The prototype. In just under seven years, EMD built 368 GP15s. Like most locomotives, there were variations. The first produced was the GP15-1, which was manufactured through March 1982. This is the prototype Walthers based its model on, and its dimensions closely match drawings published in the January 1990 Model Railroader.
Other variations include the GP15AC and GP15T. For more on these units, read Andy Sperandeo’s article “The GP15-1: EMD’s down-sized road switcher” in the January 1990 issue of MR.
The shell. Our sample is decorated in Burlington Northern’s white-face scheme. The paint is smooth and even, the color-separation lines are crisp, and the white is opaque.
The plastic body shell has sharp louver detail but lacks lift rings and grab irons. Molded drill-starter dimples are provided for the latter. The sand-filler hatches, which should be located on the nose and rear of the hood, are omitted.
The pilot has molded dimples for the m.u. hoses, train line, and uncoupling lever. A press-fit beam is located on the front and rear pilots. It can be replaced with the supplied plastic snow plows.
Walthers used acetal plastic handrails on its GP15-1, which are molded in prototypical colors. The vertical handrails by the steps should be white on the BN unit, which is an easy fix for the modeler.
Under the shell. To separate the shell from the die-cast metal chassis, I had to remove the front and rear draft-gear boxes and four screws (one each side of each box). Use care when removing the shell, as the wires that run from the printed-circuit (PC) board to the light-emitting diode headlight are taped to the cab roof.
The model uses a five-pole skew-wound motor with dual brass fly-wheels. Printed-circuit boards are screw-mounted above the motor and rear truck. The GP15-1 is designed for use on direct-current layouts, but the PC board above the motor has provisions for a nine-pin Digital Command Control (DCC) decoder.
The Proto 1000 from Walthers GP15-1 gives the purchaser options. If you operate a DC layout and can live without the small details, this model is ready to go straight from the box. If your model railroad uses DCC or you enjoy adding super detail parts to locomotives, this four-axle road switcher is the starting point for a fun weekend project.
The model uses a five-pole skew-wound motor with dual brass fly-wheels. Printed-circuit boards are screw-mounted above the motor and rear truck. The GP15-1 is designed for use on direct-current layouts, but the PC board above the motor has provisions for a nine-pin Digital Command Control (DCC) decoder.
The Proto 1000 from Walthers GP15-1 gives the purchaser options. If you operate a DC layout and can live without the small details, this model is ready to go straight from the box. If your model railroad uses DCC or you enjoy adding super detail parts to locomotives, this four-axle road switcher is the starting point for a fun weekend project.
Price: $109.98
Manufacturer
Wm. K. Walthers Inc.
P.O. Box 3039
Milwaukee, WI 53201
www.walthers.com
Era: 1976 to present
Road names (two road numbers each): Burlington Northern, BNSF Ry. (Heritage I and BN patch), California Northern, Chicago & North Western, Conrail (“Quality” slogan), CSX (dark blue), Norfolk Southern, and Union Pacific (yard scheme).
Undecorated also available.
Features
All-wheel drive and electrical pickup
Blackened metal RP-25 contour metal wheelsets, in gauge
Constant directional lighting
Minimum radius: 18″
Proto-Max metal magnetic knuckle couplers, mounted at correct height
Weight: 12.6 ounces
