GP9 for 1:8 Scale Trains

In 1954, EMD released their GP9 as an advancement of their very popular GP7. 70 years later, Pacific Design Shops has faithfully recreated the model in 1:8 scale for all to enjoy.

Our GP9 kit offer live steam hobbyists the opportunity to build a highly detailed locomotive, with powerful performance, at an affortable price. Please see the options and pricing below.

All production spots for the first batch have been filled!!!

One more production batch will be run in 2025, this will be our last production run for this engine.

No payment is required to reserve a spot at this time; a 50% deposit will be required once the engine components are ordered sometime in spring of 2025.

Please note, pricing may be subject to change due to outside factors.

GP9 Engine Specs

  • Scale: ~1.55″
  • Track Gauge: 7½” or 7¼”
  • Length: 85″ over Pilot Steps; 89″ over Couplers
  • Width: 16″
  • Height: 23″
  • Weight: ~800 lbs
  • Designed Voltage: 24V
  • Batteries: (4) 6V US-125
  • Long Hood: 9.3″ wide x  14″ tall
  • Cab: 15.8″ wide x 10″ long x ~11.7″ tall on side

Pricing below does not include shipping; products will require picking up in Millwaukee, WI area or shipping via freight.

We estimate the first batch of units to be available before the end of 2024.

Orders are taken manually, please send order via email.

Payment required will be 50% after confirmation of order; 50% when kits are complete and ready to ship. Acceptable payments are cash, check, or credit card (+3%).

Should you need to cancel the order after payment was received, a refund will be issused minus a $200 Cancellation Fee.

GP9 Kit Pricing Overview

(Scroll down for more details and descriptions)

GP9 Frame Kit: $1,500*

GP9 Body Kit: $1,600*

GP9 Detail Parts: $1,400*

*GP9 Bundle $3,600 Order Frame, Body and Detail Kit together, save $900!!!

Pike River Shops Blomberg Truck, Rolling Kit: $2,000

Drive Train Components: $3,000

 

Future Options:

  • Electrical Wireless System

  • Dynamic Brake Blister

  • Roof Mounted Air Tanks

  • Low Nose

  • “B” Unit

GP9 Frame Kit: $1,500

Our main frame design utilizes ¼” steel, laser cut and tabbed together to align all the parts without the needs for jigs, fixtures or measuing devices. The resulting structure mimics a ~2″ x 6″ x ¼” wall steel tubing down the entire length for strength and to prevent against bending or twisting during fabrication. In addition, the center of the frame is open to route wires, air lines, and other items safely out of harms way. The top sub deck allows attachment of the body and handrails for easy removel during assembly and future maintance. The associated detail parts are all bent and tabbed together allowing bolting to the frame in pre-spotted holes.

GP9 Frame Kit includes:

  • ¼” Steel Main Frame Pieces
  • Tab and Slot Construction
  • All Holes Spot Drilled
  • ¼” Steel End Skid Plates
  • 12 Gauge Steel Sub Frame & Sides
  • (2) Coupler Pockets
  • (2) Pilot Detail Kits
  • (4) Side Steps Kits
  • Standard Fuel Tank (Extended Tank optional)
  • Cosmetic Underframe Air Tank Kit
  • Bolster Pins
  • Coupler Pins
  • Weld Nuts and Bolts

GP9 Body Kit: $1,600

The most important feature of a GP9 are the exterior curves on the body. We have faithfully recreated these bends using 14 gauge steel for the entire body that doesn’t require any additional bending or modifying. All parts tab together or align with clamps when welding and all the holes and slots for the detail parts are already cut into the sides and roof. Included are the doors which have louvered stamped into them for a GP9 Phase II model, roof hatches w/ precut fans blades, side radiator intakes w/ mesh, and exhaust stacks.

GP9 Body Kit includes:

  • 14 Gauge Cut and Formed Body Parts
  • Tab and Slot Construction
  • Prototypically Accurate Radiused Corners
  • All Holes & Cutouts Laser Cut
  • Standard Cab w/ Rolled Metal Roof
  • (4) Side Radiator Intake Kits w/ Mesh
  • Cosmetic Side Doors
  • Roof Hatches w/ Integral Cosmetic Fan Blades
  • (2) Engine Exhaust

GP9 Detail Parts: $1,400

We worked closely with Precision Steel Car and Pike River Shops to utilize all their great detail parts for this engine. In addition, we have created over a dozen new metal detail parts to fill in the gaps needed to complete a GP9. The only plastic parts on this engine are the number boards which snap into the openings and allow a LED board to snap into the rear. In addition, the handrails come pre-formed and bent, just paint and install on the engine.

