American Flyer Locomotive 370 Diesel Switcher

American Flyer No. 370 GP7 Road Switcher

American Flyer No. 370 GP7 Road Switcher

Catalog Description

A brand new beautifully detailed model of the famous General Motors GP-7 Road Switcher which, unveiled for the first time this year, has already broken major power records! Has intricately detailed die-cast four wheel trucks, ventilators, exhaust steaks, radiator lens, louvres, rails, steps, simulated windshield wipers, etc., and are all in accurate 3/16“ scale. Rugged Gilbert Motor has double warm drive for smooth acceleration. Finish is colorful and accurate. Number box on nose fully illuminated. Locomotive measures 10½″.

Price, $30.00. Denver and West, $31.50.

American Flyer had three basic types of diesel trucks. Diesel naming convention moved away from the steam Whyte system and focused on Axels instead of wheels. GP7 trucks with two powered axles, PA/PB trucks with simulated three powered axles (also used on the EP-5 Electric style locomotive) and the Baldwin diesel trucks had two powered axles. The F9 may have simply used the Baldwin trucks. This would make the GP7 locomotives B-B type, the PA/PB and electric locomotives C-C type and the Baldwins, B-B type also. F9’s probably B-B as well.

American Flyer Made about eight other models of GP7 Diesel Engines.

American Flyer No. 370 GP7 Road Switcher Catalog Image

A switcher is a small train engine built for short distance hauling and moving rail cars around a freight yard. Essentially, they put the train together and then a large locomotive is brought in to haul the train to its destination. Switchers are also sometimes used to make short distance runs and pick up cars on branch lines. The typical switcher is optimized for its job, being relatively low-powered but with additional traction designed to get heavy cars rolling quickly. Switching is hard work, and heavily used switch engines wear out quickly from the abuse of constant hard contacts with cars and frequent starting and stopping.

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