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Wobbly Williams GG1 Shell

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  • Member since
    May 2008
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Wobbly Williams GG1 Shell
Posted by aceape on Monday, June 8, 2009 7:51 AM

Good Morning All,

I have several Williams/Bachmann semi-scale GG1's, and for some reason the shells seem to all wobble (like a bobblehead) to some degree as if there is a loose screw somewhere between the shell and the frame.  I have checked the screws that hold the shell to the frame and they are not loose.  Does anyone have this same problem and can recommend a fix?  Do the shells on the Lionel GG1's have this same problem?

Thanks,

Bernard 

  • Member since
    March 2009
  • From: Central Texas
  • 318 posts
Posted by Texas Pete on Monday, June 8, 2009 8:35 AM

   The same is true for my W/B EP5, the frame wobbles on the trucks, but I think that it may be a design "feature" to assist the loco in negotiating O31 curves and/or rough track.

"You can’t study the darkness by flooding it with light."  - Edward Abbey -

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Posted by SPFan on Monday, June 8, 2009 10:51 AM

 Its normal for the shell and frame to wobble on the trucks but if the frame moves relative to the shell then you need to check for pinched wires between the shell and the frame. With eight screws holding the two together, there shouldn't be any movement.

 

 

Pete

  • Member since
    May 2001
  • From: Sacramento, CA
  • 109 posts
Posted by steinmike on Monday, June 8, 2009 8:21 PM

 

I have a few Williams engines (including the semi-scale GG-1's, although they are all pre-Bachmann production) and have not noticed any problems with wobbling - the GG-1 is a tall engine and if your trackwork is uneven that could cause it to wobble.  You might want to put a small level on a flat car and push it slowly along the track where the wobbling occurs.  If you have tubular track, the wobbling could be caused by overtightened screws.

Good luck!

Mike 

  • Member since
    January 2005
  • From: Lake Worth FL
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Posted by phillyreading on Tuesday, June 9, 2009 3:07 PM

I have some larger Williams(pre-Bachman) engines, SD-45's and have not noticed any wobbling, even my GP-9's, a.k.a. jack-rabbits, run smooth!  

Have you checked the area where the truck meets the frame? Maybe it is a design flaw that you will have to live with.

Lee F.

Interested in southest Pennsylvania railroads; Reading & Northern, Reading Company, Reading Lines, Philadelphia & Reading.
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Posted by aceape on Monday, June 15, 2009 8:55 PM

Thanks for the info.  I think it is a design flaw on this particuliar engine.  Not a big deal, unless the engine is moving faster.

Bernard 

  • Member since
    May 2008
  • 42 posts
Posted by aceape on Monday, June 15, 2009 8:57 PM

Thank you one and all for your responses!!

  • Member since
    October 2003
  • 390 posts
Posted by SPFan on Tuesday, June 16, 2009 2:06 PM

 Sorry if this seems obvious but did you check the flat head philps screws under each truck for tightness? One is under the pick up roller assembly.

 

Pete

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