Lionel postwar GG1-a salute!

It will in 50 years after it's broken in.  Allowing, of course, that the electronics hold up.

You know as well as I do that the electronics will not hold up with these circuit boards for 50 years.  When the electronics fail, I will simply pull that stuff out and put in an older E-unit and have it rewired like the postwar one.

BINGO.

My 8753 is just getting broken in.  It's a beast for pulling power.  And it will still run in 70+ years from now w/o any modification(it's been "pickled" with all synthetic lubricants).

robert bradley, jr.: In an effort to help your newer GGI run a bit better, look for lubrication in the truck gearboxes and also lube the lower bearings/bushings at the bottom of the motor. The top wick is not the only place that needs oil for the armature to run free. In addition, be sure that the axle bushings are oiled as well. Finally, some of the motors were assembled with a spacer washer placed in the wrong place. The spacer washer was to go between the frame and the power truck, but instead was placed on top of the frame next to the motor.  This lets the wheels from the power truck to rub against the bottom side of the frame and cause drag. Re-setting the spacer helps to allow the wheels to turn more freely, and greatly improves performance. Hope this might help.Dennis M.

Thanks Dennis!  I will do that.

I worked on a GG1 from that time period a while back. I remember the magnet for the magnatraction was glued in off center and the wheels would rub causing poor performance.

franktrain

As per Franktain above.  I recently serviced a poor running modern era G for my local train shop.  Two of the magnets were staked where they would rub against the wheels (this one built in Mich).  I had to reposition and used a new "Professional" Super Glue by Locktite to secure.  Runs great now.

Hi Rob:

My 8753 also ran and pulled well until the plastic gears stripped.

Bill

My new GG1 runs fine from the Z-4000 at a minimum of 16 volts.  It can pull a 35 car freight up a 3% grade also, but begins to slow down due to loss of power from the older Lionel transformer.  I don't think the placement of the magnets has anything to do with this. The same thing occurs with only 4 madison cars on level grade.  The headlight stays on while it slows to a crawl and stop with the older transformers.  When I blast the horn, it also loses power (slows down) with these transformers.  With the Z-4000, I can blast the horn and it keeps its speed up.