1949 GP7 Diesel Locomotives

Ext. Reference:

Model Info

Gauge:

AF

Introduced:

1959

Road Number:

234

Product Type:

Metal

Finish:

painted & lettered

Wheels:

hi-rail

Couplers:

AF

Online Article:

Supplemental Part:

Supplemental Part:

Supplemental Part:

Supplemental Part:

How to Convert to Knuckle Couplers

Notes:

The #(21)234 GP7 was produced from 1959 through 1961, and it includes two variations. The first variation produced in 1959 and 1960, as shown in the photo, has long steps. The second variation produced in 1961 has short steps. The reason for the short steps is that when Gilbert went to the new Pike-Master systems, the radius of the track was such that the steps had to be shortened to allow to the GP7 to negotiate the curves of the new Pike-Master track. Both variations have a bell located inside the chassis with a clapper that is attached to the axle so the bell rings as the locomotive moves.

This shows both the pre-production model in the foreground and the production model with the yellow chassis in the back. Because of this feature, this locomotive has the nickname the 'Bell Ringer'.

Model Manufacturer Info

Manufacturer:

A.C. Gilbert

Manufacturer ID:

370

Prototype Info

Category:

GP7

Year/Era:

1949

Manufacturer:

Electro-Motive Division (EMD)

Road Name:

fantasy: American Flyer

Model Info

Gauge:

AF

Introduced:

1950

Road Number:

370

Product Type:

Metal

Finish:

painted & lettered

Wheels:

hi-rail

Couplers:

AF

Online Article:

Online Article:

Online Article:

Supplemental Part:

Supplemental Part:

Supplemental Part:

Supplemental Part:

This photo is not of the complete 370, but it shows a Gilbert prototype using that model's chassis, without the typical weight and the conventional old style reversing unit. This was done to make room for the brass bell assembly. In place of the typical reversing unit the factory designers/inventors installed a slide switch for manual reversing of the loco. Eventually this bell ringer mechanism was available in the 1959 (21)234 C&O Bell Ringer Locomotive that was part of the 1959 Defender Set.

Review and Running on a Layout

Rebuild description and test run of this engine (part 1 of 2).

Rebuild description and test run of this engine (part 2 of 2).

Disassembly.

Planning a rebuild.

Motor disassembly.

Running Light on a Layout

Model Manufacturer Info

Manufacturer:

A.C. Gilbert

Manufacturer ID:

371

Prototype Info

Category:

GP7

Year/Era:

1949

Manufacturer:

Electro-Motive Division (EMD)

Road Name:

fantasy: American Flyer

Model Info

Gauge:

AF

Introduced:

1954

Road Number:

371

Product Type:

(unknown)

Finish:

painted & lettered

Wheels:

hi-rail

Couplers:

AF

Online Article:

Online Article:

Supplemental Part:

Supplemental Part:

Supplemental Part:

Supplemental Part:

Demonstrating the Model

Pulling a Long Tank Train

Model Manufacturer Info

Manufacturer:

A.C. Gilbert

Manufacturer ID:

375

Prototype Info

Category:

GP7

Year/Era:

1949

Manufacturer:

Electro-Motive Division (EMD)

Road Name:

fantasy: American Flyer

Model Info

Gauge:

AF

Introduced:

1953

Road Number:

375

Product Type:

Metal

Finish:

painted & lettered

Wheels:

hi-rail

Couplers:

AF

Online Article:

Online Article:

Supplemental Part:

Supplemental Part:

Supplemental Part:

Supplemental Part:

Notes:

This is the first KC-produced GP engine, and it's rather rare. It came with a horn. Reproductions of it are rampant; the date stamp in the shell is about the only way to authenticate one.

Running the model on his layout.

Model Manufacturer Info

Manufacturer:

A.C. Gilbert

Manufacturer ID:

377

Prototype Info

Category:

GP7

Year/Era:

1949

Manufacturer:

Electro-Motive Division (EMD)

Road Name:

fantasy: American Flyer

Model Info

Gauge:

AF

Introduced:

1956

Road Number:

377, 378

Product Type:

(unknown)

Finish:

painted & lettered

Wheels:

hi-rail

Couplers:

AF

Online Article:

Online Article:

Supplemental Part:

Supplemental Part:

Supplemental Part:

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Notes:

#377 and #378 had the same paint scheme as #375. A single motor in one unit, and horn and roar sound in the other unit.

