An Unpowered Unit for Realistic Double-Heading!
By the mid-`60s, EMD's General Purpose locomotives, known as "Geeps," had gained a favorable reputation with railroads. They were hard working road switchers known for their versatility and dependability. The 1500-h.p. GP-7, introduced in 1949, had set the standard for the series of locomotives, and the GP-40, which came along 16 years later, was to be yet another improvement in the GP family tree.
The GP-40 doubled the horsepower rating of the GP-7 and introduced the 645-series engine to the Geep heritage. EMD had relied upon the 567-series prime mover for years. The 3,000-h.p. in the GP-40 was indeed impressive, but it presented a problem. With only four axles and the barely adequate wheel-slip control systems then available, GP-40s had adhesion problems. While the units were being fixed at the La Grange, IL, plant, EMD supplied GP-40 buyers with temporary units. An improved electrical system fixed the adhesion problem on the GP-40s and they were ready to roll on U.S., Canadian and Mexican railroads once again.
Add a non-powered version of this incredible locomotive to your powered Proto-Sound 2.0 equipped GP-40 for a fun-filled multi-unit lashup. Equipped with operating metal couplers and all the details found on the powered version but at half the cost make this unit an inexpensive addition to your roster.
