I call upon you, my most trusted friends and advisors, with a question.
Should I buy a GG-1?
I model the Milwaukee, in both the steam and diesel eras. I have some trolleys and subways, but no electrified main lines on the surface.
I had a Lionel GG-1 when I was a kid. It was my favorite.
No, I'm hoping to retire in the next six months or so. Part of the plan is to leave Taxachusetts and downsize, or at least "downcost," to another home. My layout will be dismantled, but hopefully rise like a Phoenix in a new trainroom, even bigger (but probably not as nice) as the present one. The new, reconfigured layout should have at least some electrified main line. The new "operational concept" would have the occasional train arrive, pulled by a GG-1, and the motive power swapped out for the rest of its trip. "Gigi" would shuffle off to a siding to await her trip home.
Bachmann now has GG-1s with sound, and I've seen them for a pretty good price and free shipping. What do you think? Should I buy one of these now, purely in anticipation of future fun? Or should I wait and see if my dream comes true first, before I buy a locomotive to go along with it?
Thanks.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
I've been contemplating a GG1 as well. Spent quite a bit of time around them in the late 70's and early 80's in and around Harrisburg PA. I don't have catenary on my layout but I do have a really good imagination and can visualize it being there. I have a poor running AHM GG1 and several E33's...the Bachmann GG1is really tempting.
I'm thinking on a diorama...Model Memories makes some incredible looking catenary...and simply making a display piece. This might be something for you to consider also...and maybe integrate it into that dream later.
Partly for me...I'm bringing the east to the west.
Just some thoughts.
Mark H
Modeling in HO...Reading and Conrail together in an alternate history.
Go for it! Reguardless what you end up doing, you can still enjoy your GG1 just because you really want one. If you like you can get a plastic display case to keep it in and decorate you layout room with it and still take it out and run it when ever you want just to enjoy. Too many times i've passed on things I really would have enjoyed having just because it did not fit in. It's ok to treat ourselves every now and then especially when it gives us a good childhood memory like your Lional GG1. Ralph
Mr. B,
Shoulda', woulda', coulda'. You only live once, If you can do it, then share your happiness, with others.
Frank
-Ken in Maryland (B&O modeler, former CSX modeler)
Go for it. Check You Tube for videos. About $170.00 with sound. SoundTraxxx makes the decoder.
The horizontal gold bands-”cat whiskers”-were suggested by Lowey to reflect light make them more visible to track maintenance crews; they were so quiet in the early days of their operation. there were a number of accidents.
The GG1 was known to be able to sneak up on track crews.
You can check the Bachmann forums also.
Rich
If you ever fall over in public, pick yourself up and say “sorry it’s been a while since I inhabited a body.” And just walk away.
Mister Beasley,
I have the same dilemma and have the money to do it; but, I don't have overhead catenary. I have a Rivarossi GG1 that runs pretty good and some Pennsy passenger cars. I was ready to buy the new Bachmann and then thought about it some more. I too can imagine the overhead wires and may still do it. I had 4 or 5 of the Rivarossi GG-1's and sold all but one. It was always one of my favorite locos, I used to see them in New Jersey many years ago.
Woulda, coulda, yea do it! Now, what color?? Burgandy or Green?
-Bob
Life is what happens while you are making other plans!
"One difference between pessimists and optimists is that while pessimists are more often right, optimists have far more fun."
See the LION in a Tunnel. The Tunnel members are made of 1/16th" copper coated steel welding rods. A one pound package has 36 three foot lenghts for about $7.00
Betcha we could make some nice cats with that stuff.
ROAR
The Route of the Broadway Lion The Largest Subway Layout in North Dakota.
Here there be cats. LIONS with CAMERAS
I think there are certain iconic locomotives which appeal to the latent or suppressed "collector" element in just about any modeler, even the most disciplined -- sometimes even an engine in a different scale caters to that whim. The Big Boy is one, and yeah I'd say the GG1 is another. Beyond that -- maybe things like the NYC 999 and Hudson, the Burlington Pioneer Zephyr, SP Daylight, and perhaps the North Shore Electroliner. There is nothing shameful about it so I say, do it.
