Heading home for the holidays layout under construction

[emdmike]

Started on my new early prewar Lionel layout today.  Built around a GG1 set I bought off the original owner last year.  Not a factory set, but one made up by the hobby shop back in the late 1940's.  Even the tubular track, of which there is a ton of staight sections, is super clean for its age.  The GG1's stripes/road name have faded away but still shines like new, and the 3 tinplate coaches shine like new.  All, including the shiny RW have their original boxes. I am undecided on getting the GG1's stripes restored or leaving it playworn.  Anyways, the layout will be set right before Christmas in the late 1940's somewhere along the PRR.  I am hoping to pick up an early 675(silver smoke stack version) and a smoke bulb 671 in the future. Planning on using Dept 56 style buildings.  Once I figure out the track plan, I will paint the table white.   Enjoy!   Happy Holidays  Mike and Michele T

[emdmike]

Here is a better shot of my old 2332 stopped at the Marx Girard station.  Her stipes and road name are long faded away, but she runs as good as new. Somewhere I have insulators for that front pantograph, but for the life of me I cannot find them.  I am debating on getting an early 675 or a nice pair of 2343's next.    Mike

[Penny Trains]

emdmike

I am debating on getting an early 675 or a nice pair of 2343's next.

Tough choice!  I'd go steam, but that's just me.  Congratulations on the new layout getting started! 

[Flintlock76]

Those first-generation post-war GG1's were notorious for shedding the stripes and the road name, as good as the engine was otherwise.  I don't see any harm in having the stripes and name restored if it's done by someone who really knows how to do it correctly.  

[anjdevil2]

LEN CARPARELLI of L & L Trains is expensive but very exacting, if you were going to to a paint job, I'd send it to him.

I have a 2020 and a 671 and they both are excellent steamers, both smoke up a storm and run VERY well.  Same era and the GG1 and those 2 steamers will fit the bill perfectly.

Just as an aside, I use white isulating foam for my snow and have had very good results.  The bnus is that the track is quiet even with the Fastrack. I run a hybrid of Fastrack and Atlas O.

[BigAl 956]

To restore or not. Always a tough question. I'm in the restore it camp. If this were a 64 Mustang group there would be no question, restore it!  Although I've no personal experience, Len Carparelli is a known expert on Lonel restorations. I would trust my GG1 to him.

[emdmike]

I will send the GG1 to Len C once the holidays are over or I pickup another engine to run.  He charges $125 and that includes new hardware and a complete strip and repaint/restripe.  That is a bargain for professional quality work.  I have had seveal HO brass models painted and those cost way more than that.  But right now she is the only motive power running, so in her faded glory she will stay for a bit longer.   I have now painted the table top white, just need to find a few more pieces of curved roadbed and I can fasten the track down.  Cleaning up my ceramic Christmas buildings now.  More pics soon!    Mike