Originally published October 19, 2020 on T Gauge Junction

The EMD GP8 from TGauge.com comes in green or black and is built on the 35.5mm motorized chassis, equipped with buckeye couplers. It includes a single long 7.5mm coupler, which feels a bit fragile, but overall the model has a solid, sturdy design. At this scale, you might worry about breaking small parts, but it’s not flimsy when you handle it, though I’m still slightly concerned about the coupler’s durability.

Dimensions:

• Length: 40mm
• Width: 8.5mm
• Height: 11.5mm
• Weight: 2.48g

Note: At 8.5mm wide, it’s about 1–2mm wider than most other T Gauge rolling stock, so keep that in mind when designing your layout.

How Prototypical Is It? In 1:450 scale, true prototypical accuracy is extremely difficult. Like N and Z scale, compromises are made but in T Gauge, they’re just more pronounced. For example, TGauge.com’s ICE 3 set looks quite accurate because it doesn’t require visible details like cooling fans, handrails, or steps. Locomotives, on the other hand, are far more complex in appearance.

The GP8 designation itself is interesting, it’s not a GP7 or GP9, which are more commonly modeled. The GP8 designation refers to rebuilt versions of those models, which means real-world examples vary widely. Some had low noses, others high, and the component mix wasn’t always consistent. The TGauge GP8 model appears to have two large fans, what I assume are meant to represent 48″ cooling fans, which were a feature on later GP9 variants.

So is it prototypical? Not really. The overall size and details are a bit exaggerated, but that’s expected in this scale. That said, it definitely captures the essence of an EMD GP7, GP8, or GP9, and visually it reminds me most of a late-model GP9, primarily because of the two prominent fans.

One important note: don’t judge the model too harshly based on close-up macro photos. At normal viewing distance, many of the tiny imperfections and exaggerated features are barely noticeable.

How Does It Run? In short…. very well. Right out of the box, I ran it for about 10 minutes at medium speed to break it in, then tested it at low speeds using the TGauge.com PWM Power Box. I was surprised by how smooth it was, even from a standstill.

Compared to the 16m (35.5mm) motorized chassis I’ve used for kitbashing, which sometimes stalls or runs a bit jerky at low speeds, the GP8 performed much better. I think the slightly higher weight (2.48g vs. 2.08g) plays a role. While a 0.4g difference might seem negligible, in T Gauge it makes a difference. The additional width probably helps lower the center of gravity as well, adding to its stability.

Final Thoughts: For me, the lack of full prototypical accuracy isn’t a dealbreaker. The EMD GP8 is a smooth-running, generic North American diesel loco that fits nicely into a small-scale layout. If you’re looking for a reliable runner for your T Gauge U.S.-themed scenes, this is a strong choice. A great example of a layout using the GP8 is the Cascade Loop.

TGauge.com: EMD GP8 Black 

I am not paid by or have any affiliation with TGauge.com