Would someone point out the difference between a gp-7 and a gp-9. William Cowie and I would like to know. Thanks in advance George H
That's an easy one! The GP7 has [edit] two sets of vent louvers set in the vertical on the very back end of the long hood. The GP9 has only one in that location. Not much difference to me. But, that is the external difference. I am sure there are others; I expect the horsepower is different. [ March 11, 2005, 08:22 PM: Message edited by: sapacif ]
Rear hood of the GP7, from Espee modeler's home page: http://espee.railfan.net/nonindex/gp07_photos/0304r_ssw-gp7-john_rodgers.jpg Rear hood of the GP9; only one vent. http://espee.railfan.net/nonindex/gp09_photos/5719_sp-gp9-rob_sarberenyi.jpg [ December 23, 2005, 11:50 AM: Message edited by: sapacif ]
To add to Flash's comments the GP-7 was the road switcher version of the F-7 at the same horsepower, 1500, while the GP-9 was the road switcher version of the F-9 at 1750 horsepower. On the GN the GP-7 was rated at 1150 tons at 15 mph while the GP-9 was rated for 1350 at 15 mph. Both on a 1% grade. Both could be dynamic or non dynamic brake equipped, and both could be equipped with steam generators for passenger service. Passenger versions of both would usually have the airtanks roof mounted to make room for a larger split tank to carry water for the steam generator, what has been referred to as the torpedo tube version. On my road the 7s had three vents below the cab walkway while the 9 had only one. Also to add there were a few GP-9ms that were built from components from traded in FTs and were only rated at 1350 horsepower and were virtually indistinguishable from the regular GP-9s.
So, [edit] fewer vents on the GP9 below the cab and at the back of the long hood. This series is one of my favorite diesels, along with the SD7/9. ATSF had some really neat rebuilds of the covered wagons that looked a little like the GP7/9 series. I don't know if any other rr did that.
Hey, I missed the answers - thanks! Bottom line... in N scale from a few feet away any undec will do for any of the two locos, right?
