A Rapido Trains HO scale (1:87.1) Electro-Motive Division (EMD) GP40 diesel locomotive arrives in Model Railroader magazine’s workshop for review and testing! With cameras rolling, Senior Editor Cody Grivno takes a close look at the real-life EMD GP40, including the history of Western Pacific no. 3511, built by EMD in April 1967. The model features see-through footboard pilots, metal knuckle couplers, and factory-installed details like handrails and hoses. The review sample, which has an ESU LokSound V5 sound decoder, allows for a wide array of sound and light functions, including a headlight, bell, air horn, and even coupler crash sounds. Rapido Trains offers the model in several paint schemes, including Canadian National, Union Pacific, and Wisconsin Central. Single units with the ESU LokSound decoder retail for $349.95.
Rapido HO EMD GP40 diesel locomotive
By Kent Johnson | September 17, 2025
Press PLAY to take a closer look and listen into the details, lighting, and sound effects!
Bit of rivet counter here. Would a GP-40 normally be switching boxcars with roofwalks? Those boxcars match the era of the layout, but not the motive power being tested. Just a thought from a modern modeler who considers a GP-40 as an absolute antique.
Model railroading is fun.