Lionel Vision Line GG1 Conrail Spirit of '76 Video

Very nice, congrats and enjoy!

Cool video. The loco looks and sounds great. Can the steam effect be turned off? 

Yes it can be turned off. I just had it on for the video. Smoke unit works very well. 

I was on the fence about getting one of these but I think I have changed my mind. Nice video.

The moment I started this beauty up I was hooked. The stereo sounds, '76 paint scheme, detailed interior and riveted exterior, pantograph motion, LED arcing, smooth operation, and smoke generator. Cooool, no Super Coooooooooool!

If my 2016 train budget wasn't so spent and drained, I'd buy another one - Pennsylvania Brunswick Green 5 Stripe

Very cool! I really like the paint scheme. 

I received my Brunswick Green five stripe today from Mr. Muffin.

I love it!!

The sounds are really nice!

Love it!

(You have a lot of other cool trains, too!)

Very nice!  Were you running it on a loop of 072 or greater?

Can't imagine Conrail used the Steam Generator much in freight service.  Executive train maybe?  When did they rebuild for HEP?

Jon

"Very nice! Were you running it on a loop of 072 or greater?"

That video was taken on a 120 loop. K-Line tubular track. My minimum is 72 everywhere else. 

The steam generator in 4800 was removed in 1960 when it got the single stripe and the generator compartment was filled with concrete for added ballast.  However, 4800 did pull excursions in this paint scheme usually leading an Amtrak E60CH and Amfleet coaches.   

Nice video that shows all the effects!

KOOLjock1 posted:

Can't imagine Conrail used the Steam Generator much in freight service.  Executive train maybe?  When did they rebuild for HEP?

Jon

Conrail used E8's for executive trains.  first in blue, then Pullman green:

As far as I can tell no GG1's were converted to HEP.

Rusty

There were no HEP converted GG1s.  Amtrak instead converted several older coaches into HEP cars so GG1s could pull Amfleet cars in Clocker and Metroliner service.  The conversion to full HEP on Amtrak started in 1977 and by then it was clear the GG1s wouldn't be running much longer.

Great video - thanks for posting.  I just picked up one from nicholas Smith yesterday - I did not have a chance to pull it out of the shipping carton yet - so it is nice to see one up and running.  Best of luck!!!

Jonathan,

Really good info.

Did NJ DOT do the same as Amtrack?

NJ DOT never converted their fleet of steam heated cars to HEP. They purchased Comet Cars with F40PHs in 1982 to start phasing out the steam heated trains and purchased used E60s about the same time to phase out the GG1s.  E8s weren't converted to HEP either by NJDOT and lasted until about 1985. The GP40Ps pulled steam heated cars as far a Newark, but I don't recall when they were converted to HEP.

The interesting NJ DOT trivia is that Conrail "donated" 8 E44's to NJ DOT for possible passenger use, but they were never placed in service.  Management during those years was more interested in MU electrics and only in the 21st century decided to go back to locomotive hauled passenger cars.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HJK3W4DWKqM

An almost great video of the latest Vision Line offering of 4899 GG1, although the mono-tone horn says the operator only has TMCC access to sounds.  The video shows details really well, when the camera isn't pointed at the sun.  You get a real feel for the uniqueness of the first body execution. 

Sure wish there was a way to reopen Jonathan's 24 page GG1 topic, now that the VL GG1 has arrived.  Those pages contain essential facts, trivia, comparisons and photos, perfect for anyone considering adding any scale GG1 to their roster.

I hit the post office again today..still no joy.  From all accounts, I'm in for a real treat once it does arrive.

Bruce