Athearn offered up a sneak peak on their Facebook page about an all new HO GP-7/9:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=208261&id=320327140040&ref=mf
If they really mean this – all phases, all variations – this could be huge – think of it: just about every railroad, just about every era, 1950 to 1980s and even 90s, had these engines.
Dave Nelson
Some still are in use, eg. CN/GTW has one in Grand Trunk livery that is a yard switcher at the Tappan Yard here in Port Huron, Mi. It was shopped back in the early 90’s and has been repowered (no turbo), dynamic brakes removed, and a wide cab with a low nose installed to accomodate a no caboose crew. I don’t think it’s the only one left on the roster. If the new Athearn comes with a low nose, hoo boy![;)]
Even a CNJ version, with the bulge on the end for train lighting equipment?
Oh great, gotta start saving even more change! [:D]
Ricky
Maybe even the 4 step stairs that many geeps had?
Maybe even split windshield chop noses?
This is great news. Athearn has definetly raised the bar on this one. As stated above my wallet is going to be lighter. Regarding brass versus plastic this just re-enforces my opinion that with diesels the plastic ones are as good or better than the brass. With steam I still have to give brass the edge but plastic is coming on strong. I have yet to see a brass F-unit that matches the latest Athearn Genesis models.
I can live with my p2k gp’s but low nose and perhaps NP gp’s will convince me otherwise
I wonder if they’ll do the various chop-nose rebuilt GPs too? The most notable of the rebuilt GP7/9s are the ATSF Topeka cab rebuilds and the IC GP8/10/11s, some of which are still on shortlines into the 2000s and even in 2010.
Oh, I am so there with you on that one. I sure hope that they come out with MRL. That will save me a lot of time. And to think I almost purchased some P2K units on Ebay. Here to waiting and seeing.
This looks great! [tup]
I hope PRR and B&O units will be well represented!
There are 20 or so of these GP9Rs still working for CN, mainly as yard goats or on locals. I see them often here in the Detroit area. Some are still in GTW colors, and some have been repainted to CN - though they are still sub-lettered for GTW.
Can GP-18s and GP-20s be far behind? I can see Athearn running with this model for years with a new version every month.
It’d save me a lot of time too!
I suppose Athearn could eventually get around to GP18/20s since they used the same basic carbody and frame as the GP7/9s, though only several hundred GP18/20s were built compared to thousands of their predecessors. The GP18/20s also had external differences such as the shape of the radiators and larger 48" fans in place of the 36", though late phase GP9s had many of these spotting features too. The GP20s were the first factory-built GPs with a turbocharged 567. ATSF, CB&Q, GN, SP and NYC were Class 1s with the most GP20s, and I don’t think Athearn would have any difficultly in finding enough road names if they decided to market a GP20 too.