Model Manufacturer Info

Manufacturer:

A.C. Gilbert

Manufacturer ID:

374/375

Prototype Info

Category:

GP7

Year/Era:

1949

Manufacturer:

Electro-Motive Division (EMD)

Road Name:

fantasy: American Flyer Lines

Model Info

Gauge:

AF

Introduced:

1953

Road Number:

374, 375

Product Type:

Metal

Finish:

painted & lettered

Wheels:

hi-rail

Couplers:

AF

Online Article:

Online Article:

Supplemental Part:

Supplemental Part:

Supplemental Part:

Supplemental Part:

Notes:

GP in T & P orange & black livery, dual units with one being powered (single motor) and horn, other being the dummy, one numbered 374, the other 375. The factory seemed confused and put the powered chassis in either numbered shell.

The photo shows two #375 models. The pair usually came as #374 and #375 where one was powered and the other not, but the shells could easily be reversed. This photo also shows the different styles of lettering fonts used. The dummy #375 sits on a #377 chassis (watch out for that when you buy these models).

Model Manufacturer Info

Manufacturer:

A.C. Gilbert

Manufacturer ID:

372

Prototype Info

Category:

GP7

Year/Era:

1949

Manufacturer:

Electro-Motive Division (EMD)

Dimensions:

55'11"

Road Name:

Union Pacific (UP)

Ext. Reference:

Ext. Reference:

Model Info

Gauge:

AF

Introduced:

1955

Road Number:

372

Product Type:

Metal

Finish:

painted & lettered

Wheels:

hi-rail

Couplers:

AF

Online Article:

Parts List Diagram

Online Article:

Online Article:

Supplemental Part:

Supplemental Part:

Supplemental Part:

Supplemental Part:

Running the engine on a home layout.

Close-up view of the model.

Neil Ferris demonstrating this model operating.

A test run on a set of rollers.

Repairing One of These

Doing a Refresh on the Model

Get a Model Running Again

Model Manufacturer Info

Manufacturer:

American Hi-Rail

Prototype Info

Category:

GP7

Year/Era:

1949

Manufacturer:

Electro-Motive Division (EMD)

Dimensions:

55'11"

Ext. Reference:

Ext. Reference:

Model Info

Gauge:

S

Introduced:

1993

Product Type:

Resin Kit

Finish:

unpainted

Power:

No Chassis

Supplemental Part:

Supplemental Part:

Supplemental Part:

Supplemental Part:

Model Manufacturer Info

Manufacturer:

American Models

Prototype Info

Category:

GP7

Year/Era:

1949

Manufacturer:

Electro-Motive Division (EMD)

Dimensions:

55'11"

Road Name:

Pennsylvania Railroad (PRR)

Ext. Reference:

Ext. Reference:

Converting the GP9 to a GP7 from the former S Scale SIG

Model Info

Gauge:

S

Road Number:

8551

Product Type:

Plastic

Finish:

painted & lettered

Couplers:

AF or scale

Online Article:

Online Article:

Supplemental Part:

Supplemental Part:

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Notes:

This is a GP7 that Bob built from the American Models GP9 engine. He replaced the hoods with parts available from Des Plaines Hobbies, and added many details, including many PRR-specific details. For more information about how he built this model, see the online article link. We have included it here in this listing, because this model could be built from commercially-available parts. Note that American Models never made an EMD GP7.

