Can a Factory Painted GP40 Model be Improved? Model Showcase HO Scale Atlas SSW GP40M2 7277

Dan's HO scale model of Cotton Belt 7277 started out as a factory painted Atlas GP40. Dan changed some details, added more, and weathered the engine so that it looked more like the real SSW 7277, a GP40M2.

MorrisonKnudsen built a number of fouraxle GP40M2 diesels for Southern Pacific and subsidiary Cotton Belt in the early 1990s.

These diesels were rebuilt from older GP40s. This particular engine, Cotton Belt 7277, once served on the Western Pacific.

Though they looked like regular GP40s on the outside, the GP40M2s had many internal upgrades to bring them up to EMD's Dash2 standards. They were basically equivalent to a GP402.

Dan's HO scale model train has custom lighting, including ditch lights and a beacon. The engine is equipped with an ESU LokSound DCC and sound decoder.

In this video, Dan talks a little about the prototype history of the real locomotive, as well as the details and modifications he made to the model.

He even takes it for a spin on the HO scale modular layout!

If you're a fan of 1990s motive power, the SP, Cotton Belt, or you just want to take a look at one of Dan's completed builds, then be sure to check out this video!

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