In 1988, the Grand Trunk Western was studying its options on a low horsepower switcher locomotive to replace its aging fleet of GP9’s. It was met with a predicament - EMD’s GP15-1 program was over, and the lowest horsepower locomotive in EMD’s catalog was the 3,000hp GP59, which used a 710 prime mover. The Grand Trunk was not willing to introduce a whole new engine series to its inventory, which by that time, consisted nearly entirely of 645 prime movers. The MP15 was also not an option, as a road unit cab to accommodate a three man crew without a caboose was a requirement.

The decision was made to fully rebuild the GP9’s into “modernized” road switchers that both maintained their physical size and horsepower ratings (1,750hp), while upgrading the electrical systems, engine components, and cabs to the desired requirements set by GTW. Work would take place at the Trunk’s Battle Creek Shops, with an allotted 9 rebuild programs done per year - as to not take away personnel or shop space from being available to handle other units.

The extent of the rebuilds were drastic, and the program was much more than simply a new cab stuck on an old locomotive. Some of the major points of work included:

• Solid state electrical system with new control stand and custom fabricated electrical panels

• Updated wheel slip control modules and AC generator system

• New air and braking system

• Full body structural updates (including frame and battery box updates)

• Custom fabricated cab and nose built by VMV Paduchabuilt

• EMD 567 power assembly replaced by 645 components (for higher reliability and easier part access)

• Larger fuel tank and air reservoirs

In the 5 year run (1989-1993) of the rebuild program, the Battle Creek Shops were able to fully rebuild and commission 36 GP9R’s (#4600-4635). 34 of these were delivered in the traditional GTW blue and red-orange paint, while the final 2 (#4634, 4635) were delivered in Canadian National’s red and black “wet noodle” scheme. This was due to the CN North America corporate restructuring program in late 1991. Sometime shortly after the #4633 was delivered, it was repainted into a unique “Operation Lifesaver” paint scheme that it wore until a 2008, when it then received the CN.CA website logo scheme.

Even though these locomotives are nearing 80 years old (30 years since the rebuilds took place), they are still a common sight on their home rails and elsewhere - thanks to the quality work done by the Battle Creek shops. Canadian National has about 10 still on the roster, mostly serving in Michigan, Illinois, Wisconsin, and Minnesota. Due to their reliability and “modern” features, many shortlines throughout the United States have purchased and are still running these locomotives to this day - including, but not limited to:

• Belvidere and Delaware River Railway (BDRV)

• Motive Power Resources (MVPX)

• Wheeling & Lake Erie (WLE)

• Idaho Northern & Pacific (INPR)

• Manning Rail (MAN)

• Carolina Coastal Railway (CLNA)

• Progress Rail (PRLX)

• Indiana Box Car Corporation (ICBX)

• Boundary Trail Railway Company (BTRC)

• Georgia Northeastern (GNRR)

• Grafton and Upton (GU)

NOTE: PHOTOS SHOWN ARE NOT INDICATIVE OF PRODUCTION LEVEL PARTS. THESE ARE PROTOTYPE ENGINEERING SAMPLES.

This will be the first time a GTW GP9R of any type (plastic, resin, brass) is offered in any scale. Our model will be representative of the “as-delivered” GP9R, with options to purchase any single one road number in the as-delivered paint scheme. Each GP9R will be tailor made to its specific road number, as nearly all units had unique differences between each other. By using blueprints, field measurements (yes, we climbed around on a GP9R), and photographs, we are confident this will be the definitive GP9R scale model. Some of the features on our model will include:

• 3D printed resin construction for most major components

• Photo-etch brass and bronze parts where applicable

• All brass handrails

• Separately applied MU cables, air hoses, coupler cut bars, lift rings, etc

• Full cab interior with lighting

• Pre-installed windshield wipers, cab sunshades, and all weather windows where applicable

• Athearn Genesis GP9 chassis and drivetrain

• ESU Loksound 5 DCC sound decoder with custom speaker enclosure (dual sugar cube)

• ESU LokPilot 5 DCC decoder for silent models

• ESU PowerPack pre-installed

• Lit headlights, number boards, cab interior light, and ground lights using Motown Models Nano LED’s

• Correct louver count and location per road number

• Correct horn and antenna array per road number

• With or without long hood straps per road number

• With or without marker light surrounds per road number

• Wheel or hand ratchet brake mechanism per road number

• Wood storage/carrying case

Motown Models is a small operation without the manpower or finances of the “big guys”. We don’t have our own factory in China, and haven’t spent tens of thousands in tooling. So, you may be wondering - how the heck are we going to bring this product to the market? The answer has a few parts; limited production numbers, using existing components on the market, and a new take on the manufacturing process - additive manufacturing, or 3D printing.

First off, limited production. Being a small company, we don’t have the manpower or machines to mass produce models (yet..). Therefore, every GP9R model will be hand-crafted to your order, right here in Detroit, Michigan. The model will be available direct from the Motown Models website, and that’s it. There is no dealer network, and we are not creating any locomotives for inventory; so if you don’t order one, chances are you won’t be able to find one on a shelf somewhere. Although a final production number is not set, expect the cutoff to be about 50 units for this first run.

Second, using existing components. You may have read above; “Athearn Genesis chassis and drivetrain". Yes, that’s right - we’re using another manufacturer’s parts on this model. Tying in to the fact that we are a small company, we don’t have the time or resources to develop a whole drivetrain and produce it - let alone test it rigorously enough to make sure it meets our high standards. Using an existing drivetrain allows us to focus on other components and facets. and get the locomotive out faster to our customers. One day when we’re nipping at the heels of the likes of ScaleTrains and Rapido, maybe we can make 100% of the components ourselves. But cut us some slack - this is our first ever model!

Finally, additive manufacturing, or 3D printing. Here’s the reality of model train manufacturing - it’s expensive. Tooling ALONE for a high quality HO locomotive is oftentimes near the $100,000 mark. Thankfully, a new process has come to take the hobby (and other industries) by storm - 3D printing. High end printing machines have been proving that making miniatures with high quality finishes and tight tolerances is a possibility for both industries large and small. With years of 3D printing experience, high-end machines, proven processes, and custom resin blends, we are confident that our parts can rival that of injection molded components - albeit on a small manufacturing scale.

As per above, we will be offering the GP9R in as-delivered guise. This will include the standard GTW colors, along with the 4634 and 4635 in CN black and red. The 4633 is special in that is received one-off “Operation Lifesaver” scheme, which will also be available. We do realize that “modernized” GP9R’s with ditch lights, air conditioners, and other components will be desired; these will be released after the first run of as-delivered units. Being a new, small company, we want to focus on one thing at a time, and not be too overwhelmed. We do plan on offering modernized GP9R’s along with different paint schemes in the future! Did we mention over a dozen shortlines in the US alone owned GP9R’s at some point?!?

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Future updates on production schedule, painted samples, model availability, pricing, and other information can be found on the Motown Models Facebook Page, Instagram, and by signing up for the email list found below. We look forward to bringing this unique model to the market!