Real Train Database

Real-world prototypes that inspired HO scale models

Every HO scale model is based on a real-world prototype — the actual locomotive or railcar that inspired its design. Understanding the prototype helps modelers choose accurate paint schemes, match equipment to the correct era, and build realistic consists. An EMD SD40-2 in BNSF heritage paint, for instance, tells a different story than one in original Burlington Northern green.

The TrainDex prototype database covers hundreds of diesel locomotive families (EMD, GE, Alco, and others), freight car types (boxcars, covered hoppers, tank cars, gondolas, and well cars), and passenger equipment (Budd streamliners, Pullman heavyweights, Amtrak Superliners). Each entry includes builder history, production dates, technical specifications, operating railroads, and a cross-reference to every HO scale model available from tracked manufacturers.

Total Prototypes
243
Diesel Locomotives
188
Freight Cars
40
Passenger Cars
15

188 results in Diesel Locomotive

Technical Specifications

DesignationGE C39-8
BuilderGE
TypeRoad Switcher
Years Built1983-1987
Total Built161
Horsepower3900

History

The GE C39-8 was developed by General Electric Transportation Systems as part of the company's Dash 8 series of freight locomotives, representing an important step in GE's effort to produce a new gen…

Technical Notes

The C39-8 is a six-axle diesel-electric locomotive riding on a C-C wheel arrangement, with each axle powered by a GE 752AG traction motor. Prime mover duties a…

Model Manufacturers

Models by: ScaleTrains

Available as HO Models (1)

ScaleTrains

GE Dash 8-32B

Dash 8-32B

Technical Specifications

DesignationGE Dash 8-32B
BuilderGE
TypeRoad Switcher
Years Built1987-1988
Total Built50
Horsepower3150

History

The GE Dash 8-32B was a four-axle diesel-electric locomotive produced by General Electric Transportation as part of the broader Dash 8 series, which represented a significant advancement in freight l…

Technical Notes

The Dash 8-32B rides on a B-B wheel arrangement, meaning two two-axle powered trucks support the locomotive, with all four axles motorized using direct current…

Model Manufacturers

Models by: Atlas

Available as HO Models (1)

GE Dash 8-32C

Dash 8-32C

Technical Specifications

DesignationGE Dash 8-32C
BuilderGE
TypeRoad Switcher
Years Built1984-1989
Total Built10
Horsepower3150

History

The Dash 8-32C, also designated the C32-8, was among the earliest production examples of General Electric's Dash 8 series, which succeeded the earlier Dash 7 line in the mid-1980s. Only ten units wer…

Technical Notes

The Dash 8-32C was powered by the GE 7FDL-12, a twelve-cylinder turbocharged four-stroke diesel engine producing 3,150 horsepower, distinguishing it from the m…

GE Dash 8-39B

Dash 8-39B

Technical Specifications

DesignationGE Dash 8-39B
BuilderGE
TypeRoad Switcher
Years Built1984-1988
Total Built47
Horsepower3900

History

The GE Dash 8-39B, designated by GE Transportation Systems as the B39-8, was part of the broader Dash 8 family of freight locomotives that General Electric developed during the 1980s as the company w…

Technical Notes

The B39-8 was built around GE's FDL16 prime mover, a sixteen-cylinder version of the FDL engine family that had been a cornerstone of GE locomotive design for …

GE Dash 8-40B

Dash 8-40B

Technical Specifications

DesignationGE Dash 8-40B
BuilderGE
TypeRoad Switcher
Years Built1988-1994
Total Built83
Horsepower4000

History

The GE Dash 8-40B, also referred to by the designation B40-8, was part of General Electric's Dash 8 series of freight locomotives, a family of road units that represented a significant step forward i…

Technical Notes

The Dash 8-40B is a four-axle diesel-electric locomotive riding on a B-B wheel arrangement, meaning it uses two two-axle powered trucks. Motive power is provid…

Model Manufacturers

Models by: Atlas · Walthers

Available as HO Models (2)

standard

GE Dash 8-40BW

Dash 8-40BW

Technical Specifications

DesignationGE Dash 8-40BW
BuilderGE
TypeRoad Switcher
Years Built1990-1994
Total Built84
Horsepower4000

