Disclaimer: This is just for the sake of all of the flak the first GP-35 release created: What? No Pennsy? Why are you starting out with a West Coast road. Everything you guys do is west coast. But, you can be certain that I will not be buying the SP for the sake of strippig that beautiful paint job and painting it Pennsy green. Maybe AZL's production run of GP7's will come out soon. Just kidding, Joe. I'm more patient than that. Besides, I can see myself with a whole fleet of Pennsy Locomotive Green GP9s and 7s. It's nice to see an NH coming. Keep up the good work, guys. Dan S.
Brooklyn Locomotive Works finally has listed a price for these: $149.98. This is the first i've seen posted. at least it gives us a ball park of the retail -discount cost these units will go for. dave f.
While I was waiting for the kids to fall asleep tonight, I was looking at the 2006 Shortlines of North America Locomotive Roster book by James W. Kerr. This volume excludes the six biggest class 1's (KCS is a class 1 but is included in the shortline volume). The kids take a long time to fall asleep so I counted up how many GP9's (including rebuilds and GP10 and GP11 rebuilds). As of 2006, there are still 703 GP9's (and variants) rostered on shortlines in North America. There may still be a few rebuilds left at the other 6 Class 1's as well. By the way, there are still 210 GP7's (including rebuilds and GP8 rebuilds). And David, they still list 91 CF7's. 56 - SW1's, 182 - GP35's (and rebuilds) and 70 - GP30's (and rebuilds). Again, these are just shortlines so does not include any industrials or grain elevators (don't interchange locos onto other roads) or class 1's (other than KCS). Just goes to show that the GP9 is actually still in more use in modern times than GP35's. ;-) Randy
Randy, Randy, Randy. You know what stats are for. Your list shows only 182 GP35, but BNSF has a large fleet of GP35 or GP39M. Even though I dont have the exact numbers, I am pretty sure there are more GP 35 or look alikes in class I railroad then GP9s or GP7s. I wasnt going to get one, but after giving it a hard long thought, I desided to get one. FEC does interchange with CSX. Yes, FEC will be sending the juice train to CSX.
That's the reason why I already wrote in this forum that in my opinion, an undec sample of the GP7/9s should be far more successful than the poorly successful undec GP35. Dom, waiting for an undec GP9...
Naked GP9 Dom, I hope your right, cause if it doesn't then that's Strike Two!! ) We consider Undec's a stock item when released so there isn't the same pressure to move them like the Decorated version. Keep your toes crossed!! Joe
John, I said I hadn't counted up the Class1's, YET. I will get to that, but have to go to a different source. ;-) Did you see that FEC got bought? Randy
I doubt it. CN and CP, for example, have lots of rebuilt GP9s, and I don't think they have any GP35s except a few de-engined CP cab cars.
GP35s had an inherint electrical problem, according what i've read about Rio Grande experiences. the Grande quickly demoted their 35s to B units and the older GP30s were consistently used more by crews to lead consists, even with the 35s on board. GP35 was still good choice anyway for MTL's first "modern" transition loco, as they had the look of the modern cabs, but still reached pretty far back toward the transition eras. GP 40s quickly succeeded them and these and the 30s that preceeded the 35s were the preferred locos on the Rio Grande. dave f.
yes, you are right, other prices are lower. THEREFORE, i want to apologize for something: i had been anxious to get a price benchmark for these GP9s, and ordering info ANY where on the web! when i saw BLWs price i referenced it, as the first i had seen. i SHOULD simply have indicated that ONE advertized price was $149.98. it was the ball park i was looking for. i did not intend to start something with competing suppliers, all of whom we appreciate and realize people have their favorites. it's good to know how some prices vary, but i hope i didn't put people over a barrel on this topic or strain relations with our valuable retailers. i just needed to say that. thanks. dave f.
I'll go also for the Milwaukees because I've the SD45 and the Freudenreich PS-2 Grainers in this paint scheme ans soon some Rob Ray Centerbeams.
OK John, here you go, numbers including class 1's. GP35 and GP30 (counted together for a total because my source didn't split out the CSX road slugs by type: 769 total. GP9 (including GP10 and GP11 rebuilds): 1208 ! There are another 294 - GP7s and GP8s, 128 - GP16 and GP18, and 118 - GP20 (the first generation GPs look almost the same except some have the low short hoods). I believe the GP38 and GP40 would be considered 3rd generation Geeps and i haven't totalled those up yet. I found some interesting numbers, like there are still 106 SD9's in operation and almost half of those are on Class 1's, even for an old loco like that. Randy