More History on the GG-1: The Pennsy first used the FF-1 but was so slow they scrapped it. First came the L-5 electric in the 1920s. The rail supply then was 3rd power rail supply.Then they used the P5 but the driver was killed in a grade cross accident. So the P5a was introduced. Then after some time, they decided to use a New Haven electric locomotive's wheel arrangement by putting the P5a streamlined body on top of the frame. The GG-1 was then born. There were 2 that were constructed and delivered in August of 1934. None were built in 1933. The first was the R1 electric locomotive. Only 1 R1 was made but it was retired in the 1950s. The most famous GG-1 was Old Rivets numbered 4800. Classification: In Electric locomotives, Numbers referred to the unpowered axles and letters referred to the power axles. A jack shaft was not a powered axle. So a GG-1 is not a 4-6-0+0-6-4 Eric it is a 2-C+C-2 wheel arrangement. It also works for steam locomotives: Example: a (2’C)C2’ was a Challenger, and a 2’E1’ was a Texas type engine.
I remember my wife and I took our first train trip to Florida from Pennsylvania Station, NYC. Our first leg of the journey, NY to Washington DC was powered by a GG1.
The GG1s were great They hauled freight, passengers, and mow trains. The were so reliable 50 years of service. The second best locomotive ever made. It was to electric what the SD40-2 was to diesel
This was always one of my favorite engines, I have a load of 35 mm slides I took of the GG1s at the Sunnyside RR yards in NYC. Some of my shots have as many as 30 engines in the yard. That was a great site to see! Great review!!
Ricardo Palomo i grew up in Sunnyside. I used to train watch at a lot on 43rd street along side the tracks. Penn Central, Amtrak, and NJ Transit were the operators at that time.
GG1 is one of my favorite engines. I have a Lionel 2360 GG1 built in the 60's. I love to have the MTH one but my largest radius curve is 054. Great review and enjoyed seeing it run.
One of my favorite locomotives, hands down. One detail, that I thought could have been included, is the hand grabs on the lead and trailing trucks. MTH may have chosen to omit these as they could be delicate. On the Lionel 14 1/2" versions, these hand grabs are cast as a solid sort of "Fin" on the tops of the trucks. Just an observation.
I had the opportunity to run two class GG1 now in Strasburg RR museum when I was an Engineer she was the pride of the old Pennsylvania RR. I caught the ending Era in 1979
Really nice GG1 set Eric! You're making me want another GG1, had a premier model but let it go when I figured out the pantographs hit my bridges. Maybe it's time for new bridges! lol
Very cool engine Eric. Reminds me of the two K-Line Interurbans that I have that give you the option of a cantenary system or track power. Great video as always.
Great review Eric! I like the value that MTH adds to their Premier Line and HO sets by adding five cars or so for around an extra $100.00. But just to let you know, the fact that the set comes with a Pennsylvania Railroad single stripe GG1 is not a pro nor a con, it's a feature, and should be regarded that way. Other than that one little nitpick, nicely done!
Ok thanks I think I was looking for the reason for few dcc in O. GG1 sure iconic. Marklin has/had it from the late 50's I remember, along with the similar swiss krokodil/Crocodile. From the days e engines had character. Now they are boxes on wheels under pantos. LOL. Robert
I recently picked up three of these with Proto Sound 2.0 and one of them is PRR/Conrail 4800 in her bicentennial livery. The other is Conrail 4800 in it’s one-off blue livery (4800 is the only GG1 to actually receive the Conrail “Big Blue” paint) and the other is a PennCentral unit. I can’t believe even today, Lionel hasn’t made to where we can power our Legacy or Vision Line GG1’s with a overhead catenary like on the MTH GG1’s. Closest thing to overhead power Lionel has done is the “spark” effect on the vision line GG1.
At about 12:44 you say you don't understand why you can't have both the catenary and the p/u rollers hot at the same time. Eric, I am surprised at you. Think about it. The engine is sitting there idling. There's 18 volts on the track and, ergo, 18 volts on the catenary. OK. So you go to pick the unit up - and touch the _all metal body_ and the catenary at the same time. What's going to happen? ZAPPO! - Because the shell of the engine is always at ground potential. The last thing MTH needs is some kid getting electrocuted by one of their engines. Other than that, a terrific review.
Hi Eric • Enjoyed the GG-1 history. It would be cool to get the overhead power from the pantographs. Very interesting on how they work. Looks & sounds great on the layout. * Cheers from Michigan
Do the lanterns on the caboose have lights in them, I noticed the caboose was running in reverse doing your review, so they may not have been illuminated.
