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Alerted by a previous topic that may have been taken down, I was previewing forum sponsor Stout's 2 rail auction and came across this unique model:

https://connect.invaluable.com...comotive_F4548D2BEE/

Can anyone tell me what EMD locomotive this model is representing?

  • Surely it's NOT a GP7- what the auctioneer has incorrectly labeled it.
  • IT doesn't appear to be a GP35 due to the missing 36" fan
  • Perhapse IT could be a Passenger GP38 for the Southern RR?

Inquiring minds would like to know!

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Bryan Smith posted:

Those are Nitrous Oxide bottles (N2O) on top of the long hood.
Its design was to eliminate a helper engines on small to moderate grades.
The engineer has a small button on the throttle lever for the extra boost.

<snicker>

 

 

You may be right, notice the rear (long hood) of the engine is higher than the front like drag racing cars.

P.S. is the fuel tank and water tank set up like a fuel tank and battery box on F units?

It could be a model of a GP38-2 rebuilt from a GP40, like this BNSF unit from rrpictures.com. Photo credit: Joe Ferguson. That said, it appears to be a fantasy kitbash, as no rebuilt GP40s to my knowledge have a high short hood or the water tank for steam heat. http://www.rrpicturearchives.n...cture.aspx?id=573124 

 

Edit: I found a drawing on Traniax.com of a NdeM high-hood GP38-2 with the correct fan spacing. These engines were apparently used in passenger service (per search results), so a steam generator would make sense. However, there is no indication of torpedo-boat style air tanks on the NdeM units; that appears to be a fantasy addition. Image credit: A youtube videotape

Last edited by pittsburghrailfan
Bryan Smith posted:

Those are Nitrous Oxide bottles (N2O) on top of the long hood.
Its design was to eliminate a helper engines on small to moderate grades.
The engineer has a small button on the throttle lever for the extra boost.

<snicker>

 

 

  I suppose next you're going to try to tell me a loco might have a turbo or supercharger  

 

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...

slsf700

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  • slsf700

Hi Chuck,

It is interesting you think this is a HO Model... it is currently listed as a "CLW O scale brass two rail GP-7 diesel locomotive in primer" in the eBay "Other O Scale" section. 

Here is the current eBay URL as of 11/26/18, where the Seller has now lowered his asking price to $237...  BTW, I am not affiliated with the Seller in any way.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/39217...mp;item=392179688597

I wonder if the Seller bought this at the Stout Auction and is reselling it or else if the Frankenmodel did not sell at the auction and the Seller is trying a new sales venue such as eBay...

 

 

NdeM indeed used sg equipped GP-38's in the seventies on a lot of their premier long distance passenger trains, including the Aquila Azteca (Aztec Eagle) El Regiomontano, and El Fronterizo.

Opinion, they were GREAT looking units, however (per previous comments) this "Franken-diesel" version (btw great tag) is a little off from even that proto-type with the BS roof tanks, mis-matched trucks, and semi-SP-like light package on the nose. Fix those issues though, and you might have something if you're an NdeM buff like me, otherwise avoid if you're prototype oriented.

atlpete posted:

NdeM indeed used sg equipped GP-38's in the seventies on a lot of their premier long distance passenger trains, including the Aquila Azteca (Aztec Eagle) El Regiomontano, and El Fronterizo.

Opinion, they were GREAT looking units, however (per previous comments) this "Franken-diesel" version (btw great tag) is a little off from even that proto-type with the BS roof tanks, mis-matched trucks, and semi-SP-like light package on the nose. Fix those issues though, and you might have something if you're an NdeM buff like me, otherwise avoid if you're prototype oriented.

I rode behind NdeM boiler-equipped GP38's on several trains, but none of them had the steam connected to the train.  That was just one of the endearing quirks of Mexican passenger trains.

Last edited by Number 90

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