The Lionchief + GP7 has recently arrived at the retail part of the supply chain. The ones we have here at the office are feature rich and fun to run. (I bought two for myself) With their two can motors and traction tires they have the ability to "pull tree stumps out of the ground", much like their earlier steamer counterparts.
George Brown, our technical editor, is in the process of thoroughly testing two of the GP7s and will report his findings in a future issue of OGR.
My preliminary verdict is positive. I found that I had to turn the volume of the diesel sound down a bit, which is adjustable from the LionChief + handheld, to suit my ears, but that is about it. The decoration on my Burlington and Santa Fe versions is flawless. The only problems I initially had with the Geeps is because, as a veteran 3-railer, I refused to read the directions that came with the engines Gee, I hate when that happens!
The next issue of OGR will have a full page color ad for the LionChief+ GP7 which looks really neat. I am going to guess that the dealer ads for the engine should start appearing about then.
The RS 3s have been recalled for a change before they are released for sale to the public. This is fine with me, because I don't want to send something back to a manufacturer.
Ed Boyle