HO Scale: Union Pacific's DDA40X

Filmed 6/14/14
I will start with apologizing for no videos in the past week, I got sick with food poisoning Wednesday, and have still not fully recovered from it. Today was the first day I've felt well enough to sit at the computer for any length of time to put a video together.
Now, about this beast...
Gotta say, Athearn has completely impressed me with this locomotive. The sound is incredible in person, and it runs amazingly well. Two motors with two factory Tsunami sound decoders that are perfectly matched. The only thing I think is a bit lacking is it's overall weight. I have no doubt extra weight can be added which will only increase it's already impressive pulling power.
Visually, the only real inaccuracy on it is the red side sill stripe. If you want a representation of how it appears today, it should have a yellow stripe. But that is an easy fix with some decals. Also, the beacon does flash, but is not very bright and one of the ditchlights is slightly dimmer than the other. Again, these are things that can be corrected. Otherwise, this unit is flat out amazing.
I could have put twice the amount of cars behind this unit and it wouldn't even break a sweat. I visually compared it with the Bachmann Plus Centennial and well, there is no comparison. The Genesis unit blows it away in every category except the overall weight.
Anyway, if you ever get the chance to own one, do so. You won't be disappointed!
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Shane's Channel:
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[@williamb8415]

Nice layout, don't think I have ever seen white refrigerated cars before but I like the concept, makes sense.

[@theodorethompson9032]

I've worked on the 6936. It sits now in the shop i work at. There's repairs waiting on approval.

[@J3scribe]

The one time I saw a DD40 in action was in Wyoming in the mid 1970s. Dad paced the train for a good long way between Oakley and Granger along US 30. The Centennial led 3 SD40-2s and a relatively short manifest train, may 60 cars. Was hauling ass down the line. A thrilling sight to see! Thanks for the vid!

[@blkstang83]

I know I am late commenting on this video since it was put up in 2014 and I am just now seeing it. But, it is an outstanding video. Who ever is your camera person, they are amazing. That tracking shot of the engine rolling down the tracks and them moving with the engine was just amazing. I really like watching your videos, even though I am late in watching some of them. Thanks for all the videos and for all the work that is put into them and for sharing them.

[@clashofminiatures]

great video Jason I'm assuming this is filmed on a club layout, if not may I move in and live under the bench work LOL thanks for sharing, Chuck

[@RailfanJason]

Thanks Chuck! Yes this is at the HO Club I belong too. I live in an apartment, so no room for a layout. So, this is "my" layout. :D By the way, the layout is 76'x56' so there's plenty of room under the bench work!

[@clashofminiatures]

LOL, I'm packing

[@billsalvey]

for a minute there i thought it was real.

[@RailfanJason]

haha... if only! Thanks.

[@rockyfanatic6846]

Railfan Jason how many cars is that

[@bobbynickerson7631]

WWWOOWWWW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@coltonstigall32]

Great Video! Eventually, You Should Do a Video Of This Locomotive Pulling a Massive UP Passenger Special, The UP DDA40X Is Strong And Reliable Enough To Pull a Massive Passenger Special, Especially a Massive Freight

[@robertswickard1262]

Athearn's DDa40x fuel tanks are much to close to the rail head Prototypical there should be 16 inches clearance . The Bachmann's version is more easier to fix the problem And the prototype was not as good as many people think !!!!! They were limited to 35 mph over every turn out , system wide (( later to be used as trailing units )) because of the uneven torque in each truck with all gearing on one side , The crews actually liked the U50's much better with the proven ( trade in running gear ) span bolstered GE 2 truck system from the 4500 HP turbines Had a much better adhesion , flexibility , even torque compared to a long flex coil truck . Now today , we have only a 3 axle radial truck because of ( climbing the rail head in curves ) Something steam engine crews have always complained about

[@AlainHubert]

The jerky motion starting @0:38 killed the illusion for me. Sorry.

[@daviddurbin808]

Jason that is a amazing locomotive and I thank you for sharing this video with us! We are blessed to have the real #6938 in North little Rock's Jenks Shop on display, it is truly a beast of a locomotive!

[@RailfanJason]

Thanks David. Ive been to NLR and was able to go on a tour of the shop and got to see 6938 too. Awesome place to get to see. Glad you enjoyed the video!

[@terrellhoward5231]

Jason that is one damn sweeeeet locomotive. I really look hard at that unit, but the BNSF directors told me no. Damn business people. By the way she's awesome.

[@alwayslive7460]

UNTIL I SAW IT MOZEY OUTTA THE SHOP AND EVEN THEREAFTER.. I WAS CONVINCED I WAS WATCHING A LIFE SIZE ENGINE.. GREAT IMAGERY

[@haroldsmuck3569]

Does anyone know the minimum radius that this engine DDA40X can without any difficulties in N scale?Thanking anyone who can or knows that information I would be very much appreciated.

[@4gauge10]

Harold Smuck In"N"GAUGE,it would be recommended to run a"BIG-BOY"(4-8-8-4)or CENTENNIAL(DD-40EX) or U-50 on 19"radius or larger.This would look so much better with about 58-60 cars sweeping a banked mainline curve,it isn't funny.🚅💨

[@jasonthomas8602]

This was an awesome video and the detail was incredible.

[@RailfanJason]

Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it.

[@paulkirkmanMYTRAINS]

Really nice video. Awesome reefer train. Thanks for sharing it.

[@RailfanJason]

Thanks, glad you enjoyed it.

[@dewdewism]

Very Cool!!!...!

[@darekchomik5377]

Love this !

[@MPHTrains]

Excellent engine and video Jason!

[@Ricmann3]

VERY GOOD!!!

[@terrellhoward5231]

Beautiful unit

[@NgaiOlaudah]

Beautiful and THRILLING! Thank you.

