HO Athearn AC4400CW Locomotive NS Railroaders Tribute 4822 (ATH-2561)

HO scale GE AC4400CW diesel locomotive in Norfolk Southern’s Railroaders Tribute livery is a ready-to-run model designed for HO layouts. Based on GE’s AC4400CW, introduced in 1993 and widely used across North American railroads, this Athearn replica captures the locomotive’s distinctive silhouette and the NS Railroaders Tribute paint scheme. It’s part of the Legendary Liveries lineup, offering iconic schemes that appeal to both collectors and operators.

Designed for authentic operation, the model features illuminated ditch lights, see-through cab windows, factory sunshades, and finely detailed grab irons and handrails. It rides on a heavy die-cast frame with a 5-pole motor for smooth, quiet pulling power and is DCC-ready with Quick Plug plug-and-play technology using a 21-pin NEM connector. The model arrives fully assembled and ready to run, with McHenry operating couplers and RP25 wheel contours for reliable track performance. NS-specific details include three dynamic brake intakes, high-number boards, and Nathan horn options, while GE Hi-Adhesion trucks help maintain steady handling on curves. A 5,000-gallon fuel tank adds prototype realism. Minimum radius is 18 inches (22 inches recommended).