I need an Athearn Pennsy GP7 with Tsunami sound. No one seems to have them anymore, not even “Trainworld”. However, the Athearn Pennsy GP 9’s with Tsunami sounds, are plentiful, right now. If I bought the GP9, could I consider it a GP7? I mean, other than their difference in horsepower, would there be that much of a noticible difference in looks between the 2 engines? Thanks! -artguy
Artguy,
I have two Proto 2K GP7’s,DC only though,aside from horsepower,maybe some subtle difference,dynamic brakes and such. Seven’s were built from,1949 to 1954,that is when the nines came out. So unless,there is a rivet counter around,why not use it?
Cheers, [D]
Frank
Gidday Artguy, a belated [#welcome] to the forum.
Here’s some links that may help…
http://cs.trains.com/mrr/f/13/t/130213.aspx
http://cs.trains.com/ctt/f/95/t/92249.aspx
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NVXq-TeI0ss
Cheers, the Bear.
Unless you are picky, perhaps it won’t matter?
I once had such confusion over a 1;1 loco.
Let see now, at Steamtown National Historic Park in Scranton PA, they have a fine diesel, to run when the steam is not up to steam.
I could not tell what it was. {ut I am also not a diesel genious}. SO, I asked one of the park rangers WHAT that loco was. He said it was “a GP9”. I said I couldn’t tell if it was a 7 or a 9, he said “well it doesn’t have dynamic brakes, so that makes it definitely look like a 7”.
{or was it the other way around?}
[8-|]
I worked on both while with Conrail…we did have a few originals of each into the late 80’s. Engine #'s and a few internal differences aside. I didn’t know one from the other.
Most likely only you will know the difference, based on what you purchase.
Mark H
Here is a link to a video that shows the external differences between a GP7 and a GP9. The differences are mainly the number of louvered vents and the roof top fans.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NVXq-TeI0ss
Most people seems to think that the differences are negligible.
At one time, I had a pair of GP7s and a pair of GP9s in the C&NW colors. I sold the GP7s but I have photos that I could post if you are interested. I still have the GP9s, so I could take photos so you can compare the two different locos side by side. Let me know.
Rich
The only Geeps that could pass for each other is the phase 3 GP9 and the GP18.
The GP7 and GP9 was different in several areas and can not pass for each other.
If you are standing on the ground the differences aren’t that much. If you are above the engines looking down the differences can be significant. The PRR’s GP7’s had 4 small 36" fans while their GP9s had 2 larger 48" radiator fans. When originally ordered the GP7’s had no dynamic brakes (they were retro fitted). All the GP9’s came with DB.
You could buy a GP9, replace the roof radiator hatches and fans and make a GP7.
That whole “no dynamics, it’s a GP7, dynamics, it’s a GP9” thing started way back when with Athearn and the hobby press going right along. Their model’s basic shell was one or the other, but they called the one with dynamics a GP9.
The primary difference from the side are the battery box door louvers.
For the PRR model in question, PRR had both, so you don’t have to call the GP9 a GP7, it is a GP9, and having a PRR paint job isn’t a fantasy and the number should be correct for a PRR GP9.
–Randy
Actually Dave PRR GP9s had 4 36" fans-
http://www.rr-fallenflags.org/prr/prr7117s.jpg
http://www.rr-fallenflags.org/prr/prr7059dsa.jpg
PRR’s phase 3 GP9s had the two 48" fans.
Actually, it goes back a couple of years further than that, to Lionel in the mid-1950s. They called their GP7 without dynamic brakes a “GP7”, and called their GP7 with a snap-on dynamic brake blister and winterization hatch a “GP9”.
Given Athearn’s later, brief, involvement with Lionel’s HO line, it’s not too surprising that this misnomer carried over.
When all is said and done, I have the feeling that the OP will find that is does not matter all that much.
Plus, the fact that the GP9 is available and the GP7 is not, the choice for him seems obvious.
Rich
MEC had GP-7s that had dynamic brakes and some that did not. The non dynamic ones had steam generators in the short hoods so they could be used in passenger service. The dynamic ones were considered freight locos.
Rich,P2K and Atlas PRR GP7s show up on e-Bay all the time so,a honest to goodness PRR GP7 can be had.
Artguy,
Just getting back to my original post, last sentence:
So unless, there is a rivet counter around, why not use it?
Cheers, [D]
Frank
Yeah, but don’t forget, the OP is looking for an Athearn Pennsy GP7 with Tsunami sound.
Rich
There’s two Genesis DCC/Sound PRR GP7s on e-bay as we speak…Prices isn’t too bad considering.
Larry, you wore me down. [(-D]
Indeed, there are two on eBay.
Rich
ditto …you will only tell when removeing from box [;)]
JW
Sounds like the OP has gotten plenty of advice. Given all the modifications to Geeps over the years, there is still one good way to tell a 7 from a 9 unless the entire long hood has been replaced.
The 7 has a riveted band before and after the engine compartment (right under where the exhaust housing and dynamic brake housing would be). This strip starts at the walkway and goes up one side of the engine, across the top, and down the other side. This strip does not appear on any of the later GP series engines.
Given that he wants Brunswick green locomotives, the strip would be almost invisible. On lighter-color engines, it’s easy to see. Whether it appears on any specific manufacturer’s model is a question – P2K got it right. Haven’t seen an Athearn Genesis GP7.