The GP30 was designated a second generation unit because of advances in technology that had been incorporated into this model. The designation had nothing to do with trade-ins. However, to set the record straight on FT trade-ins, the Milwaukee Road, Boston & Maine, and Minneapolis & St. Louis all traded-in their entire rosters of FTs on GP9s.

Even though I model late 70's thru early 80's I checked the GP30's from that period and some had been modified already - receiving the McCarty re-railers in late 1979. Mars went out of business in 1977 (again from memory) so if the nose signal lights went …

Enter Scale Trains GP30 in 2024, and they have taken the detail up a notch with much improved lighting, a wee bit crisper lettering on the body, a good sound system, and the simplest yet most effective detail added, that of rust colored wheels (save for the tread).

In this image taken by the late Robert (Bob) Malinowski, we see 50% of the Great Western' GP30 roster, and with them came the last new CGW paint scheme, replacing the "maroon dip" that had been introduced in 1954. Their famous "Lucky Strike" herald adorned the cab sides, and the unit number placed below that on the battery box doors.

As for GP30s vs GP30Ms… for the most part there were no external differences between them. However, most of the rebuilt GP30Ms did receive the trade mark Chessie slotted battery box door.

Reading Railroad EMD GP30 #5513 was the first production GP30. The GP30 was EMD's first second generation diesel locomotive. The 5513 is shown here in June 1987 during the Souderton Railroad Days celebration on the former Reading's Bethlehem Branch. The unit is owned by the Reading Company Technica

The GP30's were the first B&O units delivered in the then new "Sunburst" scheme. No doubt in my mind they didn't have time to get the number of the unit on the cab sides, for whatever reason. Five will get you ten it was in the numberboards, though.

Being as GP30's have been in service pushing 40+ years, it is very likely that they have been swapped out numerous times for different horns and most likely do not carry their original horn. If you provide either a locomotive picture or a specific railroad and engine number, there are many horn experts here who I'm sure could ID the horn for you.

1. BNSF rebuilt EMD GP39-2 2773 built April 1975 as ATSF GP39-2 3655 and seen east of N. London, IA June 5, 2004. Bill Kuba photo, Iowa Chapter NRHS Collection 2. BNSF rebuilt EMD GP39-3 2528 built Feb. 1963 as ATSF GP30 1250 and seen in Pacific, IA May 14, 2002. Bill Kuba p

Re: Lifelike Proto2000 GP30 DCC install question. Author: fbe The brass rivet should work though I would try to bleed some solder over to the steel so bimetalic corrosion doesn't impede current flow.