familiar with the relatively rare prototype, GP16s are generally
remanufactured from worn out GP7s that have been stripped
and completely refurbished with new and/or rebuilt electrical
components including all wiring, generators and truck motors;
cabs are rebuilt with new windows, interiors and controls;
prime movers are sent to engine specialists that rebuilt them
and add the latest fuel efficiency devices; and the exterior is
stripped, dents are pounded out and rusted areas replaced.
Within a relatively short period of three months or so, a fresh
GP16 emerges at about half the cost of buying a new locomo-
tive. Exterior details such as the location of various cabinets
and fans sometimes varied from one GP16 to the next, which
will present an interesting challenge to prototype modelers.
InterMountain notes that both DC and DCC versions of the
newly-tooled HO model will be offered. A list of about 24 rail-
roads that have owned GP16s are listed on InterMountain’s
web site, but the road names for the initial release are not yet
identified. Pricing and arrival dates are also pending.
InterMountain will
release another pro-
duction run of the
ever-popular F3 loco-
motive in late spring.
Both A and B units of the HO scale diesel will be offered in six
new paint schemes plus a rerun of two previously issued road
names. New road names will be Nashville, Chattanooga & St.
Louis (blue and gray); Great Northern (orange scheme); Great
Northern (two-tone green); Southern Railway (black); Chicago
Great Western (maroon); and Lackawanna (freight scheme).
The reruns will be for Santa Fe warbonnet, and Union Pacific
(above). DC versions of the ready-to-run locomotives will be
priced at $119.95 for the A units and $109.95 for B units. A
February News column - 13
MRH-Feb 2013