Model Manufacturer Info

Manufacturer:

Cascade Hobby Products

Prototype Info

Category:

GP7

Year/Era:

1949

Manufacturer:

Electro-Motive Division (EMD)

Dimensions:

55'11"

Ext. Reference:

Ext. Reference:

Model Info

Gauge:

S

Product Type:

Conversion Kit

Finish:

unpainted

Power:

DC

Wheels:

scale or hi-rail

Couplers:

AF or scale

Product Notes:

view page

Supplemental Part:

Supplemental Part:

Supplemental Part:

Supplemental Part:

Model Manufacturer Info

Manufacturer:

Ken Kidder Railroad Models

Prototype Info

Category:

GP7

Year/Era:

1949

Manufacturer:

Electro-Motive Division (EMD)

Dimensions:

55'11"

Road Name:

New York Central (NYC)

Ext. Reference:

Ext. Reference:

Model Info

Gauge:

S

Introduced:

1940s

Qty Made:

3

Product Type:

Brass

Finish:

unpainted

Power:

No Chassis

Supplemental Part:

Supplemental Part:

Supplemental Part:

Supplemental Part:

Supplemental Part:

Notes:

Ken Kidder imported unusual HO- and O-scale models, but made one detour into S-scale with this model. It is a body-only model, with the four original fan grids represented by brass furniture tacks.

Dick Karnes re-detailed the body to resemble a NYC GP18, and married it to a Port Able Lines (later Cascade Hobby Products) powered GP7 chassis. Truck sideframes are Enhorning Blombergs. Decals are Microscale. MV lenses, and HO-scale Kadee couplers.

Model Manufacturer Info

Manufacturer:

Lionel (click for web site)

Manufacturer ID:

6-48031

Prototype Info

Category:

GP7

Year/Era:

1949

Manufacturer:

Electro-Motive Division (EMD)

Dimensions:

55'11"

Road Name:

Atchison Topeka & Santa Fe (ATSF)

Ext. Reference:

Ext. Reference:

Model Info

Gauge:

AF

Introduced:

2018

Road Number:

2849

Product Type:

Plastic

Finish:

painted & lettered

Power:

AC or FlyerChief

Wheels:

hi-rail

Couplers:

AF ElectroCouplers

Supplemental Part:

Supplemental Part:

Supplemental Part:

Supplemental Part:

A product review of the engine and its features. The test run start in the last few minutes of the video.

Model Manufacturer Info

Manufacturer:

Lionel (click for web site)

Manufacturer ID:

1921150

Prototype Info

Category:

GP7

Year/Era:

1949

Manufacturer:

Electro-Motive Division (EMD)

Dimensions:

55'11"

Road Name:

Atlantic Coast Line (ACL)

Ext. Reference:

Ext. Reference:

Model Info

Gauge:

AF

Introduced:

2020

Road Number:

164

Product Type:

Plastic

Finish:

painted & lettered

Power:

AC or FlyerChief

Wheels:

hi-rail

Couplers:

AF ElectroCouplers

Supplemental Part:

Supplemental Part:

Supplemental Part:

Supplemental Part:

The engine is pulling a train on the inner loop of Christian's layout.

Model Manufacturer Info

Manufacturer:

Lionel

Prototype Info

Category:

GP7

Year/Era:

1949

Manufacturer:

Electro-Motive Division (EMD)

Dimensions:

55'11"

Road Name:

Boston & Maine (BM)

Ext. Reference:

Ext. Reference:

Model Info

Gauge:

AF

Introduced:

1983

Product Type:

Plastic

Finish:

painted & lettered

Supplemental Part:

Supplemental Part:

Supplemental Part:

Supplemental Part:

Notes:

Part of a freight set released by the Lionel division of Fundimensions (itself a division of General Mills).

Shows the set on a circle of track (very low-quality video).

Model Manufacturer Info

Manufacturer:

Lionel (click for web site)

Manufacturer ID:

6-44115

Prototype Info

Category:

GP7

Year/Era:

1949

Manufacturer:

Electro-Motive Division (EMD)

Dimensions:

55'11"

Road Name:

Boston & Maine (BM)

Ext. Reference:

Ext. Reference:

Model Info

Gauge:

AF

Introduced:

2018

Road Number:

1567

Product Type:

Plastic

Finish:

painted & lettered

Power:

AC or FlyerChief

Wheels:

hi-rail

Couplers:

AF ElectroCouplers

Supplemental Part:

Supplemental Part:

Supplemental Part:

Supplemental Part:

Model Manufacturer Info

Manufacturer:

Lionel (click for web site)

Manufacturer ID:

