PROTOTYPE

By the 1970s, the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway was facing the same problem many owners of large fleets of 1950s-vintage GP7 and GP9 locomotives was facing; what to do with locomotives approaching their 15th or even 20th birthdays, and long since eclipsed by higher-horsepower, newer-technology machines. While no longer as useful on increasingly heavier over-the-road trains due to their lower horsepower and tractive effort, they could still be of use in switching and local duty. However, their as-built high short hoods and aging cab appliances would be a liability, not to mention their declining reliability from years of hard service.

Like some other railroads did during that era, such as Illinois Central and Southern Pacific, Santa Fe decided to cycle their GP7 and GP9 units through an in-house rebuild program in their Cleburne, Texas shops. In November 1972, the first units would be released, sporting "chopped" short hoods for improved visibility, and a host of internal improvements and upgrades. Interestingly, these first few rebuilds retained their round-roof cabs, before the railroad would switch to an angled-roof version, nicknamed "Topeka" cabs, whose design, according to railfan lore, originated at Santa Fe’s Topeka, Kansas shops.

Sporting the unofficial designation of GP7u and GP9u by railfans (the "u" indicating "upgraded"), hundreds would be released from Cleburne’s shops, serving all over the vast Santa Fe system in a variety of roles. Visually distinctive thanks to their unique cab roofline...markedly different from contemporary EMD cabs of the time...with a few changes to the design here and there, such as revisions to the numberboard housing, the design would evolve into one of the most ubiquitous faces on the Santa Fe railroad of the 1970s through the 1990s. Although none remain on today’s BNSF roster, many continue to serve to this day with shortline and industrial railroads...testimony to the longevity of Santa Fe’s rebuild effort.

In continuing with the extremely popular Athearn Genesis GP7/9 series of locomotives, we are pleased to introduce the Athearn Genesis GP7u and GP9u family of locomotives. Based upon later rebuilds with angled cabs and revised number board housings, these represent what to many are the "quintessential" GP7u and GP9u Topeka Cab rebuilds. As you’ve come to expect from Athearn Genesis, many, many detail variations will be done per roadnumber and era, including different GP7u and GP9u carbody phases (Phase I, II, etc.), exhaust stacks, horns, cab step boxes, radio antennas, beacons, "blanked" dynamic brake housings, sidesill fuel tank skirts, and more. Featuring the proven Athearn Genesis GP7/9 mechanism, these smooth-running models will be DCC-ready in analog, and will also be available with optional DCC and SoundTraxx Tsunami sound.

GP7u FEATURES

• Etched metal radiator intake grilles and fan grilles
• Fully-assembled and ready-to-run
• DCC-ready features Quick Plug™ plug-and-play technology with both 8- and 9-pin connector
• Scaled from prototype resources including drawings, field measurements, photographs, and more
• Accurately painted and printed paint schemes
• Body mounted McHenry operating scale knuckle couplers
• Genesis driveline with 5-pole skew wound motor, precision machined flywheels, and multi-link drivetrain for trouble free operation
• All-wheel drive with precision gears for smooth and quiet operation
• All-wheel electrical pickup provides reliable current flow
• Wheels with RP25 contours operate on Code 70, 75, 83, and 100 rail
• Incandescent bulbs for realistic appearance
• Bidirectional constant lighting so headlight brightness remains constant
• Heavy die-cast frame for greater traction and more pulling power
• Packaging securely holds for the model for safe storage
• Minimum radius: 18"

• #2201
  • GP7u Phase II
  • 86" and 82" engine compartment doors
  • Early "blanked" dynamic brake hatch
  • Skirts with long slots
  • 1,200 gallon fuel tank
• #2222
  • GP7u Phase II
  • Operating Prime Stratolite beacon when operated with DCC
  • Pointed pilot plow
  • 86" and 82" engine compartment doors
  • Early "blanked" dynamic brake hatch
  • Skirts with long slots
  • 1,200 gallon fuel tank
• #2230
  • GP7u Phase I
  • Operating Prime Stratolite beacon when operated with DCC
  • Pointed pilot plow
  • Cab headlight
  • Hood straps
  • 86" engine compartment doors
  • Non-dynamic brake
  • Center two exhaust stacks include an exhaust stack plate
  • Small side sill EFCO Tab
  • 1,600 gallon fuel tank
• #2233
  • GP7u Phase I
  • Operating Prime Stratolite beacon when operated with DCC
  • Cab headlight
  • Hood straps
  • 86" engine compartment doors
  • Non-dynamic brake
  • Skirts with long slots
  • 1,600 gallon fuel tank
• All SF road numbers
  • All-new tooling
  • M.U. 3-hose clusters with silver glad-hands
  • Train line hoses with silver glad-hands
  • Late coupler cut levers
  • Drop steps
  • "Nub" style walkway tread
  • Front and rear short square M.U. stands
  • GP7u Battery Box Doors
  • Dual sealed beam headlights with anti-glare shields
  • Santa Fe Topeka Cab
  • Late low nose cab interior with AAR control stand
  • Separately applied windshield wipers
  • See through cab windows
  • Cab side panel without armrest
  • Small rear view mirror fore of right side cab window
  • Wind deflector fore of left side cab window
  • Sunshade tracks with sunshade
  • Vapor air conditioner
  • Nathan AirChime K3LA 3-chime air horn with square bracket
  • Antenna ground plane with large Sinclair antenna
  • Short rear step box on left side behind the cab
  • Wire grab irons and lift rings
  • Small hood-mounted inertial air filter hatch
  • Four exhaust stacks
  • 36" radiator fans with blades visible inside
  • Ratchet brake
  • Underframe mounted bell
  • Air tank set with Salem air filter
  • Blomberg-B trucks with deleted outer brake shoes
  • Hyatt bearing caps
  • Spare knuckle mounted on the right side trucks
  • Speed recorder
  • Sander lines
  • Era: 1970s+