A challenge, of sorts

[SMMDigital]

We've got some people here that are really good at repaints. Anyone up to making one of these?

2007-0524-25.jpg

I think that this is a GP7, and yes, it rides on Alco trucks, but the differences would be negligible. This was not my first choice of locomotives to run the upcoming TVRR add-on, but the steamer I want to use won't fit on the turntable!

[SCLJim]

Nice. Is that unit from the line that goes by the Chickamauga battlefield?

[SMMDigital]

Yes, occasionally that unit, as well as 610, runs specials from the TVRR down to Chickamauga via the Chattooga and Chickamauga RR. When the bridge near Trion is repaired, they will be running all the way to the turntable at Summerville again.

[bsrrco]

Those are not Alco trucks, they are ARR switcher trucks These units originally had the GP7L designation which stands for GP7 light. In addition to the switcher trucks they had a smaller fuel tank & a lighter frame for operating over lighter rail. Originally the only railroads that owned these were the U.S. army & the N.C. & StL. Some of the army units were turned over to TVA. I am not sure wheather the TVRM unit went to TVA but here it is in it's original army paint.

http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.p ... 284&nseq=0

& here is one of the NCstl units after the L&N merger http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPi ... id=1966453
The L&N put standard blomberg trucks under them as soon as they could for more versatility.

[SMMDigital]

Thanks for the history and the photos. I do remember the Conductor saying that this was a former Army unit, but there was no mention of the TVA. More than likely that would be the case though.

As far as the trucks, i was thinking of the Alco unit that they also have in service there.