EMD GP7
by
Mike Gerenday
As we move up the rosters, lets discuss ARR's 1800 series GP-7L and GP-7U locomotives.
The EMD GP-7L was built for the US Army Transportation Corps in 1951 with the 16 cylinder 567B, and rode on AAR-Type A trucks. The L designates "Lightweight Frame" hence the small fuel tank. (I've never seen what size tanks were originally used, but my best guess is they were 900 gallons.) All the Army's GP-7Ls were all black with a yellow sill/steps, and had white lettering and numbers.
In 1960, the ARR purchased 12 GP-7Ls from the Army and retained their former owner's road numbers, they numbered 1821-1839, with the white lettering and numbers were replaced with yellow, and the sills were black/yellow striped, this was the earliest version of the black and yellow freight scheme. (note that some units were never purchased by the ARR and hence the staggered numbers in the roster.)
By the mid 1960s the 1800s had their noses chopped, larger fuel tanks installed, and the trucks replaced with AAR Type B road trucks from retired/scrapped ALCO RSD-1s. (1000 series) Around this time yellow stipes or a solid yellow band were painted on the noses. In the mid 1970s, the 1800s were sent out of Alaska to be rebuilt by the famed Illinois Central Railroad shops in Paducah KY, with one locomotive rebuilt by Morrison Knudsen (which was originally supposed to rebuild the 1800s) The 1800s were completely rebuilt with new cabs, major electrical and mechanical upgrades new road numbers and paint schemes. By the Paducah Shop standards, they were GP-8 locomotives, but were labeled GP-7U, with the U designating "Upgraded".
Numbered 1801-1809 eight wore the then new Bold Alaska scheme while 1801 was the only Paducah rebuild to wear the black and yellow freight scheme. 1810, the only unit rebuilt by Morrison Knudsen retained it's original cab with a cab mount number board/headlight with upgraded electrical/mechanical components. 1810 also wore the freight scheme.
By the late 1990s, the 1800s were retired from the Alaska Railroad with nearly 40 years of service. Only a few are still in existence and operate today. 1802 and 1806 were sold to a private concern in Alaska and the endeavor never materialized. The locomotives sat near the old power plant in Anchorage for years and were sadly scrapped in the winter of 2012.
Here is a link to the former GP roster section of alaskarails.org and a link on general information of the GP-7.
Page created 12/3/20 and last updated 12/4/20