Hello Group,
I am very happy to come aboard. I was born in Clinton Mo next to the Second street crossing of the Frisco and MKT lines. I got the train bug before I could walk. In 1968, we moved to Hollister Mo near the MP White River Division. I started out with Lionel O scale at age 3. I got my first HO scale trains at age 7, from a big train shop in Independence MO. don’t know if that store is still around, I just remember looking up at the giant layout they had behind glass. (does anyone else remember that store, I think it was on Truman road or old Hwy 50.)

When I was age 7, I got my first cab ride in a MOPAC GP7 # 305, in a ride from Hollister MO to Branson MO. The train crew would stop and have lunch at the local cafe were my mom was a waitress, I would always wave at the train when they rolled through town. one day while at lunch the engineer offer me a cab ride. It was soooo cool! it was a short ride but we crossed the lake and blew the horn. my parents followed and met us at the Branson depot.
Then some time later the train engineer came through and stopped for lunch as usual, and he gave me the builders plate from the engine, He said it “Fell off” and that I could have it, I have cherished it all my life.

I have learned (from MPHS thank you) the engine was #305 which was also the number written on the back in pencil. and that it was previously # 4152, (eagle paint) and later # 1756 which I assume was when it was updated to a GP7u.

I grew up in Missouri and have lived in Clinton, Windsor, Independence, Lee’s Summit, Hollister, Branson and Columbia, I model in HO scale, the MP White River Division, and the Frisco High Line, both from KC to Memphis on my layout. and include interchanges with Katy, KSC, and CRIP. I also model in G scale in the back yard. I now live in New Mexico where we get 325 days a year of blue sky.

My goal is to model #305 circa 1970 in both HO and G scale for my layouts. This is where I hope to connect with folks on the forum for details about number 305.
I do not have any photos of 305, but I have found other photos of 304, 308, 322. two features that I think my have been on 305 was torpedo air tanks on the roof and a steam generator, as they are on the other locos. The other key feature and question I have is when was #305 updated to a GP7u with a “Chop nose” was the updated completed before or after 1970? I remember riding and looking out the engineers side window but do not recall if it was already a chop nose at that point. ( I wonder if the date I rode was during the time the shop update was when the build plate “fell off”?)

I am looking for a good model of a HO Scale GP7 or depending on the date when the GP7u was completed on the MP, USA trains has the GP7 in g scale, but I would need to have it stripped and repainted in jenks blue with decals.

I know Athearn is releasing 4 HO models in the fall; Athearn #G64288 GP7 w/DCC & Sound, MP #165. Athearn #G64289 GP7 w/DCC & Sound, MP #168, Athearn #G64290 GP7 w/DCC & Sound, MP #1600, and Athearn #G64291 GP7 w/DCC & Sound, MP #1603 I am wondering which of these may be a close match to # 305? these each have the high nose, and no torpedo air tanks.
Any suggestions or help would be appreciated.

Does anyone know where i can find an appropriate or close model of 4152 or 305 or 1756?
Thanks
Danny Maxwell
modeling MO RRs in the Southwest, on the West Mesa and Tumbleweed Garden Railroad. [email protected]