Atlas 10004214 DASH 8-40C Norfolk Southern #8717 (black, white) front ditch lights DCC & Sound HO Scale

This HO scale Atlas 10004214 DASH 8-40C locomotive represents Norfolk Southern #8717 in black and white. The picture might show a different road number. First built for Union Pacific in the late 1980s by General Electric, the DASH 8-40C diesel locomotives feature an enlarged exhaust stack and dynamic brake grids in a square unit behind the cab with an enlarged equipment blower fan. These 4,000 hp six-axle engines are still in service in North America. The 4,000hp Dash 8-40CW, a follow-up to the successful Dash 8-40C, was produced from 1989 to 1993. It introduced GE's wide-nose 'North American Safety Cab,' a common sight on US railroads. Major railroads like Conrail, CSX, Santa Fe, and Union Pacific bought it in large numbers, and many are still in mainline and heavy-haul freight service. Due to mergers, they also operate for Norfolk Southern and BNSF. Upgraded features (2024 or later) include metal couplers, improved headlight/ditchlight color and brightness, independently controlled lit number boards and marker lights, improved windshield glazing, etched metal windshield wipers, and a new cab side without sunshade mount track. Standard features are ditch lights, number boards, a realistic die-cast underframe, AccuMate® knuckle couplers, and more. The Atlas Master™ Series Gold offers support for all DCC-programming modes, flexible function key mapping, and adherence to NMRA DCC standards. The ESU LokSound provides over 20 sound effects, user-selectable horns, bells, and brake squeals, plus manual and automatic notching modes for realism.

Using your HO scale Atlas DASH 8-40C locomotive is a breeze. First, make sure you have a compatible DCC system set up. You can easily control the locomotive's movement, lights, and sounds through the DCC controller. The locomotive supports all DCC-programming modes, so you can customize the function keys F0 to F31 according to your preference. When it comes to the sound effects, there are over 20 of them available. You can start the engine, hear the prime mover through all eight notches, ring the bell, blow the horn, and more. Just use the DCC controller to select the desired sound. For the upgraded features like the independently controlled lit number boards and marker lights, you can also control them via the DCC system. As for maintenance, keep the locomotive clean. You can use a soft, dry cloth to wipe off any dust. Avoid using harsh chemicals as they may damage the paint or the details. If the locomotive seems to be running less smoothly, check the wheels and axles for any debris. Also, make sure the couplers are clean and in good condition. The coupler pocket is designed to accept AccuMate® Proto - couplers, so if you need to replace the couplers, it's easy to do. Remember, the recommended minimum radius for operation is 22 inches, so make sure your track layout meets this requirement to ensure smooth running.