Lionel Vision GG1 Pantograph Replacement Section

Unfortunately if parts are unavailable then you must repair it yourself. If nothing is missing and simply broken then try JBWeld. Experiment first with some scrap items laying around. It takes time to set up so an immediate grab will not happen. That’s why I suggest practicing on something first. 

JB Weld might work but I am not sure that it will conduct electricity.  Each side of that pantograph conducts power to the LED.  I do not know what material is used in the pantograph but the best solution would be to solder it, if possible.  At this point Lionel is not selling parts.

If you can prove that it was not your fault, the GG1 is still under warranty.  If not it will cost about $125 to get it fixed.

Let us know how it turns out.

Maybe you can solder back together.

I wish I could get it fixed by Lionel.  That was a non starter with them since this may have been my doing or actually a problem with the  internal mechanism that caused this. I am really not sure.  I have nothing on my layout where it would get snagged to cause this. Without a replacement pantograph section nothing will fix this. The "X" shaped piece in that one section is in a couple of pieces.  Lionel told me my warranty is now void so several other issue I had before this ever happened can no longer be covered either.  They told me that they are only accepting warranty repairs at this time but in either case they don't have a pantograph.    

Whistlebell1, a few months ago I bought a bunch of Lionel scale pantographs form a Lionel dealer. Can't remember their names but you might do a search for some parts. MTH and Lionel scale pans are the same so Im thinking they were made outside those companies. I use them on my small steeple car I sell. Don

I've repaired these before, the pantographs actually conduct power to the flickering lights on top. You would have  to  repair it with something that will continue the current. , I  happen to have a used pantograph that came off another VL GG1. The issue with it was it wasn't conducting power to the lights but it's fully intact. You're welcomed to it if you like, I'll post a picture of it in a few minutes. 

Alex

Alex M posted:

I've repaired these before, the pantographs actually conduct power to the flickering lights on top. You would have  to  repair it with something that will continue the current. , I  happen to have a used pantograph that came off another VL GG1. The issue with it was it wasn't conducting power to the lights but it's fully intact. You're welcomed to it if you like, I'll post a picture of it in a few minutes. 

Alex

Alex you have saved the day! . I would be more than happy to purchase this from you. Even if it does not flicker after I repair at least it will be a complete pantograph again.  It is a VL one as well which is even better.  What is the best way to contact you to work this out. I've been on the forum unfrequently over the years and is there a way to contact you directly? Not sure how this works.   

whistlebell1 posted:

Alex M posted:

I've repaired these before, the pantographs actually conduct power to the flickering lights on top. You would have  to  repair it with something that will continue the current. , I  happen to have a used pantograph that came off another VL GG1. The issue with it was it wasn't conducting power to the lights but it's fully intact. You're welcomed to it if you like, I'll post a picture of it in a few minutes. 

Alex

Alex you have saved the day! . I would be more than happy to purchase this from you. Even if it does not flicker after I repair at least it will be a complete pantograph again.  It is a VL one as well which is even better.  What is the best way to contact you to work this out. I've been on the forum unfrequently over the years and is there a way to contact you directly? Not sure how this works.   

Just look in my profile , you will see my Email address. Email me and we can make arrangements. 

Thanks 

Alex 

I can't remember which it is but either Ngineering or Evan Designs sells an LED module that simulates a sparking catenary. If you are wedded to that feature you might be able to wire this in as a replacement although it would require a DC power source. 

Alex M posted:

whistlebell1 posted:

Alex M posted:

I've repaired these before, the pantographs actually conduct power to the flickering lights on top. You would have  to  repair it with something that will continue the current. , I  happen to have a used pantograph that came off another VL GG1. The issue with it was it wasn't conducting power to the lights but it's fully intact. You're welcomed to it if you like, I'll post a picture of it in a few minutes. 

Alex

Alex you have saved the day! . I would be more than happy to purchase this from you. Even if it does not flicker after I repair at least it will be a complete pantograph again.  It is a VL one as well which is even better.  What is the best way to contact you to work this out. I've been on the forum unfrequently over the years and is there a way to contact you directly? Not sure how this works.   

Just look in my profile , you will see my Email address. Email me and we can make arrangements. 

Thanks 

Alex 

Great!  Just sent you an email. Many Thanks!!!!

I just received my new Vision Line GG1 and when I first started the engine both pantographs worked but then few minutes of playing with the options testing the lowering and opening the pantos one stopped working and now I can no longer close it. I reset engine still no go. I shined a flashlight down both shaft holes (not sure which one is the mechanism that brings the panto up and down) I could not see anything dislodged or anything moving when I cycled through the open close for that panto. Is this a simple fix or will have to go back to Lionel? I hope nothing burnt out and that it's something that just came disconnected or off track.

Anyone have any suggestions would be greatly appreciated and I am very disappointed to hear that Lionel does not have these parts why is that makes no sense to me.

Thanks!

Matt

There is a very small electric motor with very tiny set of gearing that controls each Pantagraph.  After a lot of use the gears bind.

SEND IT BACK.

@AlanRail posted:

There is a very small electric motor with very tiny set of gearing that controls each Pantagraph.  After a lot of use the gears bind.

SEND IT BACK.

Thanks Alan! I'm calling Lionel in the am to get an RA.

Send it back for sure.

I've put a new board in one of the VL GG1's for the pan, oddly it seems the board has gone through a number of versions, the two boards looked nothing like each other, but the new one worked fine.

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

Send it back for sure.

I've put a new board in one of the VL GG1's for the pan, oddly it seems the board has gone through a number of versions, the two boards looked nothing like each other, but the new one worked fine.

Thanks John! That is a little strange that they use different boards. I spoke to Lionel this morning and got an RA to send it back. Just need to repack and send out. I really love the engine. Does Lionel sometimes rerun same Vision Line models again? I would love to pick up a 5 stripe tuskan if Lionel decides to rerun

The only Vision Line I'm aware of that was re-run was the Challenger.  They did the non-VL Big Boy with a lot of the same stuff, just not the blowdown, depleting coal, etc., but a very nice engine.

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

The only Vision Line I'm aware of that was re-run was the Challenger.  They did the non-VL Big Boy with a lot of the same stuff, just not the blowdown, depleting coal, etc., but a very nice engine.

Interesting John! I'm glad I was able to find VL GG1. I really love this engine.

Where does the trigger come from to activate the LED in the pantographs? Is it part of the internal electronics or local to the pantograph itself?

-They did the non-VL Big Boy with a lot of the same stuff, just not the blowdown, depleting coal, etc.-

I think what Lionel did was review the stuff that they were having issues and returns with; and decided to leave those features out the next time.

@c.sam posted:

Where does the trigger come from to activate the LED in the pantographs? Is it part of the internal electronics or local to the pantograph itself?

The trigger is in the electronics which signals power to the LED and creates the arcing sound.  The pan has only the LED.  One leg of the pan is the anode while the other is the cathode.

Thanks Dan. Would that circuit be available somewhere to add to other GG1s?

@c.sam posted:

Thanks Dan. Would that circuit be available somewhere to add to other GG1s?  Remember, it's synchronized with the sound that's controlled from the RCMC.

I doubt it, I think that's just an output from the RCMC electronics.