Lionel 6-18313 Pennsylvania GG-1 Electric Locomotive #4907 w/TMCC

fisher doc - TMCC - Train Master Command Control.  It is one of Lionel's earlier remote control system, requiring a separately sold remote controller and TMCC interface unit to run TMCC equipped Lionel locomotives and accessories.   Lionel no longer manufactures neither of these technologies.   You can purchase them on E bay or perhaps here on the BUY/SELL thread.  

I " think" the Lionel Legacy system is backward compatible  with TMCC.  Some of the other more knowledgable folks here on the Forum will know better than I.  

As for the missing pantographs .... bummer!  

That's an ancient model that had no sound capability.  If it's missing parts, return it if you can, it's doing all it's going to do right now.   FWIW, Lionel has no more of those pantographs, so returning it looks like the ticket.

This is a dual-motored AC unit.  The motors doubtless need some TLC and it'll rocket down the rails.

The vast majority of the 6-18313 GG-1's had problems with the Magne-Traction magnets in the trucks rubbing against the back of the drive wheels, greatly hindering movement.

A forum search will yield the directions for correcting the problem.

TRW

Doc-if you like your GG-1, you may consider removing the TMCC and rewiring it with an electronic reverse unit.

I had an early Lionel TMCC GG-1 and it was a poor runner. My older conventional GG-1's are, as you say, speed demons.

I believe the pantographs serve as the antenna for TMCC. You need to have the pantographs on to make sure you get the TMCC signal.

Most parts dealers have repo pantographs that look and work like the originals.

Legacy will operate original TMCC locos without a problem.

Once you verify (and fix, if necessary) the possible magnet rubbing problem, and lube/oil the unit, it should run fine.

Also, you need to follow the TMCC instructions for "set speed". As with most TMCC locos, if it has not been "set" you may find you have to turn up your throttle close to max to get the GG1 to move. Once you have gone through the "set" steps, the loco should start as you turn the throttle and accelerate just like any other loco.

And, if you want to run conventional, the TMCC board will allow you to run conventional and the loco will work just like a conventional loco with an old fashioned e-unit. Just make sure you do NOT have a TMCC/Legacy base turned on, because the loco will sense the TMCC signal and will want to run on TMCC, not conventional.

@Don Winslow posted:

Doc-if you like your GG-1, you may consider removing the TMCC and rewiring it with an electronic reverse unit.

I had an early Lionel TMCC GG-1 and it was a poor runner. My older conventional GG-1's are, as you say, speed demons.

As Jeff correctly mentioned above, the electronics inside the 6-18313 will function just like a conventional reversing unit in conventional mode.

Removing the existing electronics and substituting a different electronic reverse unit won't likely get you anything.

TRW

The magnet rubbing problem is not uncommon and also occurred in the postwar GG1. In my Greenberg Repair and Operating Manual, page 164, it says, "...pry out the magnet and recement it in the correct position...".

I just took a look at my 18313 and mine is a keeper. The finish is perfect, the stripes are applied nicely, and the large PRR keystones on the sides look great.

Oh yes as far as looks the thing is nice. All I want to do is run it I don't need any sounds. I guess for that it is fine. Thanks!

Mine seems to run faster in conventional mode as opposed to TMCC mode. Has no sounds just control of speed and direction from TMCC. 

Well this one I have doesn't exactly run slow - just clearly slower than any other I have. It's probably fine as regular no frills GG1 which is what I wanted although a horn would have been nice but it don't matter - I have so many GG1's and none have batteries in them anyway! 

I have 2 of these beauties (PRR silver 18308 - #4866 and PRR green 18313 - #4907). Once I got the 18313's magnet problems corrected, it turns out to be a serious puller (13 freight cars at the moment) and speed demon. That thing flies, until I purchased the 18308. It feels heavier, but uses less throttle at the same speed of the 18313. The 18308 is pure conventional with the postwar type e unit lever on the roof. The 18313 is the last loco I will purchase that has a motherboard. I learned that one mistake of allowing static electricity to touch that board, the whole thing would be toast. Just have to be careful to ground it out. Very satisfied with both, they exceeded my expectations. Got my eye on another GG1 at a particular train shop - #2340. The only thing holding me back is the price ($500+). Patience...

As far as the missing pantographs and insulators go, I see them listed on eBay a lot. Not scarce at all.

I have just about every Lionel GG1 made from the 4907 back and I never paid more than $320 for any of them. As you say patient and wise shopping. AND they are in decent shape no basket cases. 

@jimboylan posted:

The wiring diagram does show the pantographs connected to the electronic board as antennae.

jimboylan

Note that the last reply is three years ago, hopefully the issue has been resolved.

Even though this is an old topic, it was useful to me, as I just bought one of these GG1s (18313 - 4907) and a similar one (18314 - 2332).

Various instruction sheets for these GG1s stress that to run off overhead wire, the pantographs must not be connected to each other, 1 is to be connected to power, the other to remain connected to the antenna lead, and that one should be securely fastened down, as it must never touch the live wire!

jimboylan