[@RailfanJason]

Thank you, goad you enjoyed it!

[@heinzwalkowiak4872]

Gibt es die Lok auch als Modell in HO AC

[@jawbreaker14878]

amazing video,...

[@kernanhosea2024]

HEY why some of the IC stuff is that the greenD or CITY OF N ORLEANS thier. K

[@RailfanJason]

Um... I'm not exactly sure what you mean.

[@pooliramesh4497]

Beautiful

[@michaelglass4701]

BEAUTIFUL

[@kcirrednosrednad3596]

591,000 lbs of pure KICK ASS!!!

[@RailfanJason]

Yes it is.

[@arthurfrancodelimajunior1747]

Nice vídeo

[@JungleYT]

HO has come a long way since I messed with it in the 1970s!!!

[@RailfanJason]

Yes it has. :D

[@NS8010]

Wow Jason that thing is beautiful!! Sooooo cool!! Yeah I got a DDA40X but its an old tyco lol. It was like $20 In 1987 lol. Nice video Jason!!

[@RailfanJason]

I agree, it's about the most impressive locomotive I've come across. It IS beautiful! Now, whenever I get my Big Boy up and going, I'll have to do a pull off between the two. Find out just who is "The King." :D Thanks Spencer!

[@jgehbinv]

What is the minimum track turning radius for that thing?

[@RailfanJason]

22" I believe.

[@jeffreyrule8143]

👍👍👍

[@marambaron]

Pardon my naïveté, but why is it called diesel when it runs on electric track or does it even?

[@RailfanJason]

The models or run on electricity, but the real ones are diesel electric.

[@marambaron]

Railfan Jason , Gotcha,. So if I get the model HO scale train from Amazon, it will say diesel as the real one does, but the toy is actually electric? Sounds right?

[@RailfanJason]

@@marambaron yes, all HO scale model trains are electric; steam, diesel, all of them.

[@JosephCee]

i feel like the biggest dork for watching this but i cant look away..

[@grandparails8858]

Nice!

[@RailfanJason]

Thanks!

[@LouisianaRailProductions]

Dang sucks that you got food poisoned. BTW that is one of Athearns best to me. I don't think I can afford one of those guys especially since I just bought the Intermountain Central of Georgia heritage unit.

[@RailfanJason]

Yeah, I don't recommend it Bishop, haven't felt that bad in years. But yeah, sadly, not many people can afford one of these units. $499.99 MSRP is way out of many people's price range. Fortunately, the guy I'm getting this from knocked $120 off and is letting me make payments, otherwise, it wouldn't happen.

[@RailRide]

@@RailfanJason $499 MSRP eh? That's pretty close to what the MTH 3-rail 'O' gauge version lists for. Significantly more than 50% of it, anyway.

[@CMBMedia]

Nice loco! I just bought two loco's a KCS AC4400CW and a BNSF dash 9 for $50 total. They need work but I thought it was worth it

[@RailfanJason]

Thanks! Sounds good, and working on them is part of the fun. What brands are they?

[@CMBMedia]

***** Yeah it is, although one has a bad connector rod the KCS. They are both Athearn RTR from the early 2000's

[@dacuzzz]

nice run session Jason... love the dda40x.. also like when you pace the run.. thanks for posting vinny

[@RailfanJason]

Thanks Vinny. Those pacing shots are tricky... have to hold the camera as still as I can while walking backwards. Then avoiding other trains, trees, telephone poles, looking over my shoulder so that nothing gets in my way as I'm walking backwards, and keeping the throttle ready in case something does go wrong. But yes, cool shots like that are the reward. :D

[@thebrakeman17]

***** That is what i have a tripod with wheels. Great vid.

[@RailfanJason]

Tripod on wheels. Now you've actually got me thinking about something... and when I start thinking, things can get dangerous. :D Thanks Shane!

[@wharris302]

damn that thing is powerful how many cars was that?

[@RailfanJason]

There's around 35 cars on that train. The DD40 was barely breaking a sweat. Could pull twice that.

[@wharris302]

+Railfan Jason that's very impressive.

[@RonPare]

What do you use for the leaves on the ground. The realism is remarkeable!

[@RailfanJason]

Thanks, we all just use various types of Woodland Scenics ground foam. Comes in a variety of shades from browns and yellows to light and dark greens, in fine, medium and course textures.

[@RonPare]

***** You gotta be kidding me! Does it really look that good IRL?

[@RailfanJason]

I think it does. I use an HD camera, so pretty much what you see is what we got! :D

[@RonPare]

***** im trying the stuff for sure. i model fall.

[@RailfanJason]

Ron Pare I actually have a module planned for some future project that will be set in late October. It'll have a dark, creepy, eerie Halloween theme. mwahaha...

[@turbochargedtractionproduc8073]

Does this beast have the original sound chip?

[@RailfanJason]

Yeah, they recorded the real 6936 for the sounds on this unit.

[@turbochargedtractionproduc8073]

Railfan Jason okay thanks seeing if it's worth getting for my layout

[@RailfanJason]

My only complaint with it is that the flashing beacon is pretty dim. Otherwise, it's awesome.

[@EaglesLair27]

How much does this loco cost?

[@RailfanJason]

They are out of production now, but sound equipped, they retailed for around $500.

[@RailfanJason]

They are out of production now, but sound equipped, they retailed for around $500.

[@like5cookies]

where did you buy this?

[@RailfanJason]

From a local hobby shop that closed down a few years ago.

[@like5cookies]

awww mann :( lucky you! im hoping to find one as well

[@EspeeGoldenState]

Those cars need some graffiti! Too white :)

[@RailfanJason]

I know, I know! It's just taking the time, effort, and money (for the graffiti decals) to do it. I don't have the creative eye to do that kind of art. :D