Qustion for Hot Water.

I have no idea. I suggest you contact the GN Historical Society, or maybe visit their site. It might have had something to do with the other items specified on the first order.

I'm sure that a GN expert, such as GNNPNUT, would know the answer, what with all the books on GN he owns.

Had to "hit the books" on this one, as I didn't even recall that GN had any SD9s equipped with DB.  Found the answer in "Great Northern Color Pictorial, Volume 1" by Joseph W. Shine.  To quote:

"Great Northern purchased a pair of SD9s equipped with dynamic brakes for assignment to the co-operated (with Southern Pacific) Oregon, California & Eastern out of Klamath Falls, Oregon.  GN SD9s 598 and 599 were usually mated with a dynamic brake equipped GP9 when they worked the OC&E.  When it was SP's turn to operate the OC^E, GN usually kept their 598 and 699 close to Klamath Falls. "

According to "Railroad History 143", there were only two of the SD9s equipped with DB, 598 and 599, as indicated above.  Built in April, 1958.  These two locomotives became BN 6125 and 6126.

Here is a photo of 598 at Klamath Falls in 1964 in the simplified EB scheme from RailroadPictures.net: 

Regards,

Jerry

Jerry

Thanks. You answered the why they had DB as it was due to were they were to be assigned.  Also" GN SD9s 598 and 599 were usually mated with a dynamic brake equipped GP9 when they worked the OC&E". In my posting https://ogrforum.com/t...73#39441156639576873

I think it was part 2-4 that 978 with DB GP9 is caught on tape coming out of the tunnel. I own the MTH GN 978 but it came without DB which would of been correct if the road number was 977. So my option is to renumber or find a DB. The big thing was why only two, But assignment would explain the why. What I am been looking for so far without success are pics of FA1#310 A/C with FB1 #310B and its history other than in the early 60s it went to Spokane.at least what I have been able to dig up. Since my main focus is GN/CB&Q I am slowly building my rosters. I not a rivet counter but would but would like to have engines to road numbers in the right configuration to include Waycars. GN like CB&Q is another one I will have to kitbash to have the correct waycars other than the early EVs

Once again thanks

Doug

 "The big thing was why only two"

   Yeah the pacific northwest is not flat, there's mountains all over the area. In contrast, serving a similar topography  the SP had over a thousand GP 9's and only three or four did not have dynamic brakes( I heard once why but can't recall now, probably something similar about assignment to a local flat area passenger train)...DaveB

Thanks, Jerry, for finding out and reporting the somewhat surprising reason for the four dynamic braking-equipped SD9's.

I never would have guessed this one.  Your personal record is awarded ten merits for superior knowledge of Great Northern practices.

At first glance, I thought this unit was an early phase 1 SD9, but a closer look at the railing stanchions revealed a phase 2 machine at the earliest.  Check the short hood  tac-ladder on the port side.  Not entirely sure when, in SD9 production,...that this became an option rather than standard.   Walthers/Proto has done the non DB version of this machine in HO scale...quite effectively.