gm50cs-b&o
Chessie
System GP40-2 GM50...
Chessie bought GP40-2's almost
exclusively in the Chessie Era. They purchased their first units
at the same time the Chessie image was created, September 1972. The
first two Chessie units to show up were #1977 and #GM50. The #1977
came delivered in the standard Chessie yellow/blue/vermillion scheme and
GM50 came in a one of a kind all gold scheme. It was painted all
gold to commemorate General Motors 50th year anniversary. (As a side
note #1977 was numbered #1977 to commemorate the B&O's 150th anniversary
which was in 1977.) GM50 was assigned the last roster spot in the
initial GP40-2 order (#4100-4164).
Athearn's GP40-2 is a great starting
point. See my "GM50-one
of a kind" page for more details on how to build the kit.
Below are Dean Heacock pics of #GM50.
This unit was repainted in August 1984 into a standard Chessie paint scheme
and renumbered #4164. It carried that number for a few years and
was repainted into the CSX paint scheme and renumbered again to #6063.
#6063 is still out there, I have seen pics of this unit with the paint
peeling and the old gold paint showing through. This unit has been
earmarked to be given to the Smithsonian Institution apon retirement.
Below are pics of my Athearn GM50.
It has Herald King decals and lots of detail parts. No Chessie layout
can be considered complete without this flagship locomotive.
Here is a starting pic.
Here is what it looks like done.
