command control gg1's

Yes, if you added catenary, you can't use the pantographs for antennas.  You could float the shell and use the whole shell like is done for many steamer tenders, that works very well.  Since the pantographs would be isolated from the shell already, that should work.

I did not think that both pantographs were used.

You can use one of the pantographs, but if you choose to wire them both, you need an alternative.  Besides, the big shell makes a better TMCC antenna.

Thanks John, I like the idea of isolating the shell, but I think the mounting screws are metric, I have the plastic washers, just need the screws...

Marty

Yep, finding the plastic metric screws may be a trick, but I have to believe they're available. Maybe someone in the forum here has a source, I'd like to find a few as well.

FWIW, I use Kapton tape to isolate shells, it's really thin and tough, so it doesn't affect the fit of the shell.

Who's engine are we talking about?  I think the MTH stuff actually has SAE screws, much to my surprise.  I've floated several MTH tender shells, and my standard SAE plastic screws worked perfectly.

MTH GG1's do not have any antenna and the pans are ready to be used as power pickups.  To change over, you just need to switch the wires from the pickup rollers to the provided pan connection.  No additional parts are needed.  This applies to all MTH electric profile locomotives.

We haven't established what command system they have Pat, that's something I'd like to know.   If they're MTH, there's no problem, but if they're TMCC, that's when the antennas come into play.

It is Lionel's TMCC...

Marty

And so, it will need an antenna.