Eric, you got me interested in GG1, my question is what is the reccommended curves for GG1 like this one in the video? I'm looking also into switches for my yard. I'm new to this and I'm planning to buy 2 sets of trains in DEC and my Bday in Jan.
Hey Eric, I have an MTH RailKing Southern Pacific GS-4 (converted to Protosound 2) which I absolutely love, but when I try to run it with my DCS Commander System, none of the buttons work and the engine won't start up, even though there's plenty of power to the track. I tried cleaning the track, but to no avail. Not to mention that the engine is very sensitive and won't move in conventional mode when there's more than 1 passenger car on the tracks. Also, when it runs conventionally, the whistle & bell work, but only on 1 section. My layout is a set of 2 tracks; on the outer track, the engine is very jittery, and on the inner track, it runs smoother, but not all of the functions work. The DCS Commander System doesn't work with the engine on either sections, but yet all of my other engines work fine with it. Do you have any ideas on how I can solve this problem?
Im trying to get more of the higher end lionel trains, and I was wondering what are some cheaper lionel sets in the vision line and legacy lines. I don't use the Legacy Control System, but I can run them conventionally with a transformer.
I don't think it can do 0-54. I got a JLC Y6b and its min curves are 0-72 but can run on 0-60 though the overhang is ridiculous. It might run on 0-60, though that is pushing it literally, but the drive shaft and gearbox will wear faster out on 0-60 than 0-72 so I all I can say is: No for 0-54, Maybe for 0-60. For any 0-72 rated articulated loco, if the engine can do a max swing identical to 0-54 I would say try it but you got to do it when the train is powered on to get the final result.
It won't do 0-54 since the loco is quite long in length as stated in the video. It might do 0-60 but if so, the speed would be restricted and the overhang would look ridiculous. If you want a GG1 for tight turns, the best possible way is to get a Lionel Postwar GG1 or any Railking, Imperial, LionMaster, etc.GG1 rated for 0-31.
hmm, ya i thought so, well i got the railking one which is still good, the biggest curve i have is 0-54 because of the train table size i had to work with, hopefully this summer i will expand it, because a layout is never finished!
Oil-fired steam generator? Having a steam generator in an electric locomotive is odd enough, but why oil-fired instead of using electric heating? It seems overly complicated to me, most European electric locomotives have HEP outlets on both ends and that's it - plain and simple.
PrekiFromPoland simple reasons really. despite the success of the GG-1, electric has never been king on American railways. Coal and steam ruled first. Then oil and steam, and then finally diesel. Second thing is that Pennsylvania was an oil producing state. The Pennsy probably found this method to be cheaper and more reliable.
The locomotives were equipped with Vapor Company steam generators to provide heat to the passenger coaches. No...you would not have smoke when running in freight service. But you would when in passenger service.
More History on the GG-1: The Pennsy first used the FF-1 but was so slow they scrapped it. First came the L-5 electric in the 1920s. The rail supply then was 3rd power rail supply.Then they used the P5 but the driver was killed in a grade cross accident. So the P5a was introduced. Then after some time, they decided to use a New Haven electric locomotive's wheel arrangement by putting the P5a streamlined body on top of the frame. The GG-1 was then born. There were 2 that were constructed and delivered in August of 1934. None were built in 1933. The first was the R1 electric locomotive. Only 1 R1 was made but it was retired in the 1950s. The most famous GG-1 was Old Rivets numbered 4800.
Classification: In Electric locomotives, Numbers referred to the unpowered axles and letters referred to the power axles. A jack shaft was not a powered axle.
So a GG-1 is not a 4-6-0+0-6-4 Eric it is a 2-C+C-2 wheel arrangement.
It also works for steam locomotives:
Example: a (2’C)C2’ was a Challenger, and a 2’E1’ was a Texas type engine.
I remember my wife and I took our first train trip to Florida from Pennsylvania Station, NYC. Our first leg of the journey, NY to Washington DC was powered by a GG1.
The GG1s were great They hauled freight, passengers, and mow trains. The were so reliable 50 years of service. The second best locomotive ever made. It was to electric what the SD40-2 was to diesel
This was always one of my favorite engines, I have a load of 35 mm slides I took of the GG1s at the Sunnyside RR yards in NYC. Some of my shots have as many as 30 engines in the yard. That was a great site to see! Great review!!
Ricardo Palomo i grew up in Sunnyside. I used to train watch at a lot on 43rd street along side the tracks. Penn Central, Amtrak, and NJ Transit were the operators at that time.
looks nice!