History

The GE Dash 8-40BW, also commonly referred to as the B40-8W, was a four-axle diesel-electric locomotive produced by General Electric Transportation between 1990 and 1994. A total of 84 units were con…

Technical Notes

The Dash 8-40BW is powered by a General Electric FDL16 prime mover, a 16-cylinder turbocharged diesel engine that produces 4,000 horsepower. The locomotive rid…

Model Manufacturers

Models by: Atlas · Broadway Limited · Walthers

Available as HO Models (3)

DCCSoundpremium
Broadway Limited
DCCSoundpremium

GE Dash 8-40C

Dash 8-40C

Technical Specifications

DesignationGE Dash 8-40C
BuilderGE
TypeRoad Switcher
Years Built1987-1992
Total Built835
Horsepower4000

History

The GE Dash 8-40C, designated by General Electric as the C40-8, entered production in 1987 as part of the broader Dash 8 series of freight locomotives. The Dash 8 line represented a significant advan…

Technical Notes

The Dash 8-40C is a diesel-electric locomotive riding on a C-C wheel arrangement, meaning it uses two three-axle powered trucks, giving it six powered axles in…

Model Manufacturers

Models by: Atlas

Available as HO Models (1)

GE Dash 8-40CM

Dash 8-40CM

Technical Specifications

DesignationGE Dash 8-40CM
BuilderGE
TypeRoad Switcher
Years Built1990-1994
Total Built84
Horsepower4000

History

The GE Dash 8-40CM, also designated by GE as the C40-8M, was a six-axle diesel-electric locomotive produced by GE Transportation Systems between 1990 and 1994 exclusively for Canadian railway operato…

Technical Notes

The Dash 8-40CM was powered by a GE 7FDL-16 prime mover, a sixteen-cylinder turbocharged diesel engine producing 4,000 horsepower. This engine drove a GE GMG18…

Model Manufacturers

Models by: Rapido Trains

Available as HO Models (1)

Rapido Trains
$240

GE Dash 8-40CW

Dash 8-40CW

Technical Specifications

DesignationGE Dash 8-40CW
BuilderGE
TypeRoad Switcher
Years Built1989-2004
Total Built1174
Horsepower4000

History

The GE Dash 8-40CW, also known by its model designation C40-8W, entered production in December 1989 when General Electric delivered the first example, numbered 9356, to the Union Pacific Railroad. Th…

Technical Notes

The Dash 8-40CW is powered by GE's 7FDL16 prime mover, a turbocharged V16 diesel engine producing 4,000 horsepower. Output from the engine drives a GE GMG187 m…

Model Manufacturers

Models by: Atlas · MTH

Available as HO Models (5)

$220
DCCstandard

+ 1 more model

GE Dash 8-41CW

Dash 8-41CW

Technical Specifications

DesignationGE Dash 8-41CW
BuilderGE
TypeRoad Switcher
Years Built1993-1994
Total Built35
Horsepower4135

History

The GE Dash 8-41CW, designated by GE as the C41-8W, represents a higher-output variant of the widely produced Dash 8-40CW road freight locomotive. The model emerged in the final years of Dash 8 serie…

Technical Notes

The Dash 8-41CW is powered by the GE FDL16, a sixteen-cylinder version of GE's long-running FDL engine family, tuned to produce 4,135 horsepower, a modest but …

GE Dash 8-44CW

Dash 8-44CW

Technical Specifications

DesignationGE Dash 8-44CW
BuilderGE
TypeRoad Switcher
Years Built1994
Total Built36
Horsepower4400

History

The GE Dash 8-44CW, also referred to as the C44-8W, was produced by GE Transportation Systems at the company's Erie, Pennsylvania manufacturing facility. A total of 36 units were constructed in 1994,…

Technical Notes

The Dash 8-44CW is powered by GE's FDL16 prime mover, a 16-cylinder version of the long-running FDL engine family that served as the backbone of GE's diesel-el…

GE Dash 9-40C

Dash 9-40C

Technical Specifications

DesignationGE Dash 9-40C
BuilderGE

History

The GE Dash 9-40C, designated by GE Transportation as the C40-9, was a diesel-electric locomotive produced at GE's manufacturing facility in Erie, Pennsylvania. Production of the type was remarkably …

Technical Notes

The C40-9 was rated at 4,000 horsepower and powered by GE's 7FDL-16 prime mover, a sixteen-cylinder engine that placed it a step below the 4,400-horsepower 7FD…

