As with our SD70, the GP7/GP9 locomotives have a new chassis and PCB. Some of the injection parts are retooled for better detail. We can finally also offer the Torpedo Tube versions and I think the Southern Pacific GP9 is worth the wait! Hint, SP used the GP9 Torpedo Tubes for passenger service as well including heavyweights! We have 8 GP7/GP9 releases coming up. In addition to SP look for WP, MP, Burlington, NYC, ATSF, D&RGW and Milwaukee later this year. Milwaukee and NYC will be offered in two different versions. Sincerely, Hans Riddervold (AZL)
GP7 and GP9 options The AZL GP release in incredible versatile. First the obvious differences between the GP7 and GP9. For all practical purposes the amount of louvers on maintenance doors and battery boxes are the only real visual difference. (In real life it came down to HP, 1500HP vs. 1750HP) AZL options: Airhorns: AZL offers several different and also the correct airhorn locations Dynamic Brake: Our versions offer non Dynamic Brake options and Dynamic Brake options Roof Fans: Both 48´fans and 26´fans available Fuel Tank: Standard and Long Range. Long Range automatically gets the Torpedo Tubes (Roof mounted Air Reservoirs) Side Skirts: Think we have 4 different versions
Here is the announcement for the first GP9 release! April 2014 New Release – Part 2 NEW to the AZL line – EMD GP9s! AZL is excited to release the GP9s. These supplement AZL’s popular EMD GP7s. The first release is a must for SP fans! These are bloody nose GP9s with long range tanks! Four road numbers are available. Note, each locomotive comes with optional pilots. EMD GP9: 62006-1 SP GP9 3004 Bloody Nose - MSRP $169.00 62006-2 SP GP9 3005 Bloody Nose - MSRP $169.00 62006-3 SP GP9 3006 Bloody Nose - MSRP $169.00 62006-4 SP GP9 3007 Bloody Nose - MSRP $169.00 The EMD GP9s feature: Directional controlled LED lighting Traction tires Prototype specific details Brass handrails and side panels Add on parts Optional add-on pilot (located under the plastic insert) Dual flywheels Maintenance free can motor AZL AutoLatch couplers Can be upgrades to DCC with Digritax's DZ123Z0 decoder (no wiring or soldering required) Standing orders have been shipped to dealers. Visit the AZL website for more information on this, and other releases. http://www.americanzline.com Look for another new items announcement next week! Rob Kluz Ztrack Distribution
These are very nice models that you guys are making! The chassis seems to be all new compared to the first generation GP7. Its hard to find any common parts between the two chassis. Even the traction tires are different. The old chassis had one axle with two tires(once for each side). On the new design, each truck has one wheel with a traction tire, and between the two trucks there is a tire on each side of the locomotive. The new one seems to run just as excellent as the old one. Old (Top) and New (Bottom) Chassis The truck mounted couplers are also a new design, and are part of the truck frame, unlike the old design were it was a snap in part. For those who want to use the included pilot mounted dummy coupler, the truck mounted coupler has to be cut away for clearance, and there is no going back, unlike the old design. Old (Top) and New (Bottom) Chassis I think there is a minor decoration error with the SP units. On the front pilot, it says “SSW 3007”, however, according to my limited internet sources, #s 3003-3009 were never owned by Cotton Belt. Only 3001, 3002, and 3010 were ex SSW units. Also, SP usually didn't paint unit numbers on the pilot. If anything they would put "Safety First" or "Watch Your Step" emblems.
Should have mentioned need CP 8491. http://trainweb.org/galt-stn/cproster/locomotive/8400s/cp8491.htm
Curn, Nice review. Makes me want the WP units even more. Going through a couple of my pictures books this morning, there are examples of SP printing both the roads numbers and "Sothern Pacific Lines" on the pilots on other GPs . So it seems plausible for these. I also recall that SSW had only three of the GPs. But I also seem to recall that SP painted more SSW locos than actually delivered to the line. Of course I can't find that reference when I want it: too much reading and not enough note taking. So I think units through 3010 were painted for SSW. If some knows the story I'd love to hear it. Mark
Just got mine. Have to agree with Curn really nice model. As far as running goes I am very pleased. It has wonderful slow speed and will get to a good pace at full speed not marklin speed but way better then some of the old SD70 . I've only just started the break in so I feel it will get even better. Once I'm done with all 4 I'll get you an update on speed matching between them all.
I feel it is somewhat unfair to compare my well broken in first gen GP7s to my new GP9 with less than 30 min of total use. My old GP7s are by far the best engines I own in any scale. Better than anything Kato makes. They have great power pick up, they crawl at low speed, smooth throttle response, and are absolutely quiet. As far as I can tell, the new ones have great power pickup, can crawl at low speed, smooth throttle response, but mine is not whisper quiet. Mine makes noise, and is about as loud as an MTL GP diesel out of the box. We’ll see if this noise goes away with time. The noise has reduced in the 30 minutes that it has been run so far. The new chassis is held together with clips rather than screws, and so some metal was removed for the clips, and some was put back in by filling in the screw holes. I weighed the chassis without the shell. The old one weighed in at 78.29 grams and the new one was 77.93 grams, a 0.36 gram difference (0.46%). It’s a bit lighter, but not enough to be concerned about. I will check to see if it can still climb a 30% grade like the first gen was able to. I too am looking forward to the WP release. Nothing about this one GP9 is making me reconsider getting all 4 WP road numbers.
SSW - SP There is a history behind this small hiccup. First, the SP GP9 3004 - 3007 did not have the small SSW print on the pilots. What happened? Well, I was not aware that SP had any Torpedo Tubes and had selected other GP9s for this release and the artwork was finished. When I found out that SP had indeed 4 GP9 Torpedo Tubes, I quickly changed road numbers and forgot to remove the SSW decal. I think we will revisit these locomotives later in their original Black Widow paint scheme (road numbers 5623-5626 or 5622-5625).
Is there any chance that the Torpedo Tube air reservoirs will be available as a replacement part? I want to add some on some of my GP7's.
These look so good. Slightly fades color, not glossy and TUBES! And FINALY orange on silver WP shortly? I had to change out my train box tray !!!
Was reading on another thread about the SD70's and how they used a grease from the factory. Opened up one of my GP9 and sure enough same grease. I sent the parts to the ultrasonic cleaner removed grease and switched to Labelle 108. out of the 4 SP GP9's this one was the slowest after switching grease for oil it is now the fastest. can't wait to do the other 3. Something odd though they only put a washer on the inboard bushing. wondering if anyone else has them and mine are just not there?
