I purchased what I thought was an Athearn GP-9 dummy in SP Black Widow scheme. The unit is actually a GP-7. The number of the unit is (SP) 5641. Did such a prototype unit exist? Was the prototype a GP-7 or a GP-9? According to "The Official Locomotive Roster Standard Reference" 1990 edition, the SP owned 197 GP-9's and no GP-7's. The units were in the 2870-2899 & 3301-3883 number groups. On Athearn's web site they list a kit #3062 as a GP-7 dummy - Black Widow @$20.75. Bud
Posted by jameskrapf (Member # 201) on :
Athearn is bad for that kind of thing. I like Athearn but I use it as a basic model and repaint/decal to have the correct road number. For the CNJ/LV I must do this as not too many models are available.
------------------ Jim Krapf (thetrainman00@aol.com)
Posted by SD7 (Member # 157) on :
Hello Bud, SP did not own any GP7's, but did own quite a few GP9's. SP 5641 (according to Peter Limas' SP Rails) was built 02/56, was rebuilt 04/75 and renumbered 3474, then to 3416 and was retired 1993 and was sold to GWR as 3416. About the time when the units were rebuilt, they were repainted from Black Widow to grey and red. The locomotive that Athearn made is actually closer to a GP7 than a GP9. There are very little changes between the two that are noticable. You are also looking at Athearn's price, which is a list price. For the cheapest price, I would suggest a mail-ordering supply company. Hope that helps, regards, Jack. locomotiveSD7@hotmail.com
Posted by virtual-bird (Member # 37) on :
------------------ RR: K, C, & Bird Butt Railroad - SP, NS, and ROCK admirer. Its a coal mining region of a place far far away, that shares with SP, NS, and some CSX.. Also some Custom RARE Bird RR sd40-2's coming! Era:
Time stands still round these parts, and we have everything from Steam, to Diesels of today.