Operating Railroads

Model Manufacturers

Models by: Athearn

GE Dash 9-40CW

Dash 9-40CW

Technical Specifications

DesignationGE Dash 9-40CW
BuilderGE
TypeRoad Switcher
Years Built1996-2004
Total Built1444
Horsepower4000

History

The GE Dash 9-40CW emerged from General Electric's Transportation Systems division in Erie, Pennsylvania, as part of the broader Dash 9 locomotive family. Production ran from January 1996 through Dec…

Technical Notes

The Dash 9-40CW is a six-axle diesel-electric locomotive arranged in a C-C wheel configuration and rated at 4,000 horsepower. It shares its principal mechanica…

Operating Railroads

Model Manufacturers

Models by: Athearn

GE Dash 9-44CW

Dash 9-44CW

Technical Specifications

DesignationGE Dash 9-44CW
BuilderGE
TypeRoad Switcher
Years Built1993-2004
Total Built3737
Horsepower4400

History

The GE Dash 9-44CW emerged in 1993 as part of General Electric Transportation's evolution of its successful line of high-horsepower road locomotives. Building on lessons learned from earlier Dash 7 a…

Technical Notes

The Dash 9-44CW is a six-axle, C-C wheel arrangement diesel-electric locomotive producing 4,400 horsepower from a 16-cylinder GE 7FDL engine, designated the FD…

Model Manufacturers

Models by: Athearn · Bachmann · Broadway Limited · Kato · MTH · ScaleTrains

Available as HO Models (106)

$220
premium
$220
premium
ScaleTrains
$215

+ 102 more models

GE Dash 9-44CWL

Dash 9-44CWL

Technical Specifications

DesignationGE Dash 9-44CWL
BuilderGE

History

The GE Dash 9-44CWL is a variant within General Electric's Dash 9 family of diesel-electric locomotives, which emerged in the early 1990s as GE Transportation Systems of Erie, Pennsylvania continued …

Technical Notes

The Dash 9-44CWL shares its fundamental mechanical architecture with others in the Dash 9 family, built around a 16-cylinder version of GE's 7FDL prime mover p…

Model Manufacturers

Models by: Athearn

Available as HO Models (14)

GE ES40DC

ES40DC

Technical Specifications

DesignationGE ES40DC
BuilderGE
TypeRoad Switcher
Years Built2003-2014
Total Built1013
Horsepower4000

History

The GE ES40DC emerged from General Electric's broader Evolution Series program, which was developed to comply with the United States Environmental Protection Agency's Tier 2 emissions standards sched…

Technical Notes

The ES40DC is a six-axle road switcher configured with a C-C wheel arrangement, meaning two three-axle trucks each driven by individual traction motors. Power …

Operating Railroads

Model Manufacturers

Models by: Athearn

GE ES44AC

ES44AC

Technical Specifications

DesignationGE ES44AC
BuilderGE
TypeRoad Switcher
Years Built2003-2018
Total Built4100+
Horsepower4400

History

The GE ES44AC entered production in 2003 as part of General Electric's Evolution Series, a new line of diesel locomotives developed to comply with increasingly stringent emissions regulations set by …

Technical Notes

The ES44AC is a six-axle road switcher arranged in a C-C wheel configuration, with three powered axles per truck. Power comes from GE's GEVO-12 prime mover, a …

Model Manufacturers

Models by: Athearn · Bachmann · Broadway Limited · Intermountain · Kato · MTH · ScaleTrains · Walthers

Available as HO Models (212)

GE ES44ACH

ES44ACH

Technical Specifications

DesignationGE ES44ACH
BuilderGE
TypeRoad Switcher
Years Built2008-2015
Total Built300+
Horsepower4400

History

The ES44ACH represents a specialized variant within GE Transportation's widely successful Evolution Series locomotive family. The designation breaks down to indicate an Evolution Series locomotive pr…

Technical Notes

The ES44ACH is powered by GE's GEVO-12 prime mover, a 12-cylinder diesel engine that forms the heart of the entire Evolution Series. This engine was specifical…

Model Manufacturers

Models by: ScaleTrains

Available as HO Models (4)

