Athearn Genesis G82619 HO Scale EMD GP7 Reading RDG 617

In 1949, EMD introduced the GP7. The basic design followed most diesel switchers with the addition of a short hood instead of an end-cab. The hoods were also full height to better accommodate the diesel engine and mechanical and electrical components.

In 1954 EMD upgraded the GP7 to become the 1,750 horsepower GP9. Externally, the first GP9s were virtually unchanged from the last GP7s. Later versions would include different louver arrangements and the last ones would come without the frame skirting. The GP9 was available with all of the fuel tank, steam generator, and dynamic brake options as the GP7, including “torpedo tube” air tanks mounted on the roof.

Many railroads chose to rebuild their GP7s and GP9s for continued service. Often times, it was cheaper to do this rather than purchasing brand-new locomotives.

At the end of 1952, the Reading’s road freight operations were 65% dieselized. The road continued to push towards full dieselization and ordered 28 GP7s in 1953. These came painted in the carrier’s standard dark green paint scheme with yellow trim. Set up to run long-hood forward, the units had long careers on the Reading, with 17 of them lasting until the 1976 creation of Conrail, and several others finding new homes on other railroads.

FEATURES:

As-delivered RDG paint scheme- first time in Genesis!
Unique Reading “L shaped grabs” on short hood
RDG Rain gutters on cab
Leslie S3L horn
Long hood-forward operation
Different wheel bearing styles per prototype
Different fuel tank capacities per prototype

Coupler cut levers
Trainline and MU hoses
Drop steps unless noted
MU stands
“Nub” style walkway tread
Windshield wiper
Lift rings
Wire grab irons
Windshield wipers
Sander lines
Bell placement & type per prototype
Detailed fuel tank with fuel fillers, fuel gauges, breather pipes, and retention tanks
Blomberg-B trucks with appropriate bearing caps
Speed recorder unless noted
See-through cab windows and full cab interior
Fine-scale Celcon handrails for scale appearance
Etched metal radiator intake grilles and fan grilles
Air tanks mounted below sill unless noted
Body-mounted McHenry® scale knuckle couplers – Kadee® compatible
DCC-ready features Quick Plug™ plug-and-play technology with 21-pin NEM connector
Scaled from prototype resources including drawings, field measurements, photographs, and more
Accurately painted and printed paint schemes
Genesis driveline with 5-pole skew wound motor, precision machined flywheels, and multi-link drivetrain
All-wheel drive with precision gears for smooth & quiet operation
All-wheel electrical pickup provides reliable current flow
Wheels with RP25 contours operate on all popular brands of track
LED Lighting for realistic appearance
Heavy die-cast frame for greater traction and more pulling power
Packaging securely holds for the model for safe storage
Minimum radius: 18”