The EMD Locomotive as displayed (and recently for sale on eBay for $300) is a "Frankenmodel" made from random parts... Let the Buyer beware because I could not find any actual model such as this!
The eBay Seller apparently is not knowledgeable & may be trying to hide if it is brass or plastic main shell. This may be why the model is painted in Primer color and does not clearly show soldering quality nor the interior, underbody, or transmission/drive that could give clues about the OEM Kit. However, the Trucks appears to be disconnected from the center Tower Transmission drive linkage unless it is possibly a Weaver Tower drive mounted on the Trucks...
There are several reasons why this is a "Frankenmodel" with a mix of attached parts... The main shell appears to be a GP38, but seems mixed with earlier EMD parts. The grey primer hides the positioning and detail of the main shell doors placement to verify it is a GP38 shell other than the 2 Rear Fans. The eBay Model's Dynamic Brakes are missing. The eBay model's Blomberg Trucks do not appear to be centered correctly and seem higher than normal on the Frame. The eBay model's Trucks do not appear to be original because I own an original CLW GP38 and my model's high-adhesion Blomberg Brass Trucks are a different type than the earlier model Blomberg Trucks shown on the eBay model.
The main shell "bottle" air reservoirs on the eBay model's rooftop were used in the 1950s and early 1960s on GP-35 and GP-7/9 Diesels for passenger service (see DSG II). I could not find ANY GP38s with bottle air reservoirs in Extra 2200 South nor any Internet pics. The Southern RR and Norfolk & Western did buy High-Nose GP-38s and change some GP38s from low-nose to high-nose, but none that I am aware was configured with a steam generator on the High-Nose rooftop.
My best guess is this was a modified model build not yet completed, (the Dynamic Brakes need to be attached/soldered) but if the parts are really Brass and pics of the underside are made available & clearly viewed, then it may be a Central Locomotive Works GP38 with a mismatched GP-7/9 High-Nose and mismatched earlier model Blomberg Trucks. Although the original CLW GP-38 Kit sold for over $500 retail around 2001, this eBay model is missing parts that have been replaced/substituted & not worth anywhere near the $300 the Seller is now asking...
