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Well I am watching a BN GP20 on eBay that is labeled as a Athearn SD9 but I PM'd the guy and he said it is actually the loco in the photo which is a Proto 2000 GP20 from what it appears. The model has horn hook couplers though which makes me think its a older model.
Question is, how much difference is their in the older and newer models? I really want some high hood BN models for my layout as they were some of the main power on the era and protype Im modeling. Most were actually GP9's but I have yet to find a good model of a BN GP9 Im thinking about jumping on this though because bidding is only at $10 with less then a day left. I think alot of people see the title and think its a old Athearn SD9. Should I jump on it and how much is it worth? Thanks guys.
Looks like an Athearn model to me, with the older square axle bearings and cast metal tank. It can't be an SD7/9 as they had six wheel trucks. The high fans do not look like Athearn's older models though. Perhaps a different body on an Athearn frame?
Doesn't look like a Proto model to me, looks more like a pre-Proto Life-Like engine. I don't know of any Proto engines that were released with horn hook couplers. I can't tell from the pictures if it has things like separate grab irons but the handrails look way too thick to be a Proto 2000. If you can pick it up for $20, it's worth the chance but don't get your hopes up.
The loco actually looks like a Proto 2000 GP-18,or phase three GP-9. I know this from the fact,I have a GP-18 in the gold box. Another way to tell it's a proto 2000,the high shroud fans are a dead give away. Good luck on bidding.William.
That's a GP18 from the original Proto 2000 run. They run very well and have lots of weight for pulling. This unit is old enough to be subject to the cracked axle gear problems. If you do get it, take the cover off the bottom of both trucks and check the axle gears for cracks. If you find any cracks, call Walthers to get free replacement gears. This is a problem for all early run Proto engine.
It call be converted to DCC by isolating the motor from the frame and soldering all the wires. There is no quick plug in that engine.
I see them at train shows for $40-$60 range.
While I haven't done a decoder install in quite awhile on one,I don't think it should be all that hard. The last time I did one was,maybe five or six years ago. On the first run,or gold box Proto's,you might want to use a wire harness decoder,ie DH123,or TCS decoder,or something similar. If the model is a later run GP,one that came in a blue Proto box,you may still have to use a wired decoder,or you may be able to use a decoder that plugs in a place on the circuit board in the locne website that might prove useful is www.TCSDCC.com. They usually have pictures of decoders installed in a variety of locos. William.
Im thinking about jumping on this though because bidding is only at $10 with less then a day left. I think alot of people see the title and think its a old Athearn SD9. Should I jump on it and how much is it worth? Thanks guys.
ne website that might prove useful is 
