ITC GP7 1602 - a photo on Flickriver

ITC GP7 1602

            Illinois Terminal Railroad GP7 1602 at Madison, Illinois on October 3, 1965, Kodachrome by Lou Schmitz, Chuck Zeiler collection.  Built in April 1953 (c/n 17986) as 1602, it was renumbered in 1967 to 1503 to better reflect the horsepower rating.  An interesting feature applied to the six ITC GP7's was a Pyle National 2050 10 inch short range floodlight positioned between the two exhaust stacks (to keep it defrosted in the winter) aimed upward.  The purpose was to activate the crossing flashers which were previously controlled by a Nachod system and activated by contact with a passing trolley pole.  Before the GP7's arrived, the ITC had installed photo sensors at the Nachod locations to be activated by the GP7's floodlight.  Somewhat successful, GP7's 1604 and 1605 were later filled with Pyle National twin sealed beam headlights in the same location, producing more reliable results. 

The paint scheme was designed by EMD and became known as the 'rubber band' scheme.  As delivered, the trucks, tanks and pilots were painted black, and the bell was located in the usual EMD location behind the pilot, moved during 1959 to address a freezing problem in the winter.  The ITC heralds were metal plates fashioned at ITC's shops, later replaced with decals when rust developed under the plates.  Frame stripes were added as well as diagonal stripes (chevrons) added to the ends.  The color of the stripes could be white or yellow, depending on the unit.  Units 1604 and 1605 received a Leslie S31 super typon single-chime horn (nicknamed, duck horn) applied to the long hood facing the rear to address an issue of complaints from the citizens of the towns where street running still existed. 

By 1960 another paint scheme was applied to the six GP7's, the so-called 'football' scheme designed in-house, with yellow ovals applied to the ends and green body with silver trucks and tanks, and yellow stripes on the green pilot.  Within this paint scheme was five variations.  In 1967, the GP7's were renumbered in the 1500 series, and by 1971, yet another paint scheme was applied to the GP7's as they were shopped, green body, large yellow stripes (chevrons) on the ends, and yellow frame.  Within this paint scheme were at least two variations, swapping the name and number between the hood and cab.  The GP7's were renumbered at the time of the N&W takeover in 1980 (N&W 3401-3406) but were worn out, 1501 and 1502 were scrapped (1982-83), 1503, 1504, and 1505 were traded to GE (1982-84) and 1506 was donated to the Illinois Railway Museum and  repainted to 1605, its original number.

Taken in: United States / Illinois / Madison (show map)

Taken on: October 3, 1965

Tags:

GP7

railroad

EMD

locomotive

chz « less

Sets appears in: • Illinois Terminal Company

Groups appears in: • EMD Geeps • Illinois Terminal Railroad

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