GP9 Detail Parts includes:

  • (2) Accucraft Couplers
  • (4) EMD 36” Fan Castings
  • (58) EMD Door Latch Castings
  • (87) Cosmetic Door Hinges
  • (28) EMD Handrail Stanchions, Custom
  • Bent & Formed 3/16” Handrails
  • (6) EMD Lift Ring Castings
  • (4) MU Hose Assembly w/ Castings
  • (2) MU Receptacle Casting
  • (1) Handbrake Assembly
  • (8) Cut Lever Castings
  • (13) Grabirons, Style B, 2.25”
  • (4) EMD Classification Lights
  • (2) Pyle National Dual Beam Headlight w/ LED’s
  • (4) Poling Pocket Castings
  • (2) EMD Fuel Fill Casting
  • (4) Number Board Holder w/ LED’s
  • Various Mounting Hardware (Glue not included)

GP9 Bundle: $3,600

Order the Frame, Body and Detail parts all together and save $900!!!

Rolling Blomberg Truck Kit: $2,000

Pike River Shops offers a fanstatic Blomberg Truck that is necessary feature on a GP9. We chose their products to design around due to the high level of detail and quality and the robustness of their design. All the major components are steel which can be welded together with the ease of an included jig. Brass and steel detail parts round out this kit. Addtional options are available from them for brake kits.

Rolling Blomberg Truck Kit:

  • (4) Side Frame Castings
  • (8) Journal Box Castings
  • (4) Spring Support Castings
  • (4) Drop End Castings
  • (2) Bolsters (Drilled)
  • Laser Cut Leaf Springs, Strap & Retainers
  • Coil Springs & Hardware
  • (4) Axles
  • (8) 5” Wheels
  • (8) Bearings
  • (8) Nuts
  • Keystock

Drive Train: $3,000

We have done extensive research and development on the drive system to ensure this engine performs as well as it looks. By utilizing a large 8HP center drive motor, the resulting performance is superior to any axle hung motors on the market. In addition, we worked with Pike River Shops to improve the drive system on the trucks. By going to a Compact Tol-O-Matic gearbox mounted directly to the truck bolster instead of Float-A-Shafts on the axles, the overall system is more affortable, can handle large input torque due to the ball bearings in the gearbox, easier to maintain and service and allows more flexibility in the trucks.

Drive Train includes:

  • MotEnergy ME0708 Motor
  • Custom Motor Bracket
  • Main 8M-30 Timing Belt & Pulleys (machined)
  • Mounted Ball Bearing (jackshaft)
  • Tol-O-Matic Compact Gear Box
  • #35 Sprockets, Chain & Connecting Links for Trucks
  • 5/8” & ¾” U-Joints
  • Spline Shafting & Collar for Flexible Joints
  • 5/8” & ¾” Shafting
  • All Keystock, Coiled Spring Pins & Hardware

GP9 Optional Upgrades: $TBD

EMD sold their GP9 with many options, and we plan to offer these options as well as their appearance is key to how some railroads finished their engines. Development on these options is 90% complete, but custom tooling and jigs as well as new castings are required for these options. Pricing for these options will be released in Q1 of 2025. Note these options require the purchase of the base kits.

GP9 Optional Upgrades:

  • Dynamic Brake Blister w/ Fan
  • Roof Mounted Air Tanks w/ Full length Fuel Tank
  • Low Nose or Chop Nose (Based off Southern Pacific)
  • Booster Unit (“B” Unit)

GP9 Instructions

We understand to build a kit, you need good instructions. We don’t agree with supplying the customer with a pile of parts and having them figure it out. Our GP9 instructions are in process and will be complete when the kits ship. Please see our Instructions page for examples on our other products. Our GP9 kits will have the same level of detail on a larger scale to reflect how the parts go together.