My Great grandfather used to drive GG1
Lucky man!!!!!!!!!!
dirt bikes 1 my grandpa also drove the gg1. He was born in 1901
Lucky
GG1 is one of my favorite engines. I have a Lionel 2360 GG1 built in the 60's. I love to have the MTH one but my largest radius curve is 054. Great review and enjoyed seeing it run.
The GG1 eletric. It defines the word classic. My area still echoes those Leslie A200s
One of my favorite locomotives, hands down. One detail, that I thought could have been included, is the hand grabs on the lead and trailing trucks. MTH may have chosen to omit these as they could be delicate. On the Lionel 14 1/2" versions, these hand grabs are cast as a solid sort of "Fin" on the tops of the trucks. Just an observation.
I have a GG1 for my N-Scale train set in the black Amtrak scheme and along with that two Amfleet coaches.
I had the opportunity to run two class GG1 now in Strasburg RR museum when I was an Engineer she was the pride of the old Pennsylvania RR. I caught the ending Era in 1979
I love those GiGi horns! I used to watch them run along the NEC here in Baltimore.
Really nice GG1 set Eric! You're making me want another GG1, had a premier model but let it go when I figured out the pantographs hit my bridges. Maybe it's time for new bridges! lol
Very cool engine Eric. Reminds me of the two K-Line Interurbans that I have that give you the option of a cantenary system or track power. Great video as always.
i know this is a controversial claim, but i think this is better than the visionline gg1 in terms of what you get with the money
I have one in the original paint scheme. It is probably my favourite o scale locomotive.
I have saw a lot of the gg_1 on the NEC in New Brunswick NJ back when I was a young child
Very nice set Eric, the pantographs are neat and the smoke unit for the steam generator is cool as well.
Great review Eric! I like the value that MTH adds to their Premier Line and HO sets by adding five cars or so for around an extra $100.00. But just to let you know, the fact that the set comes with a Pennsylvania Railroad single stripe GG1 is not a pro nor a con, it's a feature, and should be regarded that way. Other than that one little nitpick, nicely done!
Ok thanks I think I was looking for the reason for few dcc in O. GG1 sure iconic. Marklin has/had it from the late 50's I remember, along with the similar swiss krokodil/Crocodile. From the days e engines had character. Now they are boxes on wheels under pantos. LOL. Robert
That pantograph system is slicker than snot on a doorknob.
I recently picked up three of these with Proto Sound 2.0 and one of them is PRR/Conrail 4800 in her bicentennial livery. The other is Conrail 4800 in it’s one-off blue livery (4800 is the only GG1 to actually receive the Conrail “Big Blue” paint) and the other is a PennCentral unit. I can’t believe even today, Lionel hasn’t made to where we can power our Legacy or Vision Line GG1’s with a overhead catenary like on the MTH GG1’s. Closest thing to overhead power Lionel has done is the “spark” effect on the vision line GG1.
AWESOME review Eric!!!!!!! Very nice set, and die-cast shell as well, I might have to pick one up! Thanks for the review bud and have a great day!
Amazing review. Got lots of great train action around the upper loop
That upper level would be great to add the things for the pentographs!
At about 12:44 you say you don't understand why you can't have both the catenary and the p/u rollers hot at the same time.
Eric, I am surprised at you.
Think about it. The engine is sitting there idling. There's 18 volts on the track and, ergo, 18 volts on the catenary.
OK. So you go to pick the unit up - and touch the _all metal body_ and the catenary at the same time. What's going to happen? ZAPPO! - Because the shell of the engine is always at ground potential.
The last thing MTH needs is some kid getting electrocuted by one of their engines.
Other than that, a terrific review.
I LOVE GG1 LOCOMOTIVES GOOD JOB ERIC
Hi Eric • Enjoyed the GG-1 history. It would be cool to get the overhead power from the pantographs. Very interesting on how they work. Looks & sounds great on the layout.
* Cheers from Michigan
The green marker lights most commonly symbolize the front as well. Red markers on the back
Great review Eric! That is an excellent set!
Do the lanterns on the caboose have lights in them, I noticed the caboose was running in reverse doing your review, so they may not have been illuminated.
Great review Eric
Very nice set Eric!
i love that GG1 horn
Eric, you got me interested in GG1, my question is what is the reccommended curves for GG1 like this one in the video? I'm looking also into switches for my yard. I'm new to this and I'm planning to buy 2 sets of trains in DEC and my Bday in Jan.
Hey Eric, I have an MTH RailKing Southern Pacific GS-4 (converted to Protosound 2) which I absolutely love, but when I try to run it with my DCS Commander System, none of the buttons work and the engine won't start up, even though there's plenty of power to the track. I tried cleaning the track, but to no avail. Not to mention that the engine is very sensitive and won't move in conventional mode when there's more than 1 passenger car on the tracks. Also, when it runs conventionally, the whistle & bell work, but only on 1 section. My layout is a set of 2 tracks; on the outer track, the engine is very jittery, and on the inner track, it runs smoother, but not all of the functions work. The DCS Commander System doesn't work with the engine on either sections, but yet all of my other engines work fine with it. Do you have any ideas on how I can solve this problem?
