SKU: ATH-4018-PRE

PREORDER Athearn HO ATH-4018 SD38 Locomotive w/DCC & Sound, TS #3967

10% down: $26.39
Our Price: $263.92
MSRP: $310.49

Note: You will reserve this item today for a 10% down payment of $26.39. Approximately 30-45 days before your item is expected at the warehouse, we will invoice you $237.53 plus shipping and any applicable taxes.

How Preorders Work

Expected release date is Apr 30, 2028


Quantity


30-Day Hassle-Free Returns

Description

PROTOTYPE AND BACKGROUND INFO:

The SD38 is a 6-axle diesel-electric locomotive built by General Motors Electro-Motive Division between May 1967 and October 1971. It had an EMD 645 16-cylinder engine generating 2,000 horsepower. The EMD SD38AC built by General Motors Electro-Motive Division between June and October 1971. It was basically an SD38 with an AR10 alternating current alternator instead of the SD38’s normal direct current generator. It also produces 2,000 horsepower from a 16-cylinder EMD 645E roots blown prime mover. It came equipped with or without dynamic brakes. The SD38 and SD38AC have the same frame as the SD39, SD40 and SD45.

In 1966, EMD updated its locomotive catalog with entirely new models, all powered by the new 645 diesel engine. The SD39 had 2,300 hp from a turbocharged V12. The SD39 had the smallest prime mover of the SD locomotives in the EMD catalog. 54 were built for American railroads.

MODEL FEATURES:

  • Fine scale handrails
  • Brake wheel or ratchet brake nose per prototype
  • See-through cab windows
  • See-through dynamic brake and radiator fans
  • DCC Ready 21-pin NEM plug
  • LED Illuminated front and rear headlights, ditch lights, and beacons (where applicable to the prototype)
  • All-wheel electrical pickup provides reliable current flow
  • Heavy die-cast frame for greater traction and more pulling power
  • Wheels with RP25 contours operate on all popular brands of track
  • Painted and printed for realistic decoration
  • Highly-detailed, injection-molded body
  • Separately-applied air tanks
  • Individually applied wire formed grab irons
  • Detailed fuel tank per prototype
  • Separately-applied detail parts
  • Non-sound version features 21-pin NEM DCC plug
  • All-wheel drive with precision gears for smooth and quiet operation
  • 5-pole motor with precision-machined flywheels and multi-link drive train for trouble free operation
  • McHenry® scale knuckle spring couplers
  • Fully-assembled and ready-to-run out of the box
  • Genesis motor retrofit kit ATHG63839 compatible
  • Minimum radius: 18” — Recommended radius: 22”

SOUND-EQUIPPED MODELS ALSO FEATURE:

  • Onboard Econami Sound by SoundTraxx
  • 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
  • Excellent Slow speed control
  • Effect lighting (if applicable) using F5 and/or F6
  • Program a multiple unit (MU) lashup with lead unit only horn, bell, and lights
  • Many functions can be altered via Configuration Value (CV) changes

ROAD NUMBER SPECIFIC FEATURES:

  • #650: Ditch lights, anti-skid on nose, “J” logo (tiled on one side), intricate striping decoration, hood-mounted bell
  • #655: Front and rear “weed cutter” plows, hood-mounted bell, standard MU stands
  • #652: Front and rear “weed cutter” plows, hood-mounted bell, standard MU stands

CR FEATURES:

  • Former PC units
  • White frame stripe
  • Leslie RS3L horn
  • Sinclair antenna
  • Standard MU stands
  • Clasp-brake trucks

EJE FEATURES:

  • All-weather windows
  • Strobe on cab roof (flash effect on DCC/sound version)

DMRI FEATURES:

  • RS5T horn
  • Cab-mounted beacon
  • Unique underframe details
  • Hood-mounted bel
  • Sinclair antenna
  • Anti-skid on cab and nose
  • Extra air hoses

PC FEATURES:

  • Leslie RS3L horn
  • Standard MU stands
  • Footboards
  • Sinclair antenna
  • Clasp-brake trucks
  • Pilot grabs

AGW FEATURES:

  • Details similar to EJE 650

TS FEATURES:

  • Details similar to EJE 650; no beacon

SP FEATURES:

  • P3 Horn
  • SP/UP style plow on front and rear pilots
  • Flexicoil high-brake trucks
  • FARR radiator grills

ATSF FEATURES:

  • RS3L horn
  • Stratolight beacon on cab roof (DCC info)
  • Footboard pilots
  • Flexicoil high-brake trucks
  • Chicken Wire radiator grills

ITC FEATURES:

  • RS3L horn
  • MU hose holder pilots
  • Flexicoil high-brake trucks
  • Chicken Wire radiator grills

BM FEATURES:

  • RS3L horn
  • MU hose holder pilots
  • Flexicoil high-brake trucks
  • Chicken Wire radiator grills

Preorders: Frequently Asked Questions

What is preordering and why would I want to do that?

In the model railroading world, most products are made in limited runs. Manufacturers no longer produce large quantities to sit in warehouses. Instead, they announce new items and set a preorder deadline. After that date, production is based largely on the number of reservations received.

Preordering through Model Train Stuff guarantees your spot in line for these limited releases. When the products arrive, orders are filled in the order they were placed. The earlier you preorder, the better your chance of getting your items, even if there are shipping delays or shortfalls from the manufacturer.

Preordering is as easy as 1-2-3!

  1. Preordering is available on any item with the word "Preorder" as the first word in the product title.
  2. We will email your invoice approximately 30-45 days before your preorder items land at the warehouse. With the interactive invoice you can select your preferred shipping method and pay the balance of your order right online!
  3. We'll ship you your preorder once your invoice is paid online. 

How can I place a preorder?

To place a preorder, simply look for items marked with "PREORDER" in their title on our website. Add the item to your cart and proceed to checkout. You'll be required to pay a 10% non-refundable deposit to secure your reservation.

When will I be charged for my preorder?

You'll be charged a 10% deposit at the time of placing your preorder. The remaining balance, along with any applicable sales tax and shipping charges, will be due when the item is ready to be shipped. We'll notify you via email with a link to complete your payment.

Can I cancel my preorder?

Preorders can be canceled, but please note that the 10% deposit is non-refundable and will not be credited to store credit, as it goes toward covering the cost of the uncollected reservation.

When will my preorder ship?

The estimated shipping date for each preorder item is listed on the product page. We'll also keep you updated via email if there are any changes to the shipping schedule. Once your final payment is received, your item will be shipped according to your selected shipping method.

What happens if a preorder item is delayed or canceled by the manufacturer?

In the rare event that a preorder item is delayed or canceled by the manufacturer, we'll notify you as soon as possible. You can choose to wait for the item, apply your deposit to a different item, or request a refund or store credit for your deposit.

How do I check the status of my preorder?

You can check the status of your preorder by logging into your account on our website and viewing your order history. We'll also keep you updated via email with any important information regarding your preorder.

What if I have more questions about preordering?

If you have any further questions about preordering, feel free to contact our customer service team. We're here to help you with any inquiries you may have.