GN W-1 Heavy Electric Great Northern

Great Northern's W-1 in N Scale. This locomotive is truly a BEAST! Similar to the EF-4 "Little Joe," but much larger at 101 feet in length, fifteen and a half feet tall with all axles powered (B+D+D+B) Only two examples were built in 1947, numbered 5018 and 5019. Both retired from GN after only 9 years of service. 5019 was eventually scrapped while parts of 5018 lived a few years longer as part of Union Pacific's gas turbine-electric locomotive #80. While visually similar to the EF-4, physically the W-1 is quite different. The most obvious difference is size. The W-1 is longer AND taller than the Little Joe. Other distinctions include tapered roofline along the cabs and car body, as well as slightly different nose "accessories." Axle spacing is also different, with the "D" trucks in particular having less spacing between axles from the EF-4 to run with 42" wheels, versus the Joe's 47.25". Similar to the EF-4 model offered here, Kato GG1 pantographs are a drop fit on this unit.  Please check out these awesome build photos with commentary prepared by SteamMonster.