Dave Nelson
LION has two Rivarossi GG-1s. They ran good in their day, but have not turned a wheel in years. They will make there apperance at my Penn Station display, which will be a static display on my layout.
Mr. B, my place in the hobby, now a dizzying height of nine whole years (yikes!), is one of appeal. I have no aspirations to be admired in magazines for my outstanding ability in any of the several skills and compositions of them. I just want to run trains in a safe place where some several tens of hours have yielded me a reasonably nice layout that looks somewhat realistic.
When I decide to purchase a locomotive, I do it because of some gut appeal it has for me. That leaves me open to enjoy the hobby as my gut tells me, not as other standards, formalities, or organizational rules say I should. I can have an Allegheny 2-6-6-6 sitting in my yard beside a UP 2-10-2 if it serves me. If I want them to pass on a curve in opposite directions, or traveling in the same direction, I do that.
All this to say I get it...I get the sentimental yearning, and the opportunity you'd hate to miss with this new deal, has for you. You feel the time has come, and you should swing into action. If not, you may have to succumb to the increasing temptation in a couple of years when the market makes them all but impossible for you to afford...if they are still available.
What does it take these days to help you to maintain that spark? Your layout is long-since established, and at long last it is about to be dismantled. You may or may not elect to restore it to its former place in your (new) home, but that will only happen if everything else goes to plan over the next eight months. It almost never does. I'd give it an even 50/50 you'll end up starting over. I don't know you, though...maybe you'll win this round.
Maybe this one locomotive will restore some zip for you. It's not a large outlay. It's not brass. It has sound, and I'm sure you have been active in that market for some time. If you end up deciding that it was a mistake, regardless of the reason, you can always sell it or gift it.
I average a couple of locomotives a year, although it is increasingly hard to keep getting them with any justification. I have one coming perhaps this year that I ordered five years ago, the BLI Hybrid 4-12-2. It keeps getting put off, but I get the sense BLI wants to move on it finally. If so, it will be my only one this year, and my last for several years unless I sell some others that still have their value.
Good luck, whatever your decision. The only rationality that should go into a hobby lies in the economics of it. Everything else should be pure whimsy and emotion.
When you leave Taxachusetts, consider New Hampshire. It's worked well for me. As for the GG1, if the pleasure of ownership outweighs the cost, go for it. I have an ABBA set of ALCO FA/FB cab units, even though my modeled home road (B&M) never owned any. I had an AA set of Lionel ALCOs painted for Union Pacific as a child.
David Starr www.newsnorthwoods.blogspot.com
BroadwayLion See the LION in a Tunnel. The Tunnel members are made of 1/16th" copper coated steel welding rods. A one pound package has 36 three foot lenghts for about $7.00 Betcha we could make some nice cats with that stuff. ROAR
This hobby is all about fun. If we made all of our choices based on what makes sense, it would be a job. If a GG1 makes you happy, go for it.
For what it's worth, I think the GG1 is the coolest of all non-steam locos.
Phil, I'm not a rocket scientist; they are my students.
MisterBeasley, come on now. You know you want it. You'll probably regret not buying it, so, what are you waiting for? I have the same affliction when I see an engine that really catches my eye. My collection consists of steam, diesel, electrics, trolleys, pcc cars and subways. I have a couple of the Milwaukee E-5 bi-polars that, to me, just had a strange appeal. I don't have any catenary wire, but my mind's eye is blind to that fact. Enjoy your purchase!
Eric
Mr. B. I model Western roads but having grown up in N.J., and having a poor version of a Marx Hudson, I succumbed to the BLI Je1. I saw a lot of GG1s and made it a point to visit one at the Pennsyvania R.R. Museum.
I too have a "jones" for Bachmann's GG1 out of nostalgia. If I didn't have to put every penny into continuing the layout build, I'd probably consider one too. (Color Me Tuscan). Considering batch ordering, pre-ordering and other evils of our times, I'd encourage you to get one now as you might not see them again for half a decade.
Jim
Raised on the Erie Lackawanna Mainline- Supt. of the Black River Transfer & Terminal R.R.
