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Gg1 frame needs straightening

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  • Member since
    November 2007
  • 447 posts
Posted by stuartmit on Friday, March 17, 2023 2:53 PM

My GG1 is running much better than it was, although I think it ought to be better. No doubt I think there May be frame damage, and that has given room for more vertical bounce on the pilot and lead trucks. However, I have 2 others and they donot run flawlessly either. 

Also, my frequent junctions of Gargraves and 022 switch rail are not helpful, but I do notice that sometimes the pilot derails in the middle of 022 switches--a problem that is not due to

muxining different manufacturers products.

But  the 2 weights have brought the loco back to be mostly reliable by reducing the bounce. 

 

I have seen mentioned in CTT that the GG1 pilots can be trouble because they are unweighted, and some steamers have exhibited the same trouble. 

To me, it is a design failure for what was sold as a toy to require a high degree of craftsmanship to perform in a way to be satisfying. I will cop to not being the  best craftsman; honestly I am a guy who would rather play with his trains than work on them! 

As usual, comments welcome--just be gentle regarding my last bit of candor. 

  • Member since
    March 2005
  • 1,512 posts
Posted by philo426 on Friday, March 17, 2023 4:05 PM

Post pics or better yet a video of it running!

  • Member since
    November 2007
  • 447 posts
Posted by stuartmit on Sunday, March 31, 2024 4:05 PM

Finally, after a year, I was able to locate a leading truck for a GG one that I can tell was not from the original years of manufacture in the mid-1950s. It does not have a coil coupler. But when I swapped it in, it did eliminate most problems that I have with the units operation, so I'm very pleased.

I also posted this information on a discussion of replacement springs, because one of the ideas which I had was that a small spring surrounding the hook on top of the truck might help damp down the bouncing.

But it does seem that the GG one and the turbine steamer as well. I have a truck which is prone to vertical movement which can lead to derailments.

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