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Heralded as "The greatest western train set of all time," the 1976 TYCO line introduced the GP-20
(No.228-30) in brown-and-orange Kansas-Durango-Colorado paint. The set also offered the Operating
Floodlight Car (No.347B) in the Durango paint, as well as the 40'
Stock Car (No.312G). For 1977, TYCO adds a Durango
Steamline Off-Center Cupola Caboose (No.327-30).
For nearly every TYCO offering, there seems to be variations in paint or other aspects of the
model. The Durango diesel is included with the pre-production Durango
GP-20 model displayed in the 1976 TYCO Catalog
that rides on AAR trucks and has a red cab number. Production examples favor the image shown above with white cab numerals
and EMD Blomberg trucks.
TYCO included the Durango GP-20 in the annual catalog
cover illustration for the set's introductory year of 1976. This was also TYCO's 50th anniversary yeard. The Durango train
set returns for a second year in the 1977 TYCO catalog.
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