RE: (erielack) GP7 Review

["Tupaczewski, Paul R (Paul)" <paultup_@_lucent.com>]

> Will be there be a review of Atlas' GP7s when they come out 
> in the new road 
> names?  I've already got an Athearn GP7 done up as DL&W #953 
> in addition to 
> my EL 1279 and 1281.

Here's my review, since I saw the Atlas pre-production model at the ELHS
Eastern Region Spring Meet:

If you're familiar with the first run of Atlas' GP7 diesels, you'll know
what to expect here. The big changes that I could spot are:

* The underframe is still cast, but mercifully Atlas has removed the cast-on
MU hoses and replaced them with separate plastic castings. Nice!
* There is now a crew in the cab, and they're completely painted
* All the grab irons on the hood ends have been removed and replaced with
well-formed wire grabs, and they make a huge difference in the quality of
the model. Very nice!

The DL&W lettering is flawless, and Atlas has gone so far as to paint the
handrail running along the long hood yellow (it looks like this is being
done by hand, quite an impressive task!)

	- Paul

P.S. Jay Held reminded me of something at the meet that I forgot to mention.
Funaro and Camerlengo's pre-production resin Erie 40' express/milk car
(inset door) was shown, and the model is a beauty. Based on this model, it
can't be too far away from production...

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