How old are these locos?

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

I was recently given these 2 Lionel HO Scale locomotives. I’ve been trying to find information on the web regarding when they were produced and I’ve not found anything. I’d appreciate any help you could provide.

Loco #1: Santa Fe Alco 5-5600

Loco #2: Grand Trunk GP9 5-5511

Don Z.

2

I don’t know but i really like the Blue and Silver SF.

I think that was their freight paint scheme

3

Try this website…http://www.lionelho.com/index.html.

There is a section there that shows times where the various boxes were used (assuming that you still have the boxes). If that doesn’t help, maybe you can send the man an e-mail.

4

I purchased the Lionel Grand Trunk GP9 for my son and the layout I made for him. It would have been late 1970’s or about 1980. Last I recall, the thing had some plastic motor mounts that broke, and I beleive that was a design flaw.

5

Maxman,

Thanks for the link. These locos must have been made post-1967, as none of the boxes on the website match what I have. The website stops at 1967, so I still don’t know when they were made.

Thanks,

Don Z.

6

Garry,

Do you recall if the box looked like this?

Don Z.

7

around the mid -late 80’s they made a camera loco set, bout the first literal onboard camera commercially available, I have that, uses the FA unit, one powered for power and a dummy for the camera. I dont remember the exact year, I would place those late 80’s, early 90’s

8

I don’t think the box lasted long at all, and I have trouble remembering it. I am thinking the motor was made by GE, and as I said, it had plastic clips to mount the motor, and the clips broke. The shell and railings looked very much like those made by Athearn.

9

I have some rolling stock from the same time period - 25 to 30 years ago - thay makes it 1978 - give or take a couple of years. I sold the locos I had - they were pure [#dots][}:)], but you wouldn’t believe what Ething will bring from Lionel collectors![%-)] They must be nuts as a group - not just eccentric as another thread has us “scale guys”!

10

Lou,

Thanks for the information. I figured they had to be at least 15 years old or so…

Don Z.

11

Don,

In 1973, Fundimensions tried to bring back the Lionel HO line, long dormant from the 50’s/early 60’s. One of the first locomotives they brought out was the GP9. The Fundimensions HO line of Lionel Trains failed in 1978 and one of the last production units was an Alco FA, probably introduced in 1975 or 1976. The Alco FA was also used, I beleive, in Fundimension’s final attempt at HO and also in a later attempt by General Mills as a locomotive with a video camera in the cab.

12

Indeed they are from the 70s.

http://hoseeker.net/lionelhoinformation/lionelho1975infopage05.jpg

http://hoseeker.net/lionelhoinformation/lionelho1974infopage03.jpg

13

Brakie,

Thank you very much for the great link!!! [bow]

Don Z.

14

Yes because the shell is from Athearn thats why it looks like Athearn.