GG1 after my review, photos.. WHY I CHOOSE TO BUY THE LIONEL GG1

[AlanRail]

Well

After the exhaustive reviews and photos; And reading all I could on both forums, I finally decided to buy one; the LIONEL BRUNSWICK GREEN 5-stripe.

First, I have many many MTH Proto-2 steam and diesel engines, so Wolf should not be concerned of losing my future business, and I run DCS far more than TMCC. Second, aside from the GG1, I have only one other TMCC engine active and that is the Electroliner from Sunset. I think MTH makes quality engines; Quality says more to me than loyalty and it always will.

Thus, I had every reason to want to buy the MTH version but I didn't. here's why:

Both models are held out as scale and measuring the size they likely are. In my opinion, the LIONEL version started from a clean sheet of paper whereas the MTH versions used the molds of their previous model. That said if you are used to the proportions of the MTH GG1 you think that the LIONEL cab windows and the insulators are way too big. Actually according to the GG1 photos in the books I saw the LIONEL is right on. This aspect was important to me.

Additional, the pantographs are more detailed on the LIONEL. And after all that is a key part of why you would purchase any Pantograph equipped engine. But there is a trade-off here. The Lionel's pantographs cannot be used to power the engine, unlike the MTH version. Although I have always want to add a catenary and have a system I designed ready to go, I never considered actually powering the engine from the catenary. Again for me the powering wasn’t a deterrent.

So given that I may construct a system, I would still need to be able to run the engine’s pantographs under it. As has been said, the LIONEL pantograph have much less play, moving less up and down to account for irregularities in the height of the catenary, than does the MTH version. A drawback. However, my system is composed of the solid Marklin catenaries that are very similar to the MTH system. So that the irregularities are small and the Lionel pantograph movement would be OK for my system.

The sound system in the LIONEL, I think is better than the one in the MTH version. In my mind, the sound of the pantographs as they move up an down and the pinging of the catenary adds positively to the LIONEL GG1 experience.

As to the pulling power, well the MTH wins the pulling contest, but how many times will I be pulling a LIONEL GG1 while the LIONEL is running in reverse?

The appearance of the MTH is rather dull compared to the sheen on the LIONEL. I think the graphics on the LIONEL GG1 are bolder too.

As to details, it really is a toss-up; both engines have details I’d like to put on the other model. The see-thru grills on the MTH look nice and give this otherwise big massive engine an airy lighter feeling. However, the actual grills were blocked with filters and when I saw the GG1 in person, the feeling I had, was big and massive not airy. Also I did not like the bi-color marker lights on the MTH version on this model as not too typical, even though I thought that using those was cool idea.

That is why I chose the LIONEL. However, if you wind up choosing the MTH you will not be disappointed either.

Alan

[AlanRail]

One more thing...

I re-measured the LIONEL GG1's pantograph vertical play when extended. The movement was well over an inch. That is more than adaquate for the variation in height of a cantenary wire.


Alan

[Anonymous]

Alan,

Good post. While I model mostly SP and Santa Fe I have decided to acquire a GG1 after reading the review and seeing a few pictures. The style and flow of the design of these locos when in scale form can't be beat.

I can't make up my mind between the MTH and Lionel. It really seems that close. I like both builders and have to make my choices on a engine by engine basis.

My next step is to find a local hobby shop that has both engines that can be compared side to side as RAK has done in his great review. I'll kick a few tires for a while and make my decision, but I'm sure whichever I decide I won't be disappointed.

I begged and whined my parents into buying me a 2360 Lionel GG1 when I was young and at that time believed that this heavy monster was exactly what a GG1 looked like, even in the shortened version it appeared to be a brute.

I never thought we would ever see a full scale length GG1, and with functioning up and down mechanisms for the pantographs thrown in. It will be pure pleasure having this new locomotive.

Thanks for the reviews and details on the new models from Lionel and MTH. Keep them coming.

Those that might be taken back with the feature of the see-through grills on the MTH model might consider removing the body and installing material similar to what the filters would look like on the actual GG1. This should add even further detail to an already nice model. I noticed the see-through feature in one of the pictures posted on the internet and it definitely didn't look right, but can be be easily rectified.

[92hatchattack]

well, have you purchased her and not posted more pictures yet??? shame on you!

haha jk of course,

as i mentioned before, come tax time i think i may be in the market if someone can tell me it may run on 63" diamater.... its the largest i can go ..... if anyone that pushchases one and finds out its runnable on this size curve please email me and let me know .. i would apreciate it alot!!!

looking foward to pics of her in action!!!

[daan]

Is that newer GG1 also made with a diecast body?
I like the postwars because of their weight and double motors, but they are a bit short in length. Looking forward to the pictures!!

[AlanRail]

I am going to set up a small section with my catenary system.. Once I do I will repost with more photos.

I'm not sure how this catenary issue got raised. (No pun) I think it was in the other forum that they suggested that the LIONEL pantographs were NOT spring-loaded. As a result, they would not move down to accomodate a variation in the catenary height. That is simply NOT TRUE..

Well mine are spring-loaded with not one but 2 springs on each pantograph.

Maybe I have the only one or if you post in that other forum they only sell you a LIONEL GG1 without the springs, so you can moan about it.

Alan

[Anonymous]

Daan,

Both the GG1's are die cast metal, heavy, and extremely well made.