Like you, I love the operating panagraphs!
Hey Eric, have you ever thought of reviewing the Lionel Acela Express set?
Beautiful locomotive, and great review. Eric do you see yourself ever adding overhead lines on any part of your layout?
That's a cool engine.
I've seen one of these in Frisco, Texas.
Nice review Eric Kyle
I've seen a Pennsylvania GG-1 at the National Railroad Museum in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
+Toby Pasman I saw one in the PA railroad museum.
Im trying to get more of the higher end lionel trains, and I was wondering what are some cheaper lionel sets in the vision line and legacy lines. I don't use the Legacy Control System, but I can run them conventionally with a transformer.
The caboose is on backwards, the lights are on the front.
They scrapped the PRR FF1 because it kept derailing the train cars it pulled/pushed.
Whats the issue with 3rail and dcc? I run marklin 3 rail, all dcc. Robert
You can run dcc on 3 rail O scale, but its not common in the United States.
Painesville Railfans Exactly.
I didn't say there's an issue with it. It's simply that in the US most people aren't going to be using DCC with a 3-rail O-Scale model.
Are you planning on purchasing the Lionel Vision Line GG1?
Yes
Here's a question: Would more boxcars like the ones in the set be available separately for those that might want them?
Yes, MTH made a single car in two different road numbers and two six car sets each with 6 different car numbers per set.
Okie dokie, thanks a bunch! :)
+Michael Mohrmann Your welcome.
What is the minimum curve for this set?
Hey eric is the gg1 your first electric locomotive
MTH is rumored to be closing its doors.
Do you have any interest in the Lionel Acela Express set?
what are those bars over the windows and good review?
Looks best with passenger cars.
Why do the cab lights turn off when the engine moves?
Yes
where can I purchase one of these models?
i know its a 0-72 engine..but do you think it could cut a 0-54 or no?
I don't think it can do 0-54. I got a JLC Y6b and its min curves are 0-72 but can run on 0-60 though the overhang is ridiculous. It might run on 0-60, though that is pushing it literally, but the drive shaft and gearbox will wear faster out on 0-60 than 0-72 so I all I can say is: No for 0-54, Maybe for 0-60.
For any 0-72 rated articulated loco, if the engine can do a max swing identical to 0-54 I would say try it but you got to do it when the train is powered on to get the final result.
can the gg1 go on anything smaller than 72, because I do not have that, thanks
It won't do 0-54 since the loco is quite long in length as stated in the video. It might do 0-60 but if so, the speed would be restricted and the overhang would look ridiculous. If you want a GG1 for tight turns, the best possible way is to get a Lionel Postwar GG1 or any Railking, Imperial, LionMaster, etc.GG1 rated for 0-31.
hmm, ya i thought so, well i got the railking one which is still good, the biggest curve i have is 0-54 because of the train table size i had to work with, hopefully this summer i will expand it, because a layout is never finished!
SUPER SUPER SUPER SUPER
Were GG1s only on passenger service?
Where can I find this set?
you have a katinary system?
Minimum curve O-72. I have 0-60 curves…..I’ve ran a MTH U50C on O-36 curves so running a GG1 on O-60 Curves will be nothing new to me.
Oil-fired steam generator? Having a steam generator in an electric locomotive is odd enough, but why oil-fired instead of using electric heating? It seems overly complicated to me, most European electric locomotives have HEP outlets on both ends and that's it - plain and simple.
PrekiFromPoland simple reasons really. despite the success of the GG-1, electric has never been king on American railways. Coal and steam ruled first. Then oil and steam, and then finally diesel. Second thing is that Pennsylvania was an oil producing state. The Pennsy probably found this method to be cheaper and more reliable.
This is a electric engine it doesn’t need smoke units
The locomotives were equipped with Vapor Company steam generators to provide heat to the passenger coaches. No...you would not have smoke when running in freight service. But you would when in passenger service.
can you still get this?
My friend owns a Leslie A-200 horn that's own the GG-1
*on
You should go to video blog 49
It's ok if u don't have da wires for da train ( Sorry I talk in text )
can i run this with legacy or tmcc?
Ben's Trains Not in command mode, but in conventional mode with the appropriate equipment it will run with either Lionel system.
Honestly, this is almost just as good as the Visionline
What gauge is this???
o