My GG1 is running much better than it was, although I think it ought to be better. No doubt I think there May be frame damage, and that has given room for more vertical bounce on the pilot and lead trucks. However, I have 2 others and they donot run flawlessly either.
Also, my frequent junctions of Gargraves and 022 switch rail are not helpful, but I do notice that sometimes the pilot derails in the middle of 022 switches--a problem that is not due to
muxining different manufacturers products.
But the 2 weights have brought the loco back to be mostly reliable by reducing the bounce.
I have seen mentioned in CTT that the GG1 pilots can be trouble because they are unweighted, and some steamers have exhibited the same trouble.
To me, it is a design failure for what was sold as a toy to require a high degree of craftsmanship to perform in a way to be satisfying. I will cop to not being the best craftsman; honestly I am a guy who would rather play with his trains than work on them!
As usual, comments welcome--just be gentle regarding my last bit of candor.
Post pics or better yet a video of it running!
Finally, after a year, I was able to locate a leading truck for a GG one that I can tell was not from the original years of manufacture in the mid-1950s. It does not have a coil coupler. But when I swapped it in, it did eliminate most problems that I have with the units operation, so I'm very pleased.
I also posted this information on a discussion of replacement springs, because one of the ideas which I had was that a small spring surrounding the hook on top of the truck might help damp down the bouncing.
But it does seem that the GG one and the turbine steamer as well. I have a truck which is prone to vertical movement which can lead to derailments.
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