I finally managed to grab two sets of frames for my two GG1s during an "in stock" period and they look good. Although I don't need them at the moment as I managed to find some non-crumbling die cast ones awhile back, I feel much better about knowing I won't be stuck with two $400+ paperweights should the time come that those die cast replacements also fail (if they haven't already since the last time they were out of the box a year ago). Thanks for taking on this project Henning's and all involved!
Hennings and all involved in this project is owed a big THANK YOU for stepping up to do something good for the hobby!!!
I need some help on this topic please.
I purchased the GG1 Penn Single Stripe 6-18354 a few years after it was initially produced. I'm pretty sure I picked it up at York. Have always loved the GG1 and especially the scale version that was produced by Lionel for this JLC offering.
I was very excited to bring this loco home and get it on my layout to stretch its legs.
Unfortunately, the front truck fell right off the tracks at the very first curve. (072 Radius)
I was never able to solve this issue and make this loco run on my layout.
I just looked at the truck sideframes and they don't appear to be "rotten", but its hard to tell without them removed.
So two questions:
1) Doe this seem like a zinc rot could be causing this?
2) How can i check to be sure?
I'm all for buying the new plastic sideframes if the experts here think it will help.
Thanks,
Chris
Pictures of the damage, and closeups of the sideframes (in focus please).
I don't see any damage, but my eye may not be trained well enough to notice.
I'll get some pics later tonight.
Chris
John,
Here are the requested pictures.
let me know if you see anything out of order.
Thanks
Chris
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FWIW, the problem part is the power truck sideframes, not the pilot trucks. This is the place you should be checking very closely.
This is what the replacement powered truck side-frames look like.
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John,
Yes I'm aware the power truck sideframes are where the issue is occuring.
I included the pictures of the pilot trucks for completeness.
Has anyone experienced derailing of the loco due to the distorted sideframes?
Chris
I suppose it's possible that if they're warped they'd cause derailments, but i would think it would be fairly obvious by then. There's quiet a bit of "slop" in the pilot truck mount that should accommodate some warp without derailing. If the power truck sideframes aren't bowed/warped and/or showing any signs of cracking and crumbling, you likely don't have the problem. I know my #4925 single-strip version is fine, however some of the same style have had the bad sideframes. It's apparently the luck of the draw what you have, and maybe mine are crumbling quietly on the shelf as we speak. 
Have you tried running it through a different O72 curve, or turning the GG-1 180 degrees and try running through the curve in reverse?
A quick video clip of a closeup of the pilot truck as it derails would be helpful.
I have several of the JLC GG1s and the photos posted do not show the side frame issue. There is something else that is causing the front pilot trucks to derail.
Check to see if the front (or rear) lead trucks move from side to side within the constraints of the mounting brackets which are attached to the pilot. As John said, there is "slop" that allows the front pilot and the attached lead trucks to move a bit more independent from the main drive trucks as it turns the corners.
Also check the independent movement of the front pilot with the front/rear lead trucks on the track. With the engine on the track, manually move the pilot (which contains the coupler) sided to side. It should move close to a 1/2" on either side from center. If anything is binding, you found the problem.
Hope this helps.
D.
Dave / Tony,
I plan to do more research tonight on the problem.
I'll take a closer look at the front / rear trucks and possibly make a video of the derailing issue on 072 curves.
(Interesting thought Tony about reversing the engine to see if I get the same issue. I'll give it a try.)
I'll let you know what I find.
Thanks for all the help!
I for sure want to get this shelf queen moving.
Chris
I know it's been a while, but is there any chance that the replacement frames are still available? Couldn't seem to find them anywhere on Henning's site.
There has been a "glitch" in the production of the frames, they are supposed to still be available at some point, but I'm still waiting for a set myself.
Silver JCL 4866 GG1 ran on 054 Ross curves until I replaced rotted side trucks with Lionel parts. Had disconnected rubber tubbing but no other mods. Lionel Parts fit but not identical so with some filing got it to approximate clearances as on original die cast rotted side frames. Now works ok on 054 including 054-072 Ross switches. Level road bed/ ballast essential particularly on curves. Some paint rubbed off pilot truck facing wheel.
@gunrunnerjohn posted:There has been a "glitch" in the production of the frames, they are supposed to still be available at some point, but I'm still waiting for a set myself.
Are you free to describe the glitch?
I believe the guy doing them is having to make a new mold as his old one is worn out. That's the last word I got.
@gunrunnerjohn posted:I believe the guy doing them is having to make a new mold as his old one is worn out. That's the last word I got.
I hate to jump on the annoying bandwagon, but is there any update on these trucks? I could really use a set.
I'll post if I found out anything. Since I'm also waiting for a set, I do have a dog in this fight. 
