GN's Badger and Gopher

[keeper]

Recently I seached for passenger trains in the Duluth, MN area. So I came across GN's Badger and Gopher and I thought, well these trains are not too long for the future layout.

Here are some links with a lot of info:
http://www.mtmuseum.org/roster.php?div=jsr&page=1952_gopher_badger
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gopher_%28train%29
http://www.trainlife.com/articles/733/great-northern-s-gopher-and-badger

I dismissed the 1952 version very quick because I do not want to build at least five streamlined heavyweight cars because I think nothing like that is available.
So I thought about a late sixties version of these trains trying to find available cars and to avoid kitbashing. I think I found a variety of cars which could be used but I stand corrected.

Here are my thoughts:

RPO: There is one available from Con Cor which might fit quite well.
http://www.modeltrainstuff.com/Con-Cor-N-RPO-Car-GN-p/ccr-0001-040124.htm

Coaches: GN bought some CNW coaches which were used on these trains. These cars are available from CCS - in either EB or BSB paint - but with skirts.  On all photos I found the cars are without skirts or only at the car ends. I don't know who removed the skirts, CNW when they rebuilt these cars or GN after they bought them. But I don't mind using them as they are.
There is also a 48 seat coach from Kato. According to Fred Klein's excellent website the coach is similar to the GN prototype, but has one less coach window.





One of the above sites has a reference to ex SLSF coaches which can be found on the excellent passenger car index site:
http://passcarphotos.info/Indices/GN2.htm
E.g. #1075
http://abpr2.railfan.net/abprphoto.cgi?january11/01-15-11/GN_exSLSF_Coach.jpg&redirect=1
Are coaches like that available?

Loco:
I have a LL E7.



This paint scheme would be fine for the 1952 Badger/Gopher. I read somewhere that GN started to re-paint their locos in the simplified scheme in 1962.
So the question is, were all E7 already re-painted in the late sixties?
I noticed on some photos E7 with snow plows. Did they all get one, maybe along with the new paint scheme?

So, what do you think?

Thomas

[wcfn100]

One of my favorites.  I look forward to seeing what you can do with it.

Somewhere way down the modeling list I'd like to do this train.  I believe one of the cars is at the Jackson Street Roundhouse in St Paul.  They also have a locomotive with the plow pilot that I hope to make drawings of.

There's no doubt in my mind that the GN E7s in the simplified scheme were the best looking locomotive ever.

Jason

[keeper]

Yes, I think they have one of the parlor observation cars. I might consider to kitbash this one... If so it would be the Twin Ports, rails and the sea, well lake, you know... 
Thomas

[jmlaboda]

A number of car sides are available, if you are inclined to actually build some cars...

http://n-scalevarnish.info/index/varnish/UsersGuide/GN.htm

[Puddington]

I'd second Jerry's motion; I've been using the brass car sides for my GN consist and they are excellent and are easy to work with once you've gotten over the quick learning curve....



Used on the Winnipeger......... naturally



A GN RPO that is VERY close to the one you are looking for, and i believe they have that exact one in brass sides.....

[mplsjct]

Re: E7 paint schemes

GN E7's wore at least 4 different schemes, 1) the one your model has, 2) a very similar scheme briefly after delivery, 3) the same scheme as their F units, as is shown in the middle picture on page 44 of the Prototype Modeler article, and lastly, 4) the simplified scheme, with just one orange stripe.

None of the E7's were painted in Big Sky Blue.

[wcfn100]

A number of car sides are available, if you are inclined to actually build some cars...

But core kits aren't.

Jason

[Puddington]

But core kits aren't.

Jason

Jason makes an excellent point; not to hijack the thread but does anyone have updated info on when the company that bought the AL tooling is planning to restart production ?

[sirenwerks]

So the question is, were all E7 already re-painted in the late sixties?
I noticed on some photos E7 with snow plows. Did they all get one, maybe along with the new paint scheme?

So, what do you think?

Thomas

Yes, they were all repainted into the simplified EB scheme.  Except one that was scrapped in '60.  As to when, you're best bet is to find photos online or in the numerous GN books.  Online, I could only find one photo of a unit in the earlier scheme circa mid-60s.  Snow plows?  Depends on the unit number and season.  GN did remove its passenger plows during warmer months as a practice.

[Wutter]

I believe the ex-SLSF coach is very similar to the Walthers 64 seat coach, at least the window pattern is...

[skytop35]

Jason makes an excellent point; not to hijack the thread but does anyone have updated info on when the company that bought the AL tooling is planning to restart production ?

In late June, John at San Juan Co. said the kits were almost ready. He was still having problems with one of the underbody parts sticking in the mold. They should be available shortly after that is resolved. I email him monthly for updates. Almost time to bug him again.

[Sokramiketes]

But core kits aren't.

Jason

Des Plaines Hobbies is selling off their overstock of roof/end/floor sprues for $10 each.

[nickelplate759]

"Des Plaines Hobbies is selling off their overstock of roof/end/floor sprues for $10 each."

I can't find  that on their web site - is this in-store only?

[nkalanaga]

The Con-Cor RPO is based on a GN Empire Builder prototype, so if the 45 year old detailing doesn't bother you, it is correct.

The GN also had cars very similar to the Kato cars from the late 90s, which were once sold in GN EB paint.  That would be a nice looking model but could be hard to find now.

I've used Kato's 48 seat coaches, Brass Car Sides 52 seat sides, and some scratchbuilt sides on CC bodies.  Given the choice, for simplicity, I'd take the Kato.  If you like building, the BCS sides are very nice.

My BSB cars from Centralia were awful - the paint was far too dark.  The EB cars looked fine.  If you feel like taking them apart and repainting more power to you, but if you want BSB I think I'd use the brass sides.

[sirenwerks]

Re: E7 paint schemes

GN E7's wore at least 4 different schemes, 1) the one your model has, 2) a very similar scheme briefly after delivery, 3) the same scheme as their F units, as is shown in the middle picture on page 44 of the Prototype Modeler article, and lastly, 4) the simplified scheme, with just one orange stripe.

None of the E7's were painted in Big Sky Blue.

At least five, the first as-delivered scheme featured the herald on the side just ahead of the side window, and the stripe stopped at it rather than taper on to the nose.