Larry - I am a steam and electric fan (somehow that sounds funny). I adore just anything old ( pre 1950´s)with pantographs on top of it. That includes the GG1 which is certainly the most beautiful electric loco of that era.
As Mr. B. is also looking into getting a Bi-Polar and maybe a Little Joe to boot, I change my verdict to "Yes - go for it!"
Sir Madog As Mr. B. is also looking into getting a Bi-Polar and maybe a Little Joe to boot, I change my verdict to "Yes - go for it!"
Well, there you have it. It is unanimous.
Rich
Alton Junction
Good going Mr. Beasley!
Years back I became interested in the Broadway Limited GG1, but continually put it off. Then eventually when production stopped, the units were selling for $300+ on ebay. Add to my "missing out", MTH winds up with the BLI GG1's tooling & molds. Now MTH's "Protosound" version sells for over $400 msrp.
After Bachmann introduced their affordable GG1, I posted a thread on another forum asking for opinions from owners. The feedback was positive, overall, and I decided to go for it. It was $159.99 from MB Klein for the sound version. I chose the Dk Green with the large single stripe as this was the scheme that the majority of the Gs were in during the late 1960s. Although there is an error on this particular version (yellow letters on the large keystone herald instead of white) it's a beauty and I'm happy with it. It will be used for my "Alcladded" version of the Seaboard Coast Line Champion.
Curious........you stated that you model the Milwaukee Road, yet I've seen photos of you running classic NYC subway cars. If you dabble in 1960s-70s northeastern traction, then adding a GG1 to your heavy rail fleet would seem appropriate.
Which version are you getting? Pennsy? Penn Central?
"I like my Pullman Standards & Budds in Stainless Steel flavors, thank you!"
I would strongly suggest the AHM/Rivarossi GG-1. Of all the prototypes made by other manufacturers in any gauge, the HO scale Rivarossi comes the closest and as accurate as possible to the real one both in scale and detail. It's performance and durability for the price is impeccable. It is a quiet, powerful smooth runner. Those who have them can vouch for me. Mostly the main reason why I've collected close to 100 units and have at least one of each of the 12 AHM/Rivarossi made. For you doubters, there were 12 versions of the GG-1 mfd by Rivarossi for AHM not 11. Do not confuse the AHM units manufactured after the Rivarosssi demise from AHM. Good luck and go with your heart!
richhotrainWell, there you have it. It is unanimous.
Not quite. I'm of the school where I have a stake in the ground that approximately defines my era, my locale, and my rolling stock. So when I have the urge to run off after my latest desire to accumulate something, the chain attached to that stake tightens around my neck and jerks me back to reality.
I'm in agreement with Maxman regarding my own layout. The NYC J1e doesn't get run when "witnesses" are present I was floored when I visited the GG1 in the Penn. museum at how tiny the cab was!!! It wasn't much bigger than a phone booth-couldn't have been comfortable.
I've drawn the line at non era/locale specific/correct locos after the J2e, but we all have our loves of "the forbidden". I've "extended" the lines for SP and Sana Fe further N. than they ran, but they're still "neighbor" roads to my locale and "justified".
I live near Milwaukee Road's electrified line in the Pacific N.W. I'd like to see a Little Joe and Bi-Polar from someone other than MTH come along.
Jim
Raised on the Erie Lackawanna Mainline- Supt. of the Black River Transfer & Terminal R.R.
Yes, I stretch reality a bit, but don't we all?
The subways, though they look like NYC cars, belong to the Moose Bay Transit Authority. The stations on the line are South Ferry (from New York,) Scollay Square (from Boston) and Penny Lane and Saint Anne Street, named after my wife and daughter.
If I thought I'd always be able to buy a GG-1, I'd wait until I saw what I had for a trainroom in the future. But, with the "you snooze, you lose" culture of 21st century train buying, I figured I should get one while I could, and worry about the future when the future gets here.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
Mr. Beasley,
Which version are you getting?
MisterBeasley ........................ But, with the "you snooze, you lose" culture of 21st century train buying, I figured I should get one while I could, and worry about the future when the future gets here.
........................ But, with the "you snooze, you lose" culture of 21st century train buying, I figured I should get one while I could, and worry about the future when the future gets here.
As a modeler of the roads along the Columbia River, I say NO to a GG1. You must not seccumb to the dreaded fun-monster.
And please ignore those two Virginian rectifiers behind my curtain. Oh, yeah, and the Acela train.
But except for that, ABSOLUTELY NO.
And, to be a continuing contrarian, I'd strongly recommend picking up the following--my fave Milw electrics:
Oh, all right. You can get a G first, if you must. Just to placate the fun-monster.
Ed
Mr B,
With the order placed, that seems to have settled the question. However, there remains the location for the new layout. As for Dave's suggestion of NH, it would keep you close to skiing, your local shop would be only a state away, though if you went to Dave country, it would be an excursion and you could still get to the Amherst show without too much trouble. As for the actual structure to hold the layout, make sure the realtor knows you want a large cellar, center stairway, covered by something your wife will enjoy playing in.
