What does I got?

[Rybcon]

I have an Athearn Santa Fe GP9 PWR. So what do I really have? A cheapy? Decent? What era?


Thanks!

 

[nephthyr]

Do you have the original packaging? If so what does the box look like? Color?

 

[Rybcon]

Do you have the original packaging? If so what does the box look like? Color?

Original box. Light blue. Steam loco coming right at you. A yellow diesel in the background hedaing left to right.

Trains
Athearn
in
Miniature


Authentic - Realistic
Scaled from official blue prints

On the side:

3156

GP9 PWR
Santa Fe

 

[Cjcrescent]

I'd say late 1960's to mid 70's if it doesn't have flywheels. Mid 1970's on to early 90's if flywheels present but not brass.

If the too wide hood and narrowed walkways don't bother you, a new can motor will give you a great runner. If it didn't have flywheels, add them with the new motor.

 

[Rybcon]

Okay, I've found they were built from 1954 to 1963.

 

[Rybcon]

I'd say late 1960's to mid 70's if it doesn't have flywheels. Mid 1970's on to early 90's if flywheels present but not brass.

If the too wide hood and narrowed walkways don't bother you, a new can motor will give you a great runner. If it didn't have flywheels, add them with the new motor.

LOL. Thanks for the info. I was really wanting to know what era the prototypes were from which I've now learned was '54 to '63.

 

[Rybcon]

I'd say late 1960's to mid 70's if it doesn't have flywheels. Mid 1970's on to early 90's if flywheels present but not brass.

If the too wide hood and narrowed walkways don't bother you, a new can motor will give you a great runner. If it didn't have flywheels, add them with the new motor.

Paperwork inside the box states, "Flywheel Drive"

 

[UP2CSX]

The "PWR" designation just means that the model is powered. Athearn also sold unpowered versions, known as dummys.

Athough GP-9's were built from 1954 to 1963, all that tells is the first year they would have been seen on the rails. GP-9's have continued to toil away since then. There are probably several hundred still in service today, although none with the Santa Fe, since that railroad is now part of the Burlington Northern Santa Fe.

Since it has flywheels but the older box, it's probably an engine built in the 70's to early 80's by Athearn. Altnough they tended to be a little noisy, a tuneup and some rewiring can make them into decent running engines. The details are not as good as modern engines, but they are tough as nails and will run almost forever.

 

[Rybcon]

Yippee! Thanks for the info.

 

[nephthyr]

You can find more info on the Santa Fe's GP9s here: http://rosters.gcrossett.com/atsf/master/GP9/reference.htm

As to your engine, I'm sure the above posts covered that enough. Add a new motor and she'll run very well. While you have the hood open, it would also be a good time to add a dcc harness and decoder ,assuming you want to go dcc.