The Frist GP-7s

[R.N. Nelson]

Thanks. Now we know.

Norman

[SSW9389]

First GP7s delivered were EMD serials 7439-7443, 10546; 01/50 (SW trucks) EMD Order #5000
for Nashville Chattanooga & St Louis 700-705. The next build dates are in February 1950. Data from A J Kristopans EMD Serial Number webpage http://community-1.webtv.net/ajkristopans/ROADSWITCHERS567/ .

[R.N. Nelson]

Jeff:

That sounds like some mighty good information.  Thanks for sharing.

This all jives with information about when the B&O purchased their first GP-7s for passenger commuter service (740-746) in late 1953, which had roof top air tanks,  A lot was based on the good performance that the like units had achieved on the C&NW.

While the B&O assignments, which replaced steam, were for relatively short commuter trips  (Baltimore-Washington 38 miles, Washington-Brunswick, MD 49 miles) one assignment was, Philadelphia-Washington, 135 miles.

With the added fuel capacity, the engines had a quicker turn around time and a longer range. The B&O, and I'm sure some other railroads, wanted the flexibility of being to able to supplement their "E Unit" passenger fleet (1200 gallons) with the GP-7 passenger units with nearly the same fuel capacity (1100 gallons), if need be..

Norman

 

[jeffhergert]

From what I can gather from the article, the original demonstrators were first assigned to passenger service.  That was the service orginally contemplated by the CNW for the geeps.  The first order for newly built engines included 4 with steam generators for passenger service and orders for freight service and some lettered for the CStPM&O subsidiary, for 1951 delivery.

The CNW passenger geeps from this order had the roof top air tanks and may have been the first delivered.  The CNW, as did others, found the original fuel and water capacity a bit lacking for longer haul passenger service.  The article says that other railroads may have requested the larger fuel and boiler water tanks which compelled the modification.  It doesn't actually say CNW was the first to receive such an engine equipped with roof top tanks, but sounds like it was one of the early buyers of such.  It does say the Frisco was the first to order a GP7 equipped with a steam generator and one of the early buyers.

Jeff  

[Train-O]

Stix,

Great photos.

Thank you,

Ralph

[wjstix]

I might be wrong but I think the "passenger" GP option came later. As designed and originally built the GP-7 was pretty "plain vanilla" and didn't even include the option for dynamic brakes.

CNW 1518 was one of the three demonstrators built (100, 200 and 300, I think 1518 was 100?) and so is generally considered to be the first GP built (though not the first delivered). It is currently being restored at the Illinois Railroad Museum.

http://www.irm.org/dieseldept/restoration/cnw1518/index.html

[R.N. Nelson]

Jeff:

Is there any indication in the article that the C&NW got the first passenger GP-7s for long haul with the air tanks on the roof? Or perhaps they had their order with EMD modified to have this done? It would have been in 1950, I suspect.

Norman

.

[jeffhergert]

FlyingCrow

General Motors Electro Motive Division (EMD) built the GP7 4 axle Diesel road switcher from October, 1949 through May, 1954. EMD needed a new design to compete with ALCO, Baldwin and other companies that were already building road switches of their own. They needed a general-purpose locomotive that could do yard switching, freight hauling and easily go in both directions. The GP series (or "Geep" as it was nicknamed) was the answer. They delivered their first GP7 to the Chicago & North Western Railroad in 1949 and by 1954 had produced a total of 2,724 units for service in the United States, Canada and Mexico. An EMD 567B sixteen-cylinder engine powered them

The current issue of the CNW Historical Society has an article on the geeps (first in a series) and states the CNW received their first GP7 in August of 1950.  Their first purchase included the 3 original demonstrater models.  It says there were some orders for the GP7 before the CNW's, but dosen't state which railroads.  A couple of Rock Island souces show their first GP7 to be delivered in July of 1950 and I don't think they were the first to order either.

Jeff

[FlyingCrow]

General Motors Electro Motive Division (EMD) built the GP7 4 axle Diesel road switcher from October, 1949 through May, 1954. EMD needed a new design to compete with ALCO, Baldwin and other companies that were already building road switches of their own. They needed a general-purpose locomotive that could do yard switching, freight hauling and easily go in both directions. The GP series (or "Geep" as it was nicknamed) was the answer. They delivered their first GP7 to the Chicago & North Western Railroad in 1949 and by 1954 had produced a total of 2,724 units for service in the United States, Canada and Mexico. An EMD 567B sixteen-cylinder engine powered them

[R.N. Nelson]

Anyone know which railroad was the very first to receive an order of GP-7s? I know some had demos and I am relatively certain that the C&NW (1950) was the first to use the passenger model for long hauls, requiring the air tanks to be relocated to the roof to make space for larger fuel tanks.

I keep thinking that the NYC was the very first railroad to purchase GP-7s. but I'm not sure. I do know that EMD offered both freight and passenger models for short hauls from the beginning and the passenger long haul later, based on the CN&W's needs.

Norman