When we rebuilt after a fire, the basement was perfect for a large layout, just I hadn't given thoughts for such, as the old house basement was a hostile environment for a layout. The wife designated a second floor space for the train room, so I was expecting to go there and too busy working to think about using the cellar. (Hadn't found the forums for suggestions either.) Set the basement up for other needs. (Plan could have been mmodified.) Then son returned home, train room gone, only a small space in the basement available. When you find your new space, claim it quickly with sufficient materials to make it unwelcome to other uses.
Good luck house hunting, enjoy your GG-1, whether it fits or not, druthers based on memories are powerful things.
Have fun,
Richard
AntonioFP45 asked: Which version are you getting?
This one!
Mine is in HO, of course, but the Bachmann site uses this O-gauge picture as an illustration.
Sound and DCC.
Mr B.
I know I'm late to this party, so I'll be brief.
My prototype preference is no secret. All but one of my conventional-pantograph catenary motors are 1:80 scale models of 42 inch gauge prototypes.
The exception is a GG1.
The Pennsy motor is my clearance checker. It has no problem running under the same (virtual) catenary as my JNR motors and EMU sets. Most of the time it lives in a display case, but it has been known to hand off a standard JNR passenger consist - to either a Niagara or a N&W J...
Chuck (Modeling Central Japan in September, 1964 - sort of)
According to Trainworld, my GG-1 is on its way and will arrive sometime today.
#4876, the model in the Bachmann photo, had a bad day in 1953:
Thanks to a mis-set brake valve in the trailing passenger train, the train had minimal braking as it approached Washington, DC's Union Station. It crashed through the bumper post and through the wall, then collapsed the floor inside the station. There were no fatalities, and only 6 people were hurt badly enough to require hospitalization. The engine crew of 2 climbed out under their own power.
#4876 was disassembled, moved to Altoona and re-built. She served for another 30 years, and now is on display in the B&O Museum.
MisterBeasley According to Trainworld, my GG-1 is on its way and will arrive sometime today.
So, Mr. B., are you excited or what???
I am, and I didn't even buy it.
Will you be waiting out by the curb for GiGi?
richhotrain inquired: So, Mr. B., are you excited or what???
Yes, but this is hockey night, so my date with Gigi will have to wait until tomorrow.
"Out for delivery," according to UPS.
Unfortunately, I understand 4876 is not currently displayed at the B&O Museum. Last I heard, it was stored off-site in deplorable condition.
As for the original question, I've recently bought N scale equipment, O scale equipment, an HO scale Northern Pacific ten-wheeler, and several other items that I'll never be able to justify on my planned HO layout based on Northern Ohio in the 1950's. I have an AHM cab-forward, and I'd like to replace it with a new one from Intermountain. So who am I to suggest you shouldn't get the GG-1??????
MisterBeasley richhotrain inquired: So, Mr. B., are you excited or what??? Yes, but this is hockey night, so my date with Gigi will have to wait until tomorrow. "Out for delivery," according to UPS.
Where are your priorities???
richhotrain demanded rhetorically: Where are your priorities???
I have been playing hockey on Tuesday nights since the early 1970s, back when this guy named Orr played for the Bruins. My wife knows that Tuesday is hockey night. Gigi will have to learn.
MisterBeasley richhotrain demanded rhetorically: Where are your priorities??? I have been playing hockey on Tuesday nights since the early 1970s, back when this guy named Orr played for the Bruins. My wife knows that Tuesday is hockey night. Gigi will have to learn.
Gigi showed up last night after I left for hockey. I found her on my desk when I got home just before midnight. As late as it was, I unpacked the box and just put her on a free track on my layout. I didn't power up.
Gigi is number 4913.
MisterBeasley Gigi showed up last night after I left for hockey. I found her on my desk when I got home just before midnight. As late as it was, I unpacked the box and just put her on a free track on my layout. I didn't power up. Gigi is number 4913.
So, I stayed up all night, I couldn't sleep................waiting for a pic of GiGi................nothing.
Plus, you failed to note that the Bruins won 3-0.
richhotrain complained: So, I stayed up all night, I couldn't sleep................waiting for a pic of GiGi................nothing.
Tonight, tonight, won't be just any night....
No, wait...
When your sparkle turns to fire,
When you're running under wire,
What miracle has made you the way you are?
Cut the crap and post pics.
Gigi, am I a fool without a mind
Or have I merely been too blind to realize
Oh, Gigi, why you've been growing up before my very eyes
I'm at work. Pics later. Let the anticipation build.
MisterBeasley I'm at work. Pics later. Let the anticipation build.
OK, we'll give you 12 hours. No more excuses. No more delays.
richhotrainGigi, am I a fool without a mind Or have I merely been too blind to realize Oh, Gigi, why you've been growing up before my very eyes
Is that supposed to be poetry or RAP. If it is supposed to be poetry, don't quit your day job.
maxman chimed in: Is that supposed to be poetry or RAP. If it is supposed to be poetry, don't quit your day job.
""Gigi" is the title song from the 1958 Academy Award-winning film, directed by Vincente Minnelli. It was written by Frederick Loewe and Alan Jay Lerner, sung by Louis Jourdan in the film. It then went on to win the Academy Award for Best Original Song in 1958." -- Wikipedia
I remember 1958.
OK, here is Gigi...
This is a beautiful engine right out of the box. The horn is perfect, but I'll probably drop the volume just a bit. Likewise, I want to kick up the momentum to smooth out the stops and starts. She easily navigates 18-inch curves in HO, with a train in tow.