2221010

Prototype Info

Category:

GP7

Year/Era:

1949

Manufacturer:

Electro-Motive Division (EMD)

Dimensions:

55'11"

Road Name:

Burlington Northern (BN)

Ext. Reference:

Ext. Reference:

Model Info

Gauge:

AF

Introduced:

2022

Road Number:

1540

Product Type:

Plastic

Finish:

painted & lettered

Power:

AC or FlyerChief

Wheels:

hi-rail

Couplers:

AF ElectroCouplers

Supplemental Part:

Supplemental Part:

Supplemental Part:

Supplemental Part:

Model Manufacturer Info

Manufacturer:

Lionel

Manufacturer ID:

6-48013

Prototype Info

Category:

GP7

Year/Era:

1949

Manufacturer:

Electro-Motive Division (EMD)

Dimensions:

55'11"

Road Name:

Conrail (CR)

Ext. Reference:

Ext. Reference:

Model Info

Gauge:

AF

Road Number:

5600

Product Type:

Plastic

Finish:

painted & lettered

Power:

AC

Wheels:

hi-rail

Couplers:

AF

Supplemental Part:

Supplemental Part:

Supplemental Part:

Supplemental Part:

Model Manufacturer Info

Manufacturer:

Lionel (click for web site)

Manufacturer ID:

1921180

Prototype Info

Category:

GP7

Year/Era:

1949

Manufacturer:

Electro-Motive Division (EMD)

Dimensions:

55'11"

Road Name:

Denver & Rio Grande Western (D&RGW)

Ext. Reference:

Ext. Reference:

Model Info

Gauge:

AF

Introduced:

2022

Road Number:

5100

Product Type:

Plastic

Finish:

painted & lettered

Power:

AC or FlyerChief

Wheels:

hi-rail

Couplers:

AF ElectroCouplers

Supplemental Part:

Supplemental Part:

Supplemental Part:

Supplemental Part:

Supplemental Part:

The engine pulling coal and mixed-freight trains.

Model Manufacturer Info

Manufacturer:

Lionel (click for web site)

Manufacturer ID:

6-48045

Prototype Info

Category:

GP7

Year/Era:

1949

Manufacturer:

Electro-Motive Division (EMD)

Dimensions:

55'11"

Road Name:

fantasy: Christmas

Ext. Reference:

Ext. Reference:

Model Info

Gauge:

AF

Introduced:

2018

Road Number:

25

Product Type:

Plastic

Finish:

painted & lettered

Power:

AC or FlyerChief

Wheels:

hi-rail

Couplers:

AF ElectroCouplers

Supplemental Part:

Supplemental Part:

Supplemental Part:

Supplemental Part:

Running the engine, pulling a short freight train.

Model Manufacturer Info

Manufacturer:

Lionel

Prototype Info

Category:

GP7

Year/Era:

1949

Manufacturer:

Electro-Motive Division (EMD)

Dimensions:

55'11"

Road Name:

General Motors (GM)

Ext. Reference:

Ext. Reference:

Model Info

Gauge:

AF

Introduced:

1991

Product Type:

Plastic

Finish:

painted & lettered

Supplemental Part:

Supplemental Part:

Supplemental Part:

Supplemental Part:

Model Manufacturer Info

Manufacturer:

Lionel (click for web site)

Manufacturer ID:

6-44118

Prototype Info

Category:

GP7

Year/Era:

1949

Manufacturer:

Electro-Motive Division (EMD)

Dimensions:

55'11"

Road Name:

Great Northern (GN)

Ext. Reference:

Ext. Reference:

Model Info

Gauge:

AF

Introduced:

2018

Road Number:

601

Product Type:

Plastic

Finish:

painted & lettered

Power:

AC or FlyerChief

Wheels:

hi-rail

Couplers:

AF ElectroCouplers

Supplemental Part:

Supplemental Part:

Supplemental Part:

Supplemental Part:

Supplemental Part:

A product review and test run by the Wichita Toy Train Club.

A product review by Dick Bukowski. A run-by starts at about the 4:30 mark.

