Trains.com

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

When I say Geep, you say…

4388 views
40 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: North Dakota
  • 9,592 posts
Posted by BroadwayLion on Friday, July 29, 2022 8:27 AM

BNSF

The Route of the Broadway Lion The Largest Subway Layout in North Dakota.

Here there be cats.                                LIONS with CAMERAS

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • From: Clinton, MO, US
  • 4,261 posts
Posted by Medina1128 on Tuesday, July 26, 2022 11:02 AM

GP-35s', GP-38-2's and GP40's. When I built my first layout, all of my motive power was Athearn Blue Box Geeps.

  • Member since
    April 2015
  • 469 posts
Posted by Enzoamps on Tuesday, July 26, 2022 12:52 AM

Consider that the original poster wondered what mental image we have when we say "geep".

  • Member since
    January 2002
  • From: Canterlot
  • 9,575 posts
Posted by zugmann on Monday, July 25, 2022 4:45 PM

wjstix
My point was calling a GP40 (for example) a "Geep" is fine, but it's not a "Geep forty". It's a "G.P. Forty".

Some RRers call them a Gee Pee 40.  Others Jeep40.  Both seems to be used pretty much on the regular.  I don't think it's just a railfan thing. 

It's been fun.  But it isn't much fun anymore.   Signing off for now. 


  

The opinions expressed here represent my own and not those of my employer, any other railroad, company, or person.t fun any

  • Member since
    February 2002
  • From: Mpls/St.Paul
  • 13,892 posts
Posted by wjstix on Monday, July 25, 2022 4:32 PM

zugmann
 
wjstix
GP30 is the correct model name, "Geep" is just a railfan nickname.

 

We out here in the company call them geeps, too. 

 

 
My point was calling a GP40 (for example) a "Geep" is fine, but it's not a "Geep forty". It's a "G.P. Forty".
Stix
  • Member since
    January 2017
  • From: Southern Florida Gulf Coast
  • 18,255 posts
Posted by SeeYou190 on Monday, July 25, 2022 4:25 PM

The original version of the SGRR were set in 1968, and the GP-35 was always my favorite. It just looks completely "right" to my eye.

I used the GP-35 on SGRR letterhead for decades. I had more N scale GP-35s than any other locomotive model.

-Kevin

Living the dream.

  • Member since
    January 2002
  • From: Canterlot
  • 9,575 posts
Posted by zugmann on Monday, July 25, 2022 2:21 PM

wjstix
GP30 is the correct model name, "Geep" is just a railfan nickname.

We out here in the company call them geeps, too. 

It's been fun.  But it isn't much fun anymore.   Signing off for now. 


  

The opinions expressed here represent my own and not those of my employer, any other railroad, company, or person.t fun any

  • Member since
    March 2016
  • 1,553 posts
Posted by PRR8259 on Monday, July 25, 2022 12:04 PM

I say Alligator RSD-15...most geeps prior to 38 and 40 series, I just really do not care for.

John

  • Member since
    February 2002
  • From: Mpls/St.Paul
  • 13,892 posts
Posted by wjstix on Monday, July 25, 2022 9:27 AM

I only use "Geep" in the generic sense, like "the train was pulled by three Geeps". I don't use it for a specific engine type, so I would never say the train was pulled by "three Geep 30s". I would say "three G-P-30s" spelling out the G and P letters. GP30 is the correct model name, "Geep" is just a railfan nickname.

But maybe that's just me. Confused

Stix
  • Member since
    March 2021
  • 260 posts
Posted by Tin Can II on Monday, July 25, 2022 9:03 AM

GP7s.  For years, my favorite runners on at the club or on our modular layouts was a pair of Atlas Santa Fe zebra striped GP7s.  Looked good, ran better.  

I also love the GP7s that Santa Fe rebuilt with "Topeka cabs" and chopped noses at Cleburne; although full disclosure, I also love CF7s as well. 

 

  • Member since
    August 2013
  • 65 posts
Posted by GP025 on Sunday, July 24, 2022 6:42 PM

hon30critter

Sorry, I know the spelling isn't right, but I have to say Willys! (but GP 7s and 9s are a close second.

Dave

 

Dave, that was the first thing I thought of!

DrW
  • Member since
    January 2008
  • From: Lubbock, TX
  • 371 posts
Posted by DrW on Sunday, July 24, 2022 6:07 PM

ATLANTIC CENTRAL

 

To my eyes, a GP30 is ugly, a GP7 or GP9 has the simple functional beauty of utility.

Sheldon

 

Especially if it is not tarted up with a fancy paint scheme. My favorite: a Santa Fe GP7A/B pair in black with zebra stripes.

  • Member since
    April 2015
  • 469 posts
Posted by Enzoamps on Sunday, July 24, 2022 5:46 PM

I may be weird, but GP30 makes me think of Scott Caan.

  • Member since
    May 2020
  • 1,057 posts
Posted by wrench567 on Sunday, July 24, 2022 4:37 PM

  I think of the four wheel army vehicle of WW2 vintage. To me it's the true geep. Then the little Popey character.