I bought a GG1 for my Broadway Limited so YES. I was also of buying one in Conrail 1976-1776 and Amtrak version.
When the time comes I'll be buying a Union Pacific Big Boy numbered 4004. When it's made.
Amtrak America, 1971-Present.
Mr B.
I too live in the same sorry state of taxachussettes. But I do model the great PRR in steam and early diesels. I have contemplated a G for a long time until I see them run on the clubs layout without cantenary. They just look too silly reaching for the invisible wires. Its like running a steamer without a coaling station or water spout. If you put the wires up then go for it. If no wires then its up to you.
I pray every day I break even, Cause I can really use the money!
I started with nothing and still have most of it left!
I grew up in New York and vividly remember the GG1's. Even though I model northern California and southern Oregon, I have been tempted to buy the Kato Broadway Limited set. I have seen it run on various layouts at the Timonium Md train show and it is a correct and beautiful train.
Ira
Buy it.
I love my GG1, first S scale engine I bought. It doesn't fit with anything else I'm doing and I have no catenary. But some engines are just cool to have and run.
Enjoy
Paul
I wouldsuggests getting it now if you want it. Even if you don't have an electrified main line, you could run it with a diesel and rewrite history to say that a few GG-1s were modified to receive power from an diesel electric when not running on electrified lines, so it basically is a slug on nonelectrified mainlines. Or just forget being trying to be prototypical, and just have fun and run what you want. Its YOUR railroad, don't worry about the rivet counters.
If you don't like the look of it running without the overhead wires, you can always add them later
MisterBeasley Or should I wait and see if my dream comes true first, before I buy a locomotive to go along with it?
Mr.B,They say if you snooze you loose. You can always put the Goo-Goo 1 in a display case for that future layout.
To be sure I've waited to buy a certain model and now they're long out of stock and as hard to find as a needle in a hay stack..
Buy now or you may lament later.
Larry
Conductor.
Summerset Ry.
"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt Safety First!"
MisterBeasley Bachmann now has GG-1s with sound, and I've seen them for a pretty good price and free shipping. What do you think? Should I buy one of these now, purely in anticipation of future fun? Or should I wait and see if my dream comes true first, before I buy a locomotive to go along with it?
Mister Beasley, if you listen closely, I believe that Walt Disney is calling to you from his grave to buy Gigi.
When you wish upon a star
Makes no difference who you are
Anything your heart desires
Will come to you
If your heart is in your dream
No request is too extreme
As dreamers do
Fate is kind
She brings to those who love
The sweet fulfillment of
Their secret longing
Like a bolt out of the blue
Fate steps in and sees you through
Your dreams come true
Alton Junction
Mr. Beasley, only you can answer that question (should I buy a GG1)..........
But may I suggest.......... you model the Milwaukee, and as I understand they had some very impressive boxcabs that traveled on the line to the west coast thru the Rockies. To me, that would be very impressive to model.
The GG1s were impressive as well, but basically an urban locomotive in an urban setting.
Just something to think about...............
ENJOY !
Mobilman44
Living in southeast Texas, formerly modeling the "postwar" Santa Fe and Illinois Central
I say
For haven´s sake, everybody is agreeing to you, because the GG1 is a nice looking loco and certainly a "landmark" loco as well. If I were to make up that decision, I´d forget buying a GG1 and get a Milwaukee Road Bi-Polar instead!
Thank you, one and all. The order has been placed.
If I do have the space for a true electrified line in my retirement home, Ulrich, I may get both the Bi-Polar and the Little Joe. But, they are only made by MTH, that I know of, and that could present compatability problems.
Swedish Custom painter and model maker. My Website:
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MisterBeasley Thank you, one and all. The order has been placed.
Ahhh, Mr. B., Walt would be pleased. We need pics of course.
Sir MadogFor haven´s sake, everybody is agreeing to you, because the GG1 is a nice looking loco and certainly a "landmark" loco as well.
Actually,I'm the oddball I guess since I never liked the Goo-Goo 1 or any electrified locomotive..
I never would agree to buy one but,if Mr.B wants one then I will encourage him to buy it before they're long gone or cheapen as far as quality.