Model Manufacturer Info

Manufacturer:

Lionel (click for web site)

Manufacturer ID:

2221030

Prototype Info

Category:

GP7

Year/Era:

1949

Manufacturer:

Electro-Motive Division (EMD)

Dimensions:

55'11"

Road Name:

Lehigh Valley (LV)

Ext. Reference:

Ext. Reference:

Model Info

Gauge:

AF

Introduced:

2022

Road Number:

300

Product Type:

Plastic

Finish:

painted & lettered

Power:

AC or FlyerChief

Wheels:

hi-rail

Couplers:

AF ElectroCouplers

Online Article:

Supplemental Part:

Supplemental Part:

Supplemental Part:

Supplemental Part:

Supplemental Part:

Model Manufacturer Info

Manufacturer:

Lionel (click for web site)

Manufacturer ID:

6-44116

Prototype Info

Category:

GP7

Year/Era:

1949

Manufacturer:

Electro-Motive Division (EMD)

Dimensions:

55'11"

Road Name:

New York Central (NYC)

Ext. Reference:

Ext. Reference:

Model Info

Gauge:

AF

Introduced:

2018

Road Number:

5628

Product Type:

Plastic

Finish:

painted & lettered

Power:

AC or FlyerChief

Wheels:

hi-rail

Couplers:

AF ElectroCouplers

Supplemental Part:

Supplemental Part:

Supplemental Part:

Supplemental Part:

Model Manufacturer Info

Manufacturer:

Lionel (click for web site)

Manufacturer ID:

6-48037

Prototype Info

Category:

GP7

Year/Era:

1949

Manufacturer:

Electro-Motive Division (EMD)

Dimensions:

55'11"

Road Name:

Nickel Plate Road (NKP)

Ext. Reference:

Ext. Reference:

Model Info

Gauge:

AF

Introduced:

2018

Road Number:

514

Product Type:

Plastic

Finish:

painted & lettered

Power:

AC or FlyerChief

Wheels:

hi-rail

Couplers:

AF ElectroCouplers

Online Article:

Supplemental Part:

Supplemental Part:

Supplemental Part:

Supplemental Part:

Model Manufacturer Info

Manufacturer:

Lionel

Prototype Info

Category:

GP7

Year/Era:

1949

Manufacturer:

Electro-Motive Division (EMD)

Dimensions:

55'11"

Road Name:

Northern Pacific (NP)

Ext. Reference:

Ext. Reference:

Model Info

Gauge:

AF

Product Type:

Plastic

Finish:

painted & lettered

Power:

AC or FlyerChief

Wheels:

hi-rail

Couplers:

AF ElectroCouplers

Supplemental Part:

Supplemental Part:

Supplemental Part:

Supplemental Part:

Testing the sounds, by Ed Goldin.

Model Manufacturer Info

Manufacturer:

Lionel (click for web site)

Manufacturer ID:

6-44117

Prototype Info

Category:

GP7

Year/Era:

1949

Manufacturer:

Electro-Motive Division (EMD)

Dimensions:

55'11"

Road Name:

Reading (RDG)

Ext. Reference:

Ext. Reference:

Model Info

Gauge:

AF

Introduced:

2018

Road Number:

619

Product Type:

Plastic

Finish:

painted & lettered

Power:

AC or FlyerChief

Wheels:

hi-rail

Couplers:

AF ElectroCouplers

Supplemental Part:

Supplemental Part:

Supplemental Part:

Supplemental Part:

Model Manufacturer Info

Manufacturer:

Lionel (click for web site)

Manufacturer ID:

6-48032

Prototype Info

Category:

GP7

Year/Era:

1949

Manufacturer:

Electro-Motive Division (EMD)

Dimensions:

55'11"

Road Name:

Union Pacific (UP)

Ext. Reference:

Ext. Reference:

Model Info

Gauge:

AF

Introduced:

2018

Road Number:

125

Product Type:

Plastic

Finish:

painted & lettered

Power:

AC or FlyerChief

Wheels:

hi-rail

Couplers:

AF ElectroCouplers

Supplemental Part:

Supplemental Part:

Supplemental Part:

Supplemental Part:

Model Manufacturer Info

Manufacturer:

Lionel (click for web site)

