GN A-9  #383

 

GN A-9  #383

76 locomotives comprised Great Northern's subclass of A-9 switchers.  The 0-6-0 switchers were received in six lots from different builders between 1903 and 1912.  Some initially had 49" drivers which were later increased to 52". These little tea kettles had 200 pounds boiler pressure and a new tractive effort of 26, 850 pounds.  The A-9 were assigned to all parts of the GN system. Though supplements by the larger C class 0-8-0's they were never really replaced.  More than half received dual air pumps.  Reflecting the six groups received, the engine numbers were scattered between 1 and 399.

In 1976, Westside imported two batches of the A-9 from two different builders, one with a single air pump and the other with dual air pumps. This WSM is of the dual pump version. The model has lots of nice detail, a backhead and a great paint if you prefer medium weathering. Sharp eyed modelers will note that it currently lacks a motor and gear box.  This is because one of the plastic gears cracked in the builder's funky gear arrangement requiring a new gearbox, which has resulted in a space problem with the original motor. This will all be corrected prior to shipping or it won't be sold at all. She was a smooth runner. I bought this model new and it has had limited running. 

Original box and foam.