I bought one at a local Swap meet last weekend, and the apparently original box shows it as a 6-18857 2397 Union Pacific GP-9. Lionel has typically called these models without DB blisters GP-7's and those with DB blisters GP-9's, even though that is not the real difference between the real locomotives.
The one I bought does not have the DB blisters, what Lionel would normally call a GP-7, the box is labeled GP-9 with the item #6-18857. The Little bit of research that I have been able to do, shows every example of this locomotive so far to be the GP-9 W/DB Blisters. Mine has TMCC,Strobe light and is numbered 2397, as all the others are, and it does appear to be factory painted, not repainted.
Did Lionel produce many with (their definition) GP-7 shells? Was this a factory mistake? anyone have any idea of what I found. It is in Excellent cond. with no scratches and blemishes, and light use apparent on the wheels and rollers, it runs Great, including all TMCC functions, so I feel I got a Great deal for $100.00 Just a bit curious about the differences between the Lionel description, and what I actually got.
Anybody know more about this model than I do?
Thanks,
Doug