Just a quick question…I have my eye on a JLC GG1 right now…what’s the odds of it being all rotted? Pics of it look ok. Should I just avoid them completely and do a Legacy one? Sorry if question has been asked before. I couldn’t seem to find an answer going through the six pages.
thanks TJ
See if the Legacy Boards are available from Lionel in the event they need replacing later. If not wait for new production. I’m praying my JLC boards last as they are obsoleted by Lionel. This happened to my Lionmaster T1 and I’m out of luck. MTH might release boards again but none now.
@theteejmiester posted:Just a quick question…I have my eye on a JLC GG1 right now…what’s the odds of it being all rotted? Pics of it look ok. Should I just avoid them completely and do a Legacy one? Sorry if question has been asked before. I couldn’t seem to find an answer going through the six pages.
My latest information on the replacement GG1 sideframes is they're not likely to appear any time soon, the guy that's doing them has not come up with any schedule for resuming production. That being the case, I wouldn't buy any Lionel JLC GG1 that I couldn't personally inspect or that didn't have an ironclad return warranty with no out of pocket costs.
@theteejmiester posted:Just a quick question…I have my eye on a JLC GG1 right now…what’s the odds of it being all rotted? Pics of it look ok. Should I just avoid them completely and do a Legacy one? Sorry if question has been asked before. I couldn’t seem to find an answer going through the six pages.
thanks TJ
While some of them still seem OK, there's no guarantee they'll stay that way. Unless it's an "offer you can't refuse", you should probably look elsewhere. I could have picked one up for around $170 (with already rotted frames), but without replacement part availability for the foreseeable future, I passed. YMMV...
Appreciate the advice. I think I’ll pass on this one. They want 500 for it. Pics look good. But I don’t wanna risk it as they have a no return’s policy. I’ll look at a newer Lionel version.
thanks
TJ
I own 3 JLC examples from the first year of production. None show signs of degradation and from reported complaints here, the problem frames seem to be confined to later JLC production. Those appearing to be unaffected are, 6-18354, 6-18355, 6-18356.
Bruce
Photo posted here by others shows cab 4916 Tuscan single stripe with bad trucks. Lionel parts web site photo shows this as 6-18354. I have silver PRR 6-18374 with bad trucks. Problem might be random regardless of production run. I got new ones from Lionel and they were slightly different. Originals had more clearance and would allow 054 curves. Lionel said specs are 072. Which version Hennings used ?
I have the 6-18372 #4925 and I see no signs at all of zinc rot on the frames. I've even had one of the frames off to test the Henning's replacements, and close inspection showed no issues.
I think it all rides on who mixed the ingredients on a particular batch on a particular day and which shells they went under. Same issue w/K-Line PPR log dump car. Had one rot another did not. Same with Railking Overton Coach couplers. Replacements from MTH ok. I call it Dorfanning.
@All command posted:Which version Hennings used ?
I honestly don't know what specific locomotive they used for their molds, I wasn't there for that stage of the process. I know they fit my GG1 perfectly, that was the object of my exercise. I didn't even remove the shell, all the work was from below.
Lionel replacements fit fine but without a few mods would derail on 054 Ross. Sent photos comparing 2 versions but L. said 072 period. Washers under longer mounting screws, grommet on the lead truck studs, disconnect the air line tubing, and a little dremmeling worked. Williams did a scale size GG1 and truck tooling allowed 042 Ross. Their trucks swing out from under the shell much more. These mods allow the same but electro coupler wires are too short on my JLC for anything less than 054.
@All command posted:Photo posted here by others shows cab 4916 Tuscan single stripe with bad trucks. Lionel parts web site photo shows this as 6-18354.
Those photos never conclusively showed a truck frame issue, something the owner couldn't identify just by examining them. I suspect his derailing problems, which he was trying to diagnose was unrelated to zinc pest.
Bruce
True but the sample size needs to be bigger to draw a conclusion. Lionel and Hennings are sold out so barring further posts I think caution is in order. Hope I am proven wrong.
Shame to hear that the hennings trucks have entered development ****. I know this is a shot in the dark but if anyone has access to a 3D model of one I have a buddy who could mass 3D print them. I asked him before but his modeler is intimidated by the intricacies of modeling them from scratch. So I figure if someone has access to said model he could start pumping them out for us.
I think the sticking point is clearly an accurate 3D model. Also, note they're fairly large, and they need to be reasonably strong as they hold the pilot trucks and the couplers.
@gunrunnerjohn posted:I think the sticking point is clearly an accurate 3D model. Also, note they're fairly large, and they need to be reasonably strong as they hold the pilot trucks and the couplers.
Considering what I’ve seen this guy do and what I’ve bought from him in the past for some of my other hobbies, I know he can make them strong enough. If I had a non messed up set I’d probably pay a professional modeler at this point. I just want to see my GG1 run again.
I know this thread has been quiet for a while, but I was wondering if there had been any new replacement options for these JLC GG1s. I was gifted one that had never been opened, and I hoped I'd get lucky...which I did not. Are there any available options for replacement trucks out there?
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It's not off the table, but nothing has happened recently.