Manufacturer ID:

2221040

Prototype Info

Category:

GP7

Year/Era:

1949

Manufacturer:

Electro-Motive Division (EMD)

Dimensions:

55'11"

Road Name:

Wabash (WAB)

Ext. Reference:

Ext. Reference:

Model Info

Gauge:

AF

Introduced:

2022

Road Number:

475

Product Type:

Plastic

Finish:

painted & lettered

Power:

AC or FlyerChief

Wheels:

hi-rail

Couplers:

AF ElectroCouplers

Supplemental Part:

Supplemental Part:

Supplemental Part:

Supplemental Part:

Supplemental Part:

Model Manufacturer Info

Manufacturer:

Port Able Lines

Prototype Info

Category:

GP7

Year/Era:

1949

Manufacturer:

Electro-Motive Division (EMD)

Dimensions:

55'11"

Ext. Reference:

Ext. Reference:

Model Info

Gauge:

S

Product Type:

Conversion Kit

Finish:

unpainted

Power:

DC

Wheels:

scale

Supplemental Part:

Supplemental Part:

Supplemental Part:

Supplemental Part:

Notes:

The history of this kit is a bit complex. The kit was originally released by company founder Jack Amerine, but he sold the company to Jon Beveridge in around 1970. Jon renamed the company Cascade Hobby Products, and continued to sell these kits, but with improvements. The kit came with one powered truck, which you can see in the fourth photo. Dick Karnes has stated that the body of the kit was a Ken Kidder product/design, but the basic concept was to convert an A.C. Gilbert A.F. GP7 to scale. Jon Beveridge added pilots with steps, replacement stanchions to improve the frame assembly, and hood fan housings to the kit.

This, and the next, photo show the various components of the kit.

Model Manufacturer Info

Manufacturer:

Sunset Models, Inc.

Factory:

Kumata Models (KMT), Japan

Prototype Info

Category:

GP7

Year/Era:

1949

Manufacturer:

Electro-Motive Division (EMD)

Dimensions:

55'11"

Ext. Reference:

Ext. Reference:

Model Info

Gauge:

S

Introduced:

1984

Product Type:

Brass Kit

Finish:

unpainted

Power:

DC

Wheels:

scale

Supplemental Part:

Supplemental Part:

Supplemental Part:

Supplemental Part:

Notes:

This is the freight version. Uses rubber belt drive system (these can be replaced with McMaster-Carr part #1679k164). The shell is made up of several pieces. The frame, platform, and hand rails are one piece. The cab and the hoods each are separate pieces. There are two flat "can" Canon motors inside the hood, one at each end. This was one of the last models manufactured in Japan (before brass manufacturing moved to Korea). These engines were originally gauged for the older NMRA S-scale standard.

Although blurry, this photo shows the two-motor solution, along with the belt drive systems.

Model Manufacturer Info

Manufacturer:

Sunset Models, Inc.

Factory:

Kumata Models (KMT), Japan

Prototype Info

Category:

GP7

Year/Era:

1949

Manufacturer:

Electro-Motive Division (EMD)

Dimensions:

55'11"

Ext. Reference:

Ext. Reference:

Model Info

Gauge:

S

Introduced:

1984

Product Type:

Brass Kit

Finish:

unpainted

Power:

DC

Wheels:

scale

Online Article:

Supplemental Part:

Supplemental Part:

Supplemental Part:

Supplemental Part:

Notes:

This is the passenger version (additional tanks mounted on the roof). Uses rubber belt drive system (these can be replaced with McMaster-Carr part #1679k164). These engines were originally gauged for the older NMRA S-scale standard.

Model Manufacturer Info

Manufacturer:

Truly DIY

Prototype Info

Category:

GP7

Year/Era:

1949

Manufacturer:

Electro-Motive Division (EMD)

Dimensions:

55'11"

Ext. Reference:

Ext. Reference:

Model Info

Gauge:

S

Introduced:

2023

Product Type:

3D-printed Plastic Kit

Finish:

printed in color

Power:

Battery

Wheels:

scale

Supplemental Part:

Supplemental Part:

Supplemental Part:

Supplemental Part: