Opening the box
If I were ultra enthusiastic about the Lionel FEF (Classic Toy Trains, September 2008), the presentation of Lionel’s new Geep has counter-balanced it.
The design team at Lionel has finally produced its own scale-detailed version of this icon of the steam-to-diesel transition years. It looks better than previous Lionel Geeps, I can’t help but think the company could have done better. I had the same feeling when the FT came out. Nice, but not exactly a model that was going to set the hobby world on fire.
The O gauge Geep has the right amount of cast-in detail, the obligatory lift rings, and tread on the walkways, but somehow the whole thing looked average. Nothing, at least, that excited me. It was just a pretty average, pretty typical modern product.
The pilot seemed to be a bit under-detailed. No tread or drain holes on the steps, for example. There are simulated uncoupler arms as well as brake and multiple-unit lines. The deck has traction tread and a drawbridge. A safety chain crosses the bridge gap.
Both ends of the carbody have add-on grab irons, illuminated number boards, marker lights, and directional lighting. The sides of the shell have a fair amount of cast-in door, latch, and hinge detail, plus side screens that are cast-in.
The top of the shell has sand hatches on both ends, 16 add-on lift rings, and see-through fan screens. There are two exhaust stacks on either side of the bell.
Painting and decoration of the shell were first rate. The complex Great Northern scheme was well executed, with no blurring and extremely sharp edges where colors intersect. The model has an EMD builder’s plate, and you’ll find some nice paint accents for the fuel cap and level gauge frame.
On the test track
Testing the Geep was off to a good start – once we re-loaded the Legacy system software in the Command base for the 10th or 12th time. Lionel has announced a recall of early production Legacy controllers like ours, and memory retention is one area where we hope to see improvement.
The model has four power pickup rollers, two on each truck that are 3 inches apart, and the truck separation is 4¾ inches. Each truck has two rubber traction tires, and coil couplers are mounted on each pilot.
The compartment for the backup battery is on the end of the long hood and is cleverly held in place magnetically. All the control switches are on the bottom of the stamped-steel frame.
The locomotive’s start direction is long hood forward, prototypical for Great Northern Geeps.
Our low-speed average was 1.45 scale miles per hour (possibly the lowest Lionel speed I’ve ever timed), and the high-speed average was 83.7 scale miles per hour.
Drawbar pull was 2 pounds, 11 ounces.
As ho-hum as I might have thought the appearance of the model was, the real show stopper (as in stopping the show for applause) was the sound suite. The prime mover sounds are nothing less than spectacular. When the locomotive was moving slowly, there was an utterly outstanding squeak that sounded like something needed to be oiled, or perhaps just a 60-year old diesel creaking along.
The new Lionel GP7 is hardly a milestone locomotive, but it does run well and sounds terrific. Think of this as kin to the nos. 2380 GP9s from 1996 – they provided a basic, affordable ($299) way for an operator to get into TrainMaster Command Control with RailSounds. Priced at $399.99, this is a good way to stick a toe in the water of enhanced TrainMaster/Legacy control.
Even if you don’t like the qualities Legacy offers, the sounds the GP7 musters will still knock your socks off.
Price: $399.99 (no. 28563), $169.95 (no. 28564 unpowered)
Features: Can-style motors, O-31 operation, Lionel Legacy and RailSounds systems, coil couplers
Staff comments:The muse just didn’t strike me with this product. Great sounds, but I was expecting more detail pizzazz. – Bob This Geep shows how far we have come from similar O gauge models of the postwar era. – Roger
I have the NYC GP7 and it is one of my favorites. Some issues with the smoke setup, but other than that it runs and sounds great!
I have the Union Pacific version and I have nothing but good things to say. The slow spped and sounds are especially good. The variety of lighting options are nice as well.
They should have reviewed the UP version which is my favorite Legacy GP-7!
It does indeed appear that Lionel used the GP7 as a "low" cost introduction into Legacy, but it was the specific NYC GP7, selling at $339 that was the mechanism that initiated the effort. In my opinion, the NYC 5628 is a superb model that equals most scale model GP7 units by any manufacturer, and is one of the best diesels, if not the best, by Lionel. I couldn't help but compare this review to the one made on the Lionel GP30 (Feb 2004 CCT). That review was extremely complementary with words like "remarkable level of detail", "model takes a step beyond expectations", "number boards really stand out", "nomenclature items…are remarkable in their clarity". I have both a NYC GP30 and a NYC GP7 and if the GP30 is "remarkable", than the GP7 is extraordinary! Plus, I agree, the sound system and cruise control is second to none!
I'm a Milwaukee Road modeler and really like my MTH Premier GP-9 engines. I would have preferred them not to install crew members in the dummy engine, but the level of detail is greater than what I observed on the Lionel engine. I also have an MTH RailKing engine in UP colors and the level of detail is similar to the Lionel engine. With that said, I prefer the sound of the Lionel engine. I would buy one in Milwaukee Road orange and black for sure!
I agree with the reviewer. The Lionel Geep looked like an MTH Railking engine. Definitely not like the Premier Geeps. It did sound nice, though.
Regardless of what the writer says, Lionel has finally got this GP7 right.30 years late, perhaps but finally the pilots don't have a 3' scale gap between the top of them and the engine deck like they have since 1970.
I can't wait until they come out with a new Milwaukee Road or C&NW.
Lionel has finally got this NYC Geep right, yes details are not as good as they could be! It runs great, why the switches are not on top. Sound is great, not sure about the horn?
We bought 2 ot the new Lionel NYC GP7s to double head. For the price $280 each they can't be beat, great sound and performance.
This was the engine of my youth! My Dad was a GN Station agent and I have many happy memories of seeing these come through town and stop at the depot! It was a must have for me! I think Lionel nailed it!