Milwaukee, Wis. - Walthers announced a new run of Life-Like PROTO N GP18 diesel locos in N Scale. These highly detailed replicas will be arriving in March 2008, ready for service and priced at just $89.98.

Although EMD had been the last major builder to introduce a hood unit diesel, its GP7 proved to be exactly what many railroads were looking for. In turn, the GP7 was replaced by the more powerful GP9, and in 1959, the 1800-horsepower GP18 took its place. All three models shared the same basic and boxy but practical styling. The two 48" radiator fans found on late production GP9s were carried over to the roof of the GP18, but the new model had metal grids applied over the air intakes, replacing the so-called chicken wire screens used on the GP7 and 9. By this time the market was beginning to move in two directions and EMD responded with two models, the GP18, and the 2000-horsepower GP20 for roads that wanted faster, stronger units for important mainline service. The GP18 remained in production until 1963 when it was replaced by the GP28 with its completely restyled 35-Line body. Today, several remain in service on shortlines and some have been rebuilt as yard slugs.

A unique addition to any N Scale roster, the latest PROTO N GP 18 features upgraded tooling, with a high, short hood and dynamic or non-dynamic brake details to match the prototypes. Under the hood modelers will welcome the revised DCC-friendly mechanism with a clip-fit circuit board. Other features include all-wheel drive and electrical pick-up, Accumate® knuckle couplers, dual machined brass flywheels, constant intensity and directional headlights, RP-25 wheels for operation on code 55 or larger rail, a heavy diecast, split-frame chassis and a five-pole skew-wound motor.