Ok So I know it is a EMD GP series loco and I am thinking a 7 or 9. It looks to me like the locos of the St Maries River Railroad which are 9s. There are some noticeable difference but not sure what it means. Te main difference I notice is the lack of a dynamic brake and associated fan. Now I realize that 7s came either with or without them but what about 9s? Is there any external differences between a 9 and a 7?
Greg E. has a really good explanation about the differences between a GP7 & GP9. I think it’s a chopped nose GP9.
http://www.elmassian.com/trains/motive-power-mods-aamp-tips/usat-motive-power/gp7
That is ex GN 912, a GP 9, built in 1959. It was rebuilt as a GP 5. You can tell its GN heritage by the fan shrouds on top. Those shrouds help keep the snow out of the motor. The first thought I had when I saw that pic was, “That looks like Great Northern, because of those shrouds.” It was like a rock in my shoe, I had to find out for sure. Its correct to call it either a GP 5 or GP 9(m).
Steve they aren’t the only ones using winterization hatches. I know STMA has them on all three of theirs and I believe they were that way in the Milwaukee RD days. Not sure on that one.
But I do appreciate the ID. It was a curiosity to me as I was riding the train.