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MADE IN AMERICA
This Locomotive Is New, Unused, And In The Original Box.
You May Be The First To Handle It Outside The Factory.
If You Feel Otherwise Please Contact Me.
4-8651 S Gauge Santa Fe GP-20 Diesel Locomotive
Road Number 8551
Directional lighting and illuminated number boards
Operating knuckle couplers
Electronic 3-position E-Unit
Powerful motor with Pullmor traction tires
Die-cast metal trucks
Classic Santa Fe blue-and-yellow freight scheme with large “Santa Fe” lettering
Runs on traditional American Flyer 2-rail S gauge track (AC)
Matching dummy/non-powered GP-20 was later cataloged as 6-48003 (road number 8553) — this listing is for the powered 4-8651 only
First-generation turbo Geep in S. The real EMD GP20 (1959–1962) was Electro-Motive’s first production four-axle turbocharged road-switcher. Only 260 were built. Santa Fe was the largest buyer, taking 75 units as ATSF 1100–1174 (later renumbered into the 3100 and 3000 classes and rebuilt as GP20u). The prototype delivered 2,000 hp from a turbocharged 16-567D2 engine, kept full power at altitude, and was sold as a “three-replaces-four” replacement for first-generation F-units. That history is why a Santa Fe GP-20 is one of the most meaningful Geeps you can put on an S layout.
Santa Fe’s 1960–72 “bookends” freight scheme. ATSF GP20s were delivered in dark blue with yellow ends, a yellow pinstripe, and large Cooper-Black “Santa Fe” lettering on the hood — the scheme railfans call Bookends, Billboard, or Pinstripe. It is the look of Santa Fe freight power on Raton, Cajon, and the transcon before the 1972 Yellowbonnet. Lionel captured that mid-century freight identity rather than the more common red-and-silver Warbonnet.
A landmark Flyer revival piece. After A.C. Gilbert closed in 1966–67, the American Flyer name sat unused until Lionel (then under General Mills / Fundimensions) restarted S gauge production in 1979. The 1986 Santa Fe GP-20 was among the new diesel offerings that proved Flyer was more than reissued Gilbert steam. It uses Lionel’s electronic 3-position E-Unit and Pullmor traction tires — the running gear S operators of that era actually wanted.
Layout and consist friendly. S gauge 1:64 on realistic two-rail track is closer to scale than traditional 3-rail O. Pair this powered 8551 with period Flyer Santa Fe freight (1986 also saw ATSF boxcar 4-9710, covered hopper 4-9208, and bay-window caboose 4-9405) or later Flyer/American Models cars. A matching dummy 8553 (6-48003, 1988) makes a convincing A-A set if you find one later.
Builder: Electro-Motive Division (EMD), La Grange, Illinois
Production: November 1959 – April 1962
Total built: 260
Engine: EMD 16-567D2 turbocharged V16, 2,000 hp
Arrangement: B-B (Bo-Bo), 56 ft 2 in
Top speed: 65 mph
Santa Fe roster: 1100–1174 (75 units), delivered May 1960 – December 1961 in blue with yellow stripe
Why it mattered: first EMD four-axle turbo; full-rated power at mountain altitudes; trade-in program that retired worn FTs and early Geeps
Locomotive
Packed for safe transit. S gauge locomotive — inspect photos for paint, handrails, and coupler condition.
This product can expose you to chemicals including lead, which is known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm. For more information go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.