GE ES44C4

ES44C4

Technical Specifications

DesignationGE ES44C4
BuilderGE
TypeRoad Switcher
Years Built2009-2015
Total Built500+
Horsepower4400

History

The GE ES44C4 emerged in 2009 as a specialized variant within General Electric Transportation's highly successful Evolution Series lineup, which had itself been developed in the early 2000s to meet i…

Technical Notes

The ES44C4 is powered by GE's GEVO-12 prime mover, the same twelve-cylinder turbocharged diesel engine used across the Evolution Series, producing 4,400 horsep…

Model Manufacturers

Models by: Athearn · Intermountain · ScaleTrains

Available as HO Models (5)

$413
DCCSoundpremium
$330
DCCSoundstandard
$320
DCCSoundpremium
$275
premium

+ 1 more model

GE ES44DC

ES44DC

Technical Specifications

DesignationGE ES44DC
BuilderGE
TypeRoad Switcher
Years Built2003-2016
Total Built2270
Horsepower4400

History

The GE ES44DC emerged as part of General Electric's Evolution Series, a family of diesel locomotives developed to comply with the United States Environmental Protection Agency's Tier 2 emissions stan…

Technical Notes

The ES44DC rides on a C-C wheel arrangement, meaning two three-axle trucks support the carbody, with all six axles powered by DC traction motors. The prime mov…

Model Manufacturers

Models by: Athearn · Intermountain · Kato · Walthers

Available as HO Models (78)

$340
DCCSoundpremium
Athearn

+ 74 more models

GE ET44AC

ET44AC

Technical Specifications

DesignationGE ET44AC
BuilderGE
TypeRoad Switcher
Years Built2012-present
Total Built2500+
Horsepower4400

History

The GE ET44AC represents the Tier 4 evolution of GE Transportation's highly successful Evolution Series locomotive family, entering production in 2012 as a direct successor to the ES44AC. The designa…

Technical Notes

The ET44AC is powered by the GEVO-12, a 12-cylinder version of GE's purpose-built GEVO engine family. In its Tier 4 configuration, the GEVO-12 incorporates hig…

Model Manufacturers

Models by: Broadway Limited · Intermountain · ScaleTrains · Walthers

Available as HO Models (6)

Intermountain
ScaleTrains
ScaleTrains
Broadway Limited
DCCSoundpremium

+ 2 more models

GE ET44ACH

ET44ACH

Technical Specifications

DesignationGE ET44ACH
BuilderGE/Wabtec
TypeRoad Freight Locomotive
Years Built2023-present
Total Built50+
Horsepower4400

History

The ET44ACH is a heavy ballasted variant of General Electric's Evolution Series Tier 4 locomotive, produced by Wabtec, the company that acquired GE Transportation in 2019. The designation reflects it…

Technical Notes

The ET44ACH is powered by the GEVO-12, a twelve-cylinder turbocharged diesel engine developed by GE and compliant with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency…

Model Manufacturers

Models by: ScaleTrains

Available as HO Models (3)

$413
DCCSoundpremium
$275
premium
$105
basic

GE ET44AH

ET44AH

Technical Specifications

DesignationGE ET44AH
BuilderGE
TypeRoad Switcher
Years Built2019-present
Total Built100+
Horsepower4400

History

The ET44AH is a variant of GE Transportation's Evolution Series Tier 4 locomotive, representing a heavy-ballasted configuration of the ET44AC designed for demanding freight service requiring maximum …

Technical Notes

The ET44AH is powered by the GE GEVO-12 prime mover, a twelve-cylinder engine producing 4,400 horsepower, the same output as other members of the ET44 family. …

GE ET44C4

ET44C4

Technical Specifications

DesignationGE ET44C4
BuilderGE
TypeRoad Switcher
Years Built2015-present
Total Built500+
Horsepower4400

History

The ET44C4 is a member of GE Transportation's Evolution Series, representing the Tier 4 emissions-compliant generation of that locomotive family. It shares its fundamental lineage with the earlier ES…

Technical Notes

The ET44C4 is powered by the GEVO-12, a 12-cylinder turbocharged diesel engine producing 4,400 horsepower, the same output found across the 44-series Evolution…

Model Manufacturers

Models by: Intermountain · ScaleTrains

Available as HO Models (5)

$220
DCCSoundstandard
$170
DCCstandard

+ 1 more model