Authentic Sounds (Sound Equipped Units Only)
and Prototypical Operation
Many Separately Applied Details
See-Through Mesh and Fan Grills
Constant Intensity Directional Lighting
Lighted Number Boards
Factory Installed Painted Engineer Figures
Locomotive Composition: ABS with Die Cast
Chassis
A-Unit Length: 8.6"
Motor Type: 5-Pole Can with Skewed Armature
& Dual Fly Wheels
Couplers: (2) Operating Kadee
Compatible
Compatible Tracks: Code 70, 83, 100 Rail
Recommended Minimum Radius: 18"
"DCC & Sound
Upgradeable" Units denoted as DCC & Sound
Upgradeable are units that are not sound equipped and function only in
DC. Modelers may choose to purchase an optional Sound & DCC upgrade
kit, specifically tailored to the prototype which will add DCC and sound
functionality. Upgrade kit works only for PCM models with PCM
motherboards.
Introduced in February 1952 and produced
through November 1953, the SD7 was the 1500HP six axle big brother to the GP7.
Riding on six axle, three-motor trucks, they were designed to offer more
starting tractive effort in "road" service than the GP7. EMD's
introduction of an A1A freight locomotive led them to design the SD7 from the
ground up. In appearance, they are very similar to the GP7 only with a longer
hood. The radiators are grouped together at the end of the long hood and not
separated as was seen on the GP7. The grill assembly protrudes from the side of
the hood whereas with the GP7 the grills are fit flush with the hood.
As built, the SD7 very closely resembles the
SD9 with the visual spotting features being the boarding steps and a variation
of the classification lights being the most noticeable differences. The SD7 (for
Special Duty) was a massive locomotive at 60 feet 8? inches from coupler to
coupler and weighing 360,000 pounds. It was powered by the same reliable 1500HP
567B V-16 two-cycle diesel engine as the GP7 and F7. With a maximum speed range
between 55 and 89 miles per hour, depending on the gearing ratio selected, and a
tractive force of 90,000 pounds, the SD series was here to stay. With the SD7,
EMD introduced the "lightweight" Flexicoil truck which enabled these
locomotives to be used on branchlines as well as for road service. These trucks
were so smooth that the SD7 was compared to "riding in a luxury car."
With the advent of 1954, EMD made a
conservative marketing push against the competition with the announcement of
their "Nine Line" series. This consisted of the introduction of new
locomotive model numbers, the SW9/1200, the F9A/B, the GP9, and the SD9.
