What are the look alikes of the Bachmann GP50(high hood)?

[mikebalcos]

If the F7A looks similar to a FP7A, am I correct to say that the Bachmann GP50 (high hood) looks like a GP40? If so, what can be considered noteworthy differences between a GP50 and a GP40?

[nachoman]

Partially correct. I'm no diesel fan, but all GPs have comon features, all Fs have common features, and so on and so forth. The difference between an F7 and an FP7 is that the FP7 is longer because it had a steam generator for use with passenger trains. There are other differences, but the length is the main one.

GP40s and GP50s are similar in appearance, but the avid diesel spotter would easily know the differences. Typical differences between GPs include the number and sizes of fans, the arrangement of doors along the sides, the fuel tank size, and length. I couldn't tell you what the specific dtail differences are between a GP40 and GP50 are, but I am sure others here can.

From an HO modeling perspective, there is really no reason to try to bash a GP50 into a GP40 or vice-versa, as good models of both locomotives are on the market in HO scale. People used to do such kitbashes, but that was before there were as many models on the market as there are today.

Kevin

[mikebalcos]

Thanks for the info. My engine roster is mostly made up of F7's and RDCs, so I'm more of the 1950's era guy. I just have a Bachmann GP50 which is a little odd for my era. Btw, the GP50 was a bargain in Beijing. Furthermore, I sometimes use F7's as FP7's for passenger service. I think it is the practice of some to use a particular engine (let's say a F7A) for another similar looking engine (let's say a FP7A). Am I correct?

I'll do my research if my GP50 can take the place of a GP7. What I am particular about this are the lengths.

[Triplex]

Basically, there are two groups of GPs. The early ones (GP7/9/18/20) are lower overall, with rounded cab roofs. The later ones (GP35-60 including Dash 2s) have angled cabs and roofs level with the top of the cab. The GP30 is an odd one; nothing else can be mistaken for it. Anyway, the GP50 cannot pass for a 1950s engine. It does resemble the GP40/-2 somewhat. The main obvious difference is that the GP50 has a larger radiator section.

[eightyeightfan1]

According to THE CONTEMPORARY DIESEL SPOTTERS GUIDE (Louis Marre c.1995), the GP-40 and the GP-50 were the same length and wheel base. The only difference between the two was the GP40's 3000hp EMD 645E engine, and the GP50's 3500hp 645F prime movers, and the fact that the GP50 had a bigger radiator section to cool the all those ponies.
Only 278 GP50's were built.

[mikebalcos]

Thanks again. I did some internet research, and found out that a particular GP7 HO model measured 7.5 inches. I measured my GP50, and it had the same length. I think I can fool people who don't know trains into thinking it is a GP7.

[eightyeightfan1]

Well, Just don't let any railfans see your layout.

Anyone with knowledge will know the difference. Alot of the early GP's (7's and 9's)were built with high short hoods. Rebuilds, had thier short hoods lowered, but the long hood between the GP7 and the GP50 there is a major difference.
The GP50 has an inertial air filter(the box behind the cab) and a blower vent that extends to the walkway. There are more fans on the rear of the long hood,(three as to the GP7's two). Except for Norfolk Southern, all GP50's were built with low short hoods, and all EMDs after the GP30 were built with angled cabs(though some GP7's rebuilds may have them, especially if a railroad piece-mealed two wrecks to make one good loco).

[scubadude]

Who cares?? I say run 'em both and have a good time!!

[eightyeightfan1]

Oh...I'm not saying not to run them. In fact, a real model railroader would say "Thats a good looking GP50 you got there", where as the "railroad illiterate", wouldn't know the GP7, from a Big Boy.
He could pull it off.....

[mikebalcos]

I am just curious: what can you consider the front and rear of a high hood GP50? I've read that the earlier GPs were designed to go in any direction.

[eightyeightfan1]

On most railroads the, "high" short hoods were considered the front.
Except for the Norfolk Southern, which considers the long hood the front.

And yes, they can run in either direction. Now a days, a lot of railroads will m.u. two locos tail to tail, so they don't need a turntable to turn them.
Also, when spotting cars at a siding, they just cut off the rear facing loco to drill the cars. This way the engineer has a better view when backing up.

[Triplex]

In the transition era, before the development of the low nose, there were many railroads that considered the long hood the front. Some had dual control stands, so they could run equally well either way. After about 1963, almost everything was low nose and short hood forward, except Southern and N&W. N&W diesels had dual controls, and the long hood was designated the front. N&W stopped ordering high noses in 1973, but kept the dual controls. Southern's diesels were set up for long hood forward only. Only Southern bought high short hood GP50s. They bought no lownose power right up until the NS merger in '82. NS initially followed N&W practice (low nose, dual controls).

[Russ Bellinis]

Mike, if you lived in the United States some people might think it funny to see a gp50 running in consist with a gp7. Even then it shouldn't make any difference. Your model railroad is for your enjoyment. In the Philippines, probably no one will know enough about American prototype practice or even prototype locomotives to even see anything unusual about it, especially if both units have high short hoods.

[Triplex]

Locomotives that different in era do run together. CR 7530 RailPictures.Net Photo » Burlington Northern Santa Fe EMD GP50

[jeffrey-wimberl]

It's a fairly common practice on some roads to run such locos together. Also Southern did have high hood GP50's and they did run long hood forward. I have a two loco consist of an F7-A and a GP50. In forward the F7-A is leading and in reverse the GP50 is leading (long hood forward of course).