-B trucks with appropriate bearing caps
- Speed recorder unless noted
- See-through cab windows and full cab interior
- Fine-scale Celcon handrails for scale appearance
- Etched metal radiator intake grilles and fan grilles
- Air tanks mounted below sill unless noted
- Body-mounted McHenry® scale knuckle couplers - Kadee® compatible
- DCC-ready features Quick Plug™ plug-and-play technology with 21-pin NEM connector
- Scaled from prototype resources including drawings, field measurements, photographs, and more
- Accurately-painted and –printed paint schemes
- Genesis driveline with 5-pole skew wound motor, precision machined flywheels, and multi-link drivetrain
- All-wheel drive with precision gears for smooth & quiet operation
- All-wheel electrical pickup provides reliable current flow
- Wheels with RP25 contours operate on all popular brands of track
- Bidirectional constant LED lighting so headlight brightness remains constant
- Heavy die-cast frame for greater traction and more pulling power
- Packaging securely holds model for safe storage
- Minimum radius: 18” — Recommended radius: 22”
SOUND-EQUIPPED MODELS ALSO FEATURE:
- Onboard DCC decoder with SoundTraxx Tsunami2 so
- Dual cube speakers for optimal sound quality
- Sound units operate in both DC and DCC
- Full DCC functions available when operated in DCC mode
- Engine, horn, and bell sounds work in DC
- 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:
- #1775 Standard simplified scheme w/o end stripes
- #1776 Bicentennial scheme w/ beacon
- #1777 Early scheme w/ end stripes and dual side road numbers
- #7496 Ex-Lehigh Valley #302
- #7499 Ex-Lehigh Vallley #305, hood mounted paper air filter box, modified cut left skirting
- 945 Dynamic brakes, long hood forward operation, 5-chime Leslie horn, exhaust spark arrestors, hood-mounted bell, NW modified left side skirting with access doors
- #949 Dynamic brakes, long hood forward operation, 5-chime Leslie horn, exhaust spark arrestors, hood-mounted bell, NW modified left side skirting with access doors
- #2704 Ex-NKP, Short hood forward, front gyralight (effect in DCC), short hood mounted bell, exhaust defectors, right side winterized window
- #171X Ex-CG 171, Nathan P5 horn, pilot mounted foot boards, hood mounted bell, SOU paint with “C of G” sub lettering
- #175 Ex-CG 175, Nathan P5 horn, pilot mounted foot boards, hood mounted bell, SOU paint with “Central of Georgia” lettering on long hood
- #179H Ex-TA&G 50, Nathan P3 horns with all
- #4506 Late small louver battery box doors, standard EMD fuel tank, optional Whip antenna for current version in poly bag
- #4523 Late small louver battery box doors, rebuilt Rock Island style fuel tank
- #4540 Early large louver battery box doors, rebuilt Rock Island style fuel tank
CNW FEATURES:
- Late walkway with inspection holes
- Large 2350 gallon fuel tank
- Winterization hatch
- Early pilots with footboards
- Frame side-mounted air tanks
- Dual “Blatt” horns
- Non-dynamic bakes
CCT FEATURES:
- NEW! Non-Dynamic with roof access hatches
- Front and rear gryalights (effect in DCC)
- Ex-Rock Island
- 1700 gallon fuel tank
- Partial skirting above fuel tank
- Wheel bearings per prototype
- Nathan P5 horn
MSRC FEATURES:
- NEW! Non-Dynamic with roof access hatc
- 1700 gallon fuel tank
- Short hood mounted bell
- Nathan P3 horn with all bells forward
CR FEATURES:
- Ex-Lehigh Valley
- Winterized hatch
- Dynamic brakes
- Nathan K3 horn
- Smaller 1300 gallon fuel tank
NEGS FEATURES:
- NEW! Non-Dynamic with roof access hatches
- 1700 gallon fuel tank
- Ex Rock Island #1341
- Dual cab strobes (effect in DCC)
- Non-dynamic brake
- Front and rear plows
- Nathan P5 horn
- Expert provided artwork
SBC FEATURES:
- Eye-catching orange paint scheme
- Leslie 3-chime horn
- Dynamic brakes
- 1700 gallon fuel tank
NW FEATURES:
- Pelver blue scheme with the “hamburger” logo
- Dynamic or Non-Dynamic per road number
- 1700 gallon fuel tank
- Pilots with footboards
SOU FEATURES:
- Ex-CG/TA&G
- Non-dynamic brakes
- Short hood forward operation
- Horn and bell placement per road num
- Small 1300 gallon fuel tank
ROCK FEATURES:
- NEW! Non-Dynamic with roof access hatches
- Early Pyle headlights
- Firecracker antenna
- Early “pipe” style handrails
- Nathan P-5 horn
PROTOTYPE AND BACKGROUND INFO:
In 1949, EMD introduced the GP7. The basic design followed most diesel switchers with the addition of a short hood instead of an end-cab. The hoods were also full height to better accommodate the diesel engine and mechanical and electrical components.
