I am hoping that someone with this loco could answer a question or two? I'm looking for equipment that is fairly prototypical. As I understand it, these units from the factory are AF compatible. How are they for converting couplers to Kadee or other more scale appearing? Is there still a big hole to fill in the pilot? How are the wheels and flanges? Boxcab E50
I am not sure about these questions regarding the AM GP 9's. I recently bought an S Helper Showcase SW9. Out of the box it is AF ready, but it came with scale wheels which I will switch to the next time I have a couple of hours. It also comes with pre-drilled holes to mount Kaydee couplers, which I intend to do when I have it apart to change wheels. It is also equipped with an NMRA DCC decode plug. I will let you know how much trouble I have making these changes. You might check with AM and find out how hard it is to change their locos to scale. According to their website, you can e-mail them at info@americanmodels.com I like some of their cars and will eventually look into that as well.
Well, let’s start with the AM GP-9 as a whole. It was made for scale modelers. It is fairly easy to mount the Kadee HO #5’s. They have a small pilot opening, just like the prototype. The hood is a scale width and as a whole, looks good. The trucks are or was a basic one piece casting with the brake cylinders a separate item. My only complaint with the AM GP and that goes for most of their early units after the FP-7 was the motor. Actually the motor was fine; the problem was the drive shaft from the motor to the trucks is a spring. One solution, that I’ve heard works well is to substitute Athearn drive shafts. Evidently, it isn’t too hard to do. They may have gone back to solid drive shafts now though. As for wheels, be sure you order a scale DC version. I have three of those GP-9’s and like them very much. I’ve run them and even with the spring drive, they do well. They are DC scale units. When these units were made, AM stated they were trying to be the Athearn of S. You will have to add your own grab irons and such. The paint used to be average, but may have been improved over the years. I bought three undecorated units to paint into WP so I’m not sure about the ready painted units. As an aside, I have three of AM’s GP-35’s, one painted in UP and two undec. The UP unit is ok for decoration quality. They too, will need add on grab irons and such. Again, good basic GP-35’s, not perfect or correct for all roads, but still good looking units and good runners. Now for current units, I have two SD-60’s and they have an improved quality of paint. If they are an indication of AM’s current quality, they have made an improvement. Last but not least, the GP-9’s, GP-35’s and FP-7 all run good together. How they mix with SHS units, I don’t know. I have four powered SHS F units and no place to run them. That is about to change though. For what I want to model, S scale has the power and probably 70% of the cars I’d like to run. I hope this long winded answer helps. Greg
Hi there Windy! Yes. It helps. My thinking was that any purchase would be of a DC powered unit. So am happy that is indeed best. Do you by chance know Phase of the GP35 offered? I can't quite see close enough in photos found to date. Boxcab E50
Hi Ken, Windy here. I was reading my SHS manual for my F-7's. It looks straight forward enough. First you unscrew the AF style coupler and bracket and then use a screw driver to pop off the gear cover. Remove the AF wheels and replace with the code 110 wheel sets. Bend the wipers out ward a bit to rub against the new thinner wheels and replace the cover, popping it back on. One thing about the SHS product is they have nice instructions and good customer support. Greg
>Do you by chance know Phase of the GP35 offered? I can't quite see close enough in photos found to date. Ken, I will have to dig up my GP-35’s and look. I’ll go one better and shoot some close ups of my UP model. My undecs are black and hard to see, kind of like a fresh Penn Central unit. My philosophy is to run a good looking model. I’m not out to win contests with ready to run AM models, but I am ready to run a railroad and switch cars. I guess I’m impatient, I like running and switching too much. I can count rivets with the best of them, because I look at them day in and day out. But the thing is, I like watching and running more. This is a fun hobby! Cheers, Greg
I'd be interested in a nice full side on view. Don't want to get into a lot of modifications. Or adding many details. Perhaps none. Just want to see how close it is to what I knew for the RR specifically in mind. Otherwise, like you, I want to spend my time operating the empire..... When that time comes. Boxcab E50
Hi Greg- Just wondering if you've run across one of your GP35's yet? Another question on the AM GP9- Does it have only the four 36" fans? Or is there an option/way to do a later phase with the two 48" fans? Boxcab E50
I haven't stumbled across my GP-35 yet. I have a couple of boxes that may contain them. As for the GP-9's, they have the choice of the 36" or 48" fans for the roof. Also, they have the two different radiator grills so you can make a GP-18 out of them. There was talk of a kit to make a high hood GP-20, but it hasn't been produced yet. There is a kit ot make a GP-9B or a low nose GP-9 and they make very nice models. I know the GP-9's are boxed with the GP-35's so when I find them, I'll shoot both. Maybe this weekend. Greg
