GP-7 or GP-9

Hi all,

I'm looking to add a trio of early EMD GP's to pull a coal train on my layout. I think I would like to buy from either Atlas or Proto. Which do you feel would perform similarly to an Athearn RTR on the same voltage curve?

I curently run ONLY Athearn RTR locomotives because I need my locomotives to run at about the same speeds. My layout maintains a constant voltage at all times. However, it shuffles a different train onto the mainline each time a train goes around.

For example: I have a Walther's Trainline F-40ph that runs extremely slow on the same voltage that makes my Athearn equipment run at prototypical speeds. This is very disapointing because my freight train moves faster than my commuter train.

In the near future the F-40ph will be replaced with a GP-40MC bashed from an Athearn GP-40X.

Thanks for your input!
Jeff
 

brakie

Active Member
Well IMHO the Atlas GP7 is the smoothest runner between the P2K GP7/9 and the Atlas GP7.However,the P2K Geeps are better detail.
Ok.None of the above units plays well together(unless using DCC and adjusting the voltage CV).Solution in DC mode? Run like brands together for better results.
I prefer the Atlas engines over Walthers P2K line.

Of course the older Athearn GP7(if you can find 'em) even with its wide body may be another choice then the Atlas or P2K as far as running with your RTR Athearns.
 

brakie

Active Member
Buy Proto engines, they are by far the most detailed and powerful for the price.

That may be so but,some still have the crack gear issue or other running issues...:-(

And you still can't mu different types of P2K locomotives because of the "gear ratio of the month" LL used.
 

wjstix

Member
Running on DC power your best bet would be to get three Atlas GP's and use them together exclusively, they run great and in my experience Atlas locos all run very close to the same speeds. As Brakie says above, LL models seem to be very inconsistent - except maybe for the E-units.
 
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