ATHG82833 GP9 With DCC & Sound, NYC #7517 Diesel LocomotivePROTOTYPE SPECIFIC INFORMATION In 1949, EMD introduced the GP7. The basic design followed most diesel switchers with the addition of a short hood instead of an end cab. The hoods were also full height to better accommodate the diesel engine and mechanical and electrical components. In 1954 EMD upgraded the GP7 to become the 1,750 horsepower GP9. Externally, the first GP9s were virtually unchanged from the last GP7s. Later versions would include