Is this normal behavior for a Weaver brass GG1?

There might be a problem with the pilot truck or its mounting. First, I would turn the G end-for-end and see if the problem occurs in that direction.

As for the sound board, you can probably pretty easily put a sound board in the GG1, that way you don't have to be pulling a boxcar in your passenger car consist.

@RadioRon posted:

It would be a good idea to include "Weaver brass" in your thread title question.  "Normal behavior for a GG-1" is overly broad.

Changed the title.

My first thoughts are:  Are the wheels "in gauge" and secure on their axles?  Also, is it possible that someone installed a front truck with small scale-sized flanges, intended for use on 2-rail track?  If it's only the leading truck that derails, just adding a tab of lead to the underside of it may help improve tracking.  Adding more weight in the loco won't address this problem.

Re: sound:  Lionel has made some RailSounds box cars over the years that have horn and bell.  Using one decorated to look like an REA reefer wouldn't be out of place on a passenger train.  Agree that there should be plenty of room for a sound board in the loco.  You will have to create a cut-out for the speaker.  If your loco doesn't currently have flywheel motors, Frank Timko does an excellent upgrade on these.  He might even sell you the motors so that you can install them yourself.  These are nice locos and worth upgrading!

@PRRMP54 posted:

There might be a problem with the pilot truck or its mounting. First, I would turn the G end-for-end and see if the problem occurs in that direction.

I seem to recall a fix posted quite a while ago for newer Lionel GG1 pilot trucks that would frequently derail. The newer GG1 trucks had "high speed" wheels installed on them (the wheel surface was angled). The fix was to replace the truck wheels/axles with Postwar wheels/axles. The wheel surface was flat. Anybody else recall that fix?

@Junior many years ago I had an MPC-era GG-1 with the fast-angle wheels, and yes, the lead truck "hunted."  It looked like a hula dancer shimmying it's way down the track.  Despite the wobble, it had no problem negotiating O27 curves and switches.  I would be really surprised if that's the issue with Michael's full-sized scale model.

@Junior posted:

I seem to recall a fix posted quite a while ago for newer Lionel GG1 pilot trucks that would frequently derail. The newer GG1 trucks had "high speed" wheels installed on them (the wheel surface was angled). The fix was to replace the truck wheels/axles with Postwar wheels/axles. The wheel surface was flat. Anybody else recall that fix?

Yes, I've heard of that fix as well, replace fast-angle wheels with postwar wheelsets and the truck hunting goes away. At least for Lionel's traditional-size GG-1's.

---PCJ

Thanks all, for your replies....

@PRRMP54 posted:

There might be a problem with the pilot truck or its mounting. First, I would turn the G end-for-end and see if the problem occurs in that direction.

Yes, and it might just need a little added weight above the truck and/or a stiffer spring

Which paint scheme did you get?  All of the Weaver GG1s outside of the DGLE and Tuscan 5 Stripe versions are setup for an optional QSI sound board which was the predecessor to Protosounds.  That would include all the single stripe PRR versions, Conrail, PC, and Amtrak. 

The original sounds included horn, bell, and blower sounds.  Ott also made a decent sounding board for electric locomotives that was sold with some Williams GG1s.  An easy install also. 

As for the lead truck derailing, I have not experienced that with mine.  My preference is to add a small weight to the top of the truck over a stiffer spring as that can sometimes lift the drive wheels up which is what happens on my 3rd Rail GG1s.  Conversely someone may have removed the original spring so a light gauge spring might solve the problem too.  Good luck!