i bought the cc gg1, yes it does pull, but it has problems. i received it with a chipped nose, called lionel, got a replacement, and it came chipped as well. in addition, the horn does not work right and glitches every once in a while. the only upside was the replacement shell was shipped from lionel in an 90's style shipping carton, with " Conrail 6-18216 SD-60" crossed out with a sharpie, and sent from the address 26750 23 Mile Road Chesterfield, MI 48051, so it was sort of interesting. I would just buy a williams gp-9, much more reliable
Here's a video of my engine pulling the consist- for proof. The MP15 behind it is a nonpowered dummy unit. It's also hauling quiet a few Postwar passenger cars with high friction axles, and quiet a few Railking passenger cars that are also heavy. Limited by layout size not number of cars or engine power. The test was done on a carpet layout I made to support the large train. My own layout which is just 6*8 couldn't fit this train. watch?v=ec6i8JqYQXc&list=UUoatFttu749PedSYNzL Q&index=5&feature=plcp
The growl of a open frame motor. It's like it's rev- it's most noticeable in the F3s with horizontal mounted pullmors. It sounds like it's revving up, it's a really awesome sound. watch?v=GumxKIfjclE&list=UUoatFttu749PedSYNzL Q&index=3&feature=plcp
That's my old video of my GP-7 from the Conventional Classics line without the shell, just running.
A Dash 8 is a bigger locomotive so you can't compare that. A MTH Railking GP-9 or GP-7 is more comparable or any other GP. My GP-7 could pull more, it was on 0-60 curves when it pulled the consist and didn't slip at all. I know the K-line MP15 is light but it does have twice the motors. What I'm saying is that the CC GP-7 can pull very well, comparable to a 2 can motored engine with only the one very large Pullmor motor. It can't out pull a Dash 8, it's like me saying to you, well my MTH premier SD90MAC could out haul your Dash 8 (which it could it weighs 8lbs and has 12 wheel drive). not a fair comparison.
Well, I'd have to disagree with out-pulling dual can motors. I have a Legacy Conrail DASH-80 that was easily able to pull 51 cars on level track, the only issue was a couple of the PW tankers in the consist needed the couplers wired together, they kept opening up. It handled the O36 curves on the run with no problems as well.
The K-Line MP15 is a pretty light locomotive, weight is everything in a pulling contest.
I have a Conventional Classics Burlington GP-7 and it has one massive Pullmor motor and I tell ya it can pull it can pull more than 31 cars (a third of the consist being passenger with postwar trucks) on level ground without slipping or stalling. It can easily out pull a 2 can motor engine on level ground. Hell the motor is huge and it has low gearing to match. On a grade simply because it doesn't have both trucks powered it slips a little more than a 2 can motor equipped engine but I have pulled a K-line 2 motor MP15 backwards with this engine in an accidental tug o war.
It can't be described: ya gotta hear it for yourself! Pullmor motors are not silent, like can motors.
Thanks for your comments. What is the "PW growl?"
The above comments regarding Lionel CC Locos leads me to conclude that pre-run postwar engines are a better choice, albeit more costly. I recently saw two(NIB) Budd sets at my LHS, circa 1999, but if they are subject to the above problems, I'll stay away.
BTW, I have a postwar GP7 (Wabash) and it runs very smoothy, using little power, and does not growl like a postwar F3.
runtime
Have the following Lionel CC locos – NYC F-3, PRR GG1, LW Trainmaster, and the Mil GP-7. All have been good except the Tuscan red GG1 which was problematic. The Mil GP-7 is the best –has only one motor so that motor does not start/run at different RPM’s compared with the other motor. Since it has traction tires as well as MT it runs smoothly and can pull a lot of cars. Mine will run as slowly as a can motor equipped loco although with the PW growl.
I received the LCCA / Lionel Burlington Alco 216 set last week. It has only one motor but on a flat surface seems to have plenty of power / pulling strength for the 7 cars in the set which includes 4 lighted dual roller pick-up passenger cars. Also with about 2 hours running time there is no indication of over heating that has bugged some of the earlier releases of Lionel / Guggenheim Era Alcos.
Bill T.
I have this locomotive and I really like it. It was designed to be very similar to the post war original from the 1950's. Therefore, like the original, it has one Pullmor motor and Magne-Traction. It does differ from the original in that it has an electronic e-unit, electronic horn (instead of the old battery horn), bell, and traction tires. My unit has no trouble pulling trains on my layout, but my layout is small so my train length is limited. I don't own any Williams locomotives so unfortunately am not in a position to compare the two.
Karl
I have the CC Orbitor set and the single motor engine is a good puller. I would say the Williams might be better since they use metal gears, but if you like the set then it should work well. Have your LHS test run it and if you break it in well to start it should be fine.
Founding member of the All Aboard Fastrackers! See us at: www.allaboardfastrackers.com
To say that it comes with only one motor, that would mean an ebay dump or shelf king to me!
I had an earlier version(around 1996) of a single motor Lionel GP-7 that would only pull four quad hoppers(empty) when powered by a 275 watt ZW and it was the only thing being powered by the ZW.
Lee F.
My buddy owns one of those and it is very nice. He even converted his to TMCC. The early CC units like the GG1 and TM were very poorly built. Seems like most of the new ones are doing better.
Roger
I am NOT buying any more CC's. I bought a VGN F-M that the brushes hang up one of the motors making it run in one direction only. I sent it back to get it worked on. I also bought a GG-1 that sheared off one of it's wheels on one of the power trucks. In fairness, I should point out that I have a CC NYC F-3 and ATSF F-3 and a UP NW-2 that, so far, have had no problems. If you want a good GP-9, stick with Williams. If you want a TMCC GP-9 look at Atlas.
George
It appears to be a SD70Ace in CNW markings...
The above is a GP-7 (Milwaukee Road). Does anyone have this unit or heard anything about it? I saw it in a local hobby shop and was tempted to purchased it (why I held back this time is, of course, besides the point!). My only concern was that it has 1 pullmor motor and I wish it came with two. I know there are several Williams fans out there and the Williams GP9's come with two motors. Any thoughts/preferences? Thanks.
Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account.
Get the Classic Toy Trains newsletter delivered to your inbox twice a month