Many railroads chose to rebuild their GP7s and GP9s for continued service. Often times, it was cheaper to do this rather than purchasing brand-new locomotives. Some railroads adopted a GP7R designation to indicate a rebuilt unit.
The EMD GP18 began production in late 1959 and was based on the builder’s extraordinarily successful GP9, although the latter model was still in production at the time. The GP18 is considered the last of the builder’s “first generation” models. Similar in appearance to the GP7 and GP9, the GP18 was slightly more powerful and came with the option of a low or high short cab hood, something that had only been upon special request with EMD’s first two road switcher models. It used the final version of General Motors first locomotive prime mover, the 16-cylinder model 567D1 which could produce 1,800 horsepower, the most powerful in the series up to that time. At just over 56 feet in length the GP18 was the same length as its predecessor models and was visually very similar, with the exception of new radiator grills which were also used on the GP20.
While thousands of GP7s and GP9s were produced just a few hundred GP18s were ultimately built for a little more than two dozen railroads. Today, several GP18s remain in operation on numerous shortlines and industrial operations around the country.
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Refund Policy
Return & Refund Policy
Effective October 1, 2025
Factory Direct Hobbies has a 30-day return policy, which means you have 30 days after your item has shipped to request a return.
To be eligible for a return, your item must be in the same condition that you received it and in its original packaging. All manuals, parts, and accessories must be included.
To start a return, visit our Returns Center. If your return is approved, we'll email you instructions on how and where to send your package. Items sent back to us without first requesting a return will not be accepted and will be returned to sender.
Defective or Damaged Items
- If your product is defective, damaged, or we made an error, you can return it at no cost.
- Whenever possible, defective items are routed directly to the distributor for credit. If that’s not an option, items may be returned to Arden as a fallback.
- Refunds are issued to your original payment method. If the original method is unavailable, store credit will be issued. After six months, only store credit is available.
Returns Due to Ordering Mistakes
This applies to incorrect scale, color, size, or duplicate orders:
- Store Credit: 10% restocking fee, customer responsible for returning shipping.
- Refund to Original Payment: 15% restocking fee, customer responsible for returning shipping.
- Our Error Exception: If FDH shipped the wrong item, no restocking fee or return shipping charge applies.
Loose Track, Components, O Scale, and Special Orders
Returns of loose track, small components, O scale items, and special-order items incur a 15% restocking fee. Return shipping is deducted whether you choose store credit or a refund.
Damages and Issues
Please inspect your order upon receipt and contact us immediately if the item is defective, damaged, or if you receive the wrong item, so we can evaluate the issue and make it right.
Exceptions / Non-Returnable Items
- Gift cards and digital/downloadable products
- Items marked final sale, clearance, or otherwise non-returnable on the product page
- Items that have been used, modified, or are missing parts, manuals, or original packaging
- Some manufacturers handle warranty issues directly. If that applies, we’ll help you contact them
Exchanges
The fastest way to ensure you get what you want is to return the item you have and place a new order for the replacement on our website. Please note that we cannot process manual exchanges over the phone.
Refunds and Processing Time
We will notify you once we’ve received and inspected your return, and let you know if the refund was approved.
- Approved refunds are issued within 7–10 business days.
- Refunds go to your original payment method when possible. In some cases, store credit may be issued instead.
- Your bank or card issuer may take additional time to process and post the refund.
Orders Placed Before October 1, 2025
Orders placed before this date follow the previous return policy.
Need Help?
If you have questions about a return or warranty, please contact our support team and include your order number so we can assist you quickly.