    Pete.

  • Member since
    January 2004
  • From: Canada, eh?
  • 13,375 posts
Posted by doctorwayne on Sunday, July 24, 2022 3:52 PM

ATLANTIC CENTRAL
...The 1958 Chevy on the other hand is the most beautiful car GM ever built....

My intention wasn't to denigrate the '58 Chevy (two of my uncles bought them that year), but I mentioned them simply because they remind me of the GP30, just as the GP30 reminds me of those Chevys.  I did like the look of the Chevs, but not that diesel.

Wayne

 

  • Member since
    January 2002
  • From: Canterlot
  • 9,575 posts
Posted by zugmann on Sunday, July 24, 2022 6:49 AM

OldEngineman
I seldom (ever?) encountered one that wasn't a pleasure to be on.

I've had a few.  But that's due to maintenance (or lack thereof).   And rebuilt ones always seem to lose some of their pulling power. 

I'm a sucker for anything with gauges over computer screens, and none of that electronic airbrake crap, please.  I mostly use 38-2s, so that's what I think of geep. 

 

 

 

It's been fun.  But it isn't much fun anymore.   Signing off for now. 


  

The opinions expressed here represent my own and not those of my employer, any other railroad, company, or person.t fun any

  • Member since
    August 2003
  • From: Collinwood, Ohio, USA
  • 16,367 posts
Posted by gmpullman on Sunday, July 24, 2022 6:11 AM

 NKP_479_RockyRiver by Edmund, on Flickr

 NYC_GP7_5660-5656 by Edmund, on Flickr

 9/74, EL GP7 1401 by OHFalcon72, on Flickr

 

Works for me —

     Regards, Ed

  • Member since
    January 2009
  • From: Maryland
  • 12,897 posts
Posted by ATLANTIC CENTRAL on Saturday, July 23, 2022 11:14 PM

doctorwayne

 

 
ndbprr

GP30 for me.  The only one with some style.

 

 

 
BEAUSABRE
Ugly as a blind date

 

I agree...they always reminded me of the '58 Chevy.

 

 
JDawg

When I say Geep, you say…

 

 

I say Sweep...

...which referred to locos like 1364 (an SW1200RS) at above left, which were converted to locos like 7104, which kept the SW1200RS cab, but replaced the locos' hood with one from a Geep.

The SW1200RS is my favourite GMD diesel, while the "Sweep" is as ugly as a mud fence.

Wayne

 

Well beauty really is in the eye of the beholder. 

To my eyes, a GP30 is ugly, a GP7 or GP9 has the simple functional beauty of utility.

The 1958 Chevy on the other hand is the most beautiful car GM ever built.

But then again, when it comes to automobiles, I like these as well:

While beautiful, the 1958 Chevy was no where near as practical as the Checker was. 

Sheldon

    

  • Member since
    May 2012
  • 1,855 posts
Posted by angelob6660 on Saturday, July 23, 2022 10:38 PM

My mind goes with the GP7/9 locomotives. Although I love the GP38-2 and GP60 that my mind doesn't recognize it as a geep.

All the years of railroading brainwashing called the GP7/9 version as the official geep locomotive.

Modeling the G.N.O. Railway, The Diamond Route.

Amtrak America, 1971-Present.

  • Member since
    February 2018
  • From: Danbury Freight Yard
  • 459 posts
Posted by OldEngineman on Saturday, July 23, 2022 9:44 PM

The best GPs were the GP38 and GP40 series -- smooth, reliable horses for the working railroader. I seldom (ever?) encountered one that wasn't a pleasure to be on.

  • Member since
    February 2008
  • 8,877 posts
Posted by maxman on Saturday, July 23, 2022 6:55 PM

See the source image

  • Member since
    June 2014
  • From: Ohio
  • 231 posts
Posted by josephbw on Saturday, July 23, 2022 5:04 PM

GP 30 - My favorite also. Big Smile

Joe

  • Member since
    April 2016
  • 252 posts
Posted by Lazers on Saturday, July 23, 2022 4:43 PM

GP38-2, Late series, no DB, Paper Air Filters + a Plough

"It's the South Shore Line, Jim - but not as we know it".

  • Member since
    January 2004
  • From: Canada, eh?
  • 13,375 posts
Posted by doctorwayne on Saturday, July 23, 2022 2:05 PM

ndbprr

GP30 for me.  The only one with some style.

BEAUSABRE
Ugly as a blind date

I agree...they always reminded me of the '58 Chevy, though.

JDawg

When I say Geep, you say…

I say Sweep...

...which referred to locos like 1364 (an SW1200RS) at above left, which were converted to locos like 7104, which kept the SW1200RS cab, but replaced the locos' hood with one from a Geep.

The SW1200RS is my favourite GMD diesel, while the "Sweep" is as ugly as a mud fence.

Wayne

  • Member since
    May 2019
  • 1,314 posts
Posted by BEAUSABRE on Saturday, July 23, 2022 1:41 PM

ndbprr
Home»Model Railroader»Forums»General Discussion (Model Railroader) New Reply Fill out the form below to create a new reply. ndbprr wrote the following post an hour ago: GP30 for me.  The only one with some style.

