Walthers Mainline adds HO GE ET44AC GEVO Tier 4 locomotives

Walthers Mainline has widened its modern diesel lineup with an all-new HO scale GE ET44AC GEVO Tier 4 release that lands squarely in today’s freight scene. The April 17 announcement covers Canadian National, Canadian Pacific Kansas City, and Burlington Northern Santa Fe paint schemes, plus an officially licensed America250 commemorative version tied to the nation’s 250th anniversary.

The prototype choice is what gives this run its appeal. The ET44AC first appeared in 2012 as General Electric’s answer to strict Environmental Protection Agency Tier 4 emissions standards, and the ET44AC and ET44C4 family became GE’s final production road-switcher generation before the transportation division was sold to Wabtec Freight in 2019. Walthers says the model reflects the prototype’s key spotting differences from earlier Evolution Series units, including the longer body, larger radiators, and modified exhaust and cooling arrangements that set Tier 4 power apart on the roster. For modelers building a current-era manifest, coal, grain, or intermodal lashup, that combination makes it one of the more relevant modern GE offerings on the market.

The tooling is new, and Walthers is leaning hard into operating detail. The locomotive uses six powered axles, RP-25 metal wheels, Proto MAX couplers, LED lighting, and a WalthersProto-style mechanism with a five-pole skew-wound motor, 14:1 gear ratio, helical-cut gears, dual machined brass flywheels, and a heavy die-cast chassis. Walthers also says the model will negotiate 18-inch radius curves, though 22 inches or larger is recommended, which puts it within reach of many HO layouts without sacrificing the long, contemporary look that makes the ET44AC stand out.

The release also splits cleanly between DC and sound-ready versions. Standard DC models include a 21-pin DCC decoder socket and pre-installed speaker, while the ESU sound and DCC version adds dual-mode DC and DCC operation, 14, 28, and 128 speed steps, four function outputs with CV brightness control, four air horns, two bells, full eight-notch prime mover sounds, compressor, and dynamic brake effects. Walthers lists the CPKC #1776 America250 standard DC version at $189.98 with an expected date of October 28, 2026, while the sound-and-DCC version is listed at $259.98 for Spring 2027. Retailers were given a May 31, 2026 order due date, with anticipated delivery set for May 2027, making this a pre-order-driven run that fills a real gap for late-era freight power on contemporary HO layouts.