Need Info on Smaller GP-7 Diesel Fuel Tank

Model Railroader Prototype information for the modeler
1

Are there any GP-7’s around in a museum or on a shortline that still have this small fuel tank variation?

http://www.rr-fallenflags.org/wab/wab450ads.jpg

Or, has anyone seen any drawings?

I am modeling an HO Wabash GP-7 and will need to machine down the fuel tank on an Atlas unit. Also, one of the things I don’t know is if the fuel tank looks the same on the other side. Yes, I could find another make without a cast in fuel tank but I like the Atlas units. They also got the Wabash blue correct in my opinion.

Thanks in advance.

2

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3

That is the 800 gallon EMD ‘basic’ fuel tank for GP7 locomotives.

Jim

4

Thanks Jim. Another source says it’s a 600 gallon tank. In any event, have you seen anyone model the smaller tank?

5

There were small 600 gallon tanks on EMD switch engines. Road engines have the 800 gallon tank or larger, Modeling that 800 gallon tank will depend on the underframe of the model you start with. A lot of GP models have the motor depressed into the frame and a ‘cast’ fuel tank(usually the 1600 gallon version).

I do not have an Atlas GP7 handy, so I an not sure if there is a plastic tank or a large cast metal one on that model. I have not even seen good pictures of the prototype as it is dark/unlit/dirty that far under the locomotive!

Jim

6

Thanks again Jim. The Altas GP-7 has the tank, skirt and frame cast as one piece and the car body is a plastic shell on top of the cast chasis. I know a couple of folks that have mills that would mill the tank for me. I would have to make a new fuel tank skirt, but that is no big deal. Like I said before, there are probably other GP-7’s out there (Proto 2000?) that would have the fuel tank in plastic, but I prefer to work with the Atlas model for its superior drive. To be sure, I will be removing some weight but might add it back inside the car body.

I don’t know of anyone that makes a regular GP-7 fuel tank but Hi-tech Details makes a 1500 gallon one for one for F units. If the profile is the same, I might be able mill down both sides of the Atlas fuel tank and then glue two parts of the plastic F unit fuel tanks after reducing their widths.

Reportedly one of the back issues of the late, great Mainline Modeler had an article with the author modifiying his GP fuel tank. Perhaps he would have provided some dimensions or photos? I have looked in the magazine index and have perhaps narrowed it down to the 10/82, 1/83, 3/84, 12/94, 5/97 Mainline Modeler back issues…perhaps. If anyone has these issues and can look for me, I would appreciate it.

7

Of the issues on your list, May '97 is the only one which I have. The article there is on using an Atlas GP7 to model a specific UP loco with a full-width fuel tank. Sorry.

Wayne