Ugly as a blind date

  • Member since
    January 2004
  • From: Canada, eh?
  • 13,375 posts
Posted by doctorwayne on Saturday, July 23, 2022 1:35 PM

As a kid, growing-up in Hamilton, Ontario, I saw my first GMD TH&B GP-7 in 1950, not realising that it was the death knell for steam, especially the road's two Berkshires, the only ones in Canada.
In 1954, 3 GP-9s arrived, intended for passenger service.  The 7s were freight locos, usually operating short-hood first, while the 9s, passenger locos, ran long-hood forward. 
When passenger service began to decline, the 9s became freight locos, while two RDCs took over the remaining passenger runs (I had a very entertaining ride on the RDCs, near the end of their service).

I later decided that I wanted a couple of TH&B geeps for my layout, but as far as I was aware, there was nobody producing them in HO scale.
I set out to make my own, using Athearn geeps, and many self-taken photos of the real ones, to make sure that my models would be accurately represented.

At that time, Floquil had recently release their new Polly S paint, so I decided to try it, mixing various colours until I had dead-on matches for both the maroon and cream colours used on the prototype - the swatch of paint, applied with a brush onto coloured photos of the real diesels, was indiscernable, unless the photo was held at an angle under good lighting.
I brush painted the two locos, using both colours in-turn, along with masking tape, and using C-D-S dry transfers as masking devices for the contrasting colours.  Multiple applications of paint were required.  At that time, there were no dry transfers available for the TH&B logo on the cabs, so I did them freehand, using a brush.
When the locos were done, I was pleased with the results, but wanted to see what  the guy at the hobbyshop thought of them.
He did seem pretty enthusiastic, and asked if I would mind if he used them for a week or two as display models. 
I was a little hesitant, but okayed it, as long as the locos were not handled by the customers.

A couple weeks later, and a bit anxious about my locos, I returned to the shop to pick them up.  As I was placing them carefully into their box, the sales guy ducked under the counter and came back up with a dozen boxed, and undecorated GP-9s. 
"Could-ja do these?  You could make some pretty-good dough!"

If I had been aware of what custom painters charged, I probably could have retired young.  Anyway, this procedure continued to repeat, and I was finally talked-into buying an airbrush to allow speedier results.  I quickly learned that it wasn't very much faster than brush-painting, but I did eventually learn how to use it properly, and nowadays, prefer airbrushing (in most cases) over brushwork.

I went on to produce a total of 15 HO TH&B switchers (NW-2s and SW-9s), one in brass and another in N scale, and 25 GP-7s, and 26 GP-9s...

...and was relieved when both Atlas and Proto-2000 released their versions of TH&B diesels. 

I also did several hundred freight and passenger cars (mostly kits) for both myself and a couple other hobby shops, and then later, not only for myself, but also for friends.
I actually was unaware of doing so much work for others until I glanced though a journal where I had recorded much of that activity. 

I still do model work for friends, but not for money...I was appalled when I learned what some professional painters were charging...for me, a satisfied owner was reward enough.

Here's my two original TH&B geeps...

...and a couple of on-layout views...

Wayne

 

  • Member since
    September 2002
  • 7,486 posts
Posted by ndbprr on Saturday, July 23, 2022 12:44 PM

GP30 for me.  The only one with some style.

  • Member since
    March 2002
  • From: Milwaukee WI (Fox Point)
  • 11,439 posts
Posted by dknelson on Saturday, July 23, 2022 12:38 PM

If someone says (or writes) "it was a short train, just one Geep and three cars," or "the grain elevator's own locomotive is a Geep," or "with 18" radius curves you have to be satisfied with running Geeps" ----- if I see or hear things like that I think GP7 or GP9.  I would not think GP60 or GP38-2.

Now,  GP18s or GP20s -- I wouldn't assume those but I'd nod OK if told that is what the other person was referring to.  Once you are beyond GP20 I think of the actual locomotive designation rather than the word Geep.

Dave Nelson

  • Member since
    December 2004
  • From: Bedford, MA, USA
  • 21,483 posts
Posted by MisterBeasley on Saturday, July 23, 2022 11:23 AM

My first HO engine was a Milwaukee GP9.  I run 4 of them now, although that first one, an Athearn belt-drive, is just a sound dummy.

I have 1 GP9M, a Walthers Trainline model that was quite a bargain, although I had to add a decoder and even a rear headlight.  These engines were produced from older original GP9s by making the nose end chopped for better visibility.  I looked up my engine number in the Milwaukee roster and found the engine number it was made from.  I repainted and redecaled my old dummy engine to be that now-gone locomotive, and I typically run the two as a consist.  The Trainline model, incidentally, has the old oversized dimensions of my original Athearns, not the more correct hood width of something like my P2K geeps.

It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse. 

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

Users Online

There are no community member online

Search the Community

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Model Railroader Newsletter See all
Sign up for our FREE e-newsletter and get model railroad news in your inbox!