books and magazines usually have a 135 lpi screen, unless it really high end. by scanning at a res twice as high as the dot screen, you stuff enough data into the pix to compensate. your scan utility should give you the option to choose a descreen. which adjusts for the dot pattern.
hope this helps.
I see that Old Rivets was produced with a decorative air whistle instead of an air horn. Does the sound system make the whistle sound or does it emit the usual horn sound?
Hi all,
Does anyone have any photo's or documentation of when the roof mounted bell and small whistle were removed and the air horns installed. My research indicates that the horns were in place when the paint scheme went to single broad stripe, large keystone (about 1955). Since I have the 5-stripe, clarendon lettering version, I am looking to detrermine when the horns were applied. The wide spaced 5-stripe and futura style seem to have the bell and whistle, not the horns.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Buzz
Does anyone have any photo's or documentation of when the roof mounted bell and small whistle were removed and the air horns installed. My research indicates that the horns were in place when the paint scheme went to single broad stripe, large keystone (about 1955). Since I have the 5-stripe, clarendon lettering version, I am looking to detrermine when the horns were applied. The wide spaced 5-stripe and futura style seem to have the bell and whistle, not the horns.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Buzz
Buzz,
My research indicates that the 'hooter' whistle and bell configuration was likely modified at some point when it was painted into the standard 5 stripe DGLE scheme. I am simply guessing that the time frame might have somewhere between 1936 / 1937 to the mid 40's when the last of the Futura paint schemes were repainted. I think to find out for sure, the shop records would need to be researched and I'm not sure if the PRRT&HS has this information or not. The broad stripe did not appear on 4800 until 1960.
For such a small run, the decision to use this whistle / bell configuration was simply based on the fact that 50% of the models were going to be slightly inaccurate in this area. There only 100 of these in existence in three and two rail combined. Since the 4800 had this unique configuration it provided just that much more variation from a standard GG1 to add to the visual interest of this particular model. Those interested in complete prototype fidelity for the Clarendon / Dulux 1952 paint scheme or the Conrail model could consider replacing those parts with horns per the prototype variations. I may eventually do that with my Conrail model, but for now I just need to find some time to actually run it.
Because the 4800 is a prototype, there are four distinct visual differences that occurred during it's career. It had the longest service record of all the GG1's, running constantly for 45 years. Outside of the as-delivered Baldwin version, I don't considered those variations to be hugely significant. We won't get into the 10 paint schemes it had if you consider all the variations.....
I have photos of all but 2 of them.
My research indicates that the 'hooter' whistle and bell configuration was likely modified at some point when it was painted into the standard 5 stripe DGLE scheme. I am simply guessing that the time frame might have somewhere between 1936 / 1937 to the mid 40's when the last of the Futura paint schemes were repainted. I think to find out for sure, the shop records would need to be researched and I'm not sure if the PRRT&HS has this information or not. The broad stripe did not appear on 4800 until 1960.
For such a small run, the decision to use this whistle / bell configuration was simply based on the fact that 50% of the models were going to be slightly inaccurate in this area. There only 100 of these in existence in three and two rail combined. Since the 4800 had this unique configuration it provided just that much more variation from a standard GG1 to add to the visual interest of this particular model. Those interested in complete prototype fidelity for the Clarendon / Dulux 1952 paint scheme or the Conrail model could consider replacing those parts with horns per the prototype variations. I may eventually do that with my Conrail model, but for now I just need to find some time to actually run it.
Because the 4800 is a prototype, there are four distinct visual differences that occurred during it's career. It had the longest service record of all the GG1's, running constantly for 45 years. Outside of the as-delivered Baldwin version, I don't considered those variations to be hugely significant. We won't get into the 10 paint schemes it had if you consider all the variations.....
I have photos of all but 2 of them.
I like the bell/whistle arrangement on 4899/4800. I just wonder what it sounds like.
No deliveries here in Jersey yet! 
SAM
SAM
This being the 3R Forum, I didn't want to get involved with comments applicable only to the 2R version. But there is no 2R thread on this loco and some other 2-railers are participating here, so I'll make one comment.
The pilots on Sunset's 2R version have the cutout for drop couplers. I haven't seen a really sharp end view photo of the 4800, but it appears to have had a fixed coupler like the first (approx) 50 of the welded-body GG1s. A thin overlay can be cemented in place & painted black to cover the opening, so correcting the appearance looks like a fairly simple fix. But it looks to me as though the 2R version of this model is inaccurate in this one respect. Aside from this one point, I think it's an excellent model overall, well worth the asking price. (Personal opinion.)
The pilots on Sunset's 2R version have the cutout for drop couplers. I haven't seen a really sharp end view photo of the 4800, but it appears to have had a fixed coupler like the first (approx) 50 of the welded-body GG1s. A thin overlay can be cemented in place & painted black to cover the opening, so correcting the appearance looks like a fairly simple fix. But it looks to me as though the 2R version of this model is inaccurate in this one respect. Aside from this one point, I think it's an excellent model overall, well worth the asking price. (Personal opinion.)
JWmatthews,
Was it cut out for a drop coupler or just the same cutout used for the "lobster claw" 3rail coupler?
You're right a simple styrene or brass overlay will tighten up that gap, I just may do that when I install Kadee's.
SAM
Was it cut out for a drop coupler or just the same cutout used for the "lobster claw" 3rail coupler?
You're right a simple styrene or brass overlay will tighten up that gap, I just may do that when I install Kadee's.
SAM
"GAP Analysis" ???
I thought I could get by without wanting one of these ...
Then I saw the pictures ...
Whoa ...
But I now have one question. We do a lot of "Gap Analysis" on gaps between the trucks/car body on our 3/2 Scale wheel diesels ...
We have seen improvement ...
The Photos of "Old Rivits", as breathtaking as they are ...
Seem to illustrate a "gap" not previously discussed here ..
A "Gap" between the car body ... and the pilots ???
Viewed head on , or from the side at the nose/tail ... what do we have here?
Can we get some other photos ?
The ones one p 11 (?) of the thread .... seem to show this gap...
The ones posted by Scott (curiously) ... do not ...
What 's the deal here
"Prototypically" ... the nose/ car body gap.. is pretty small
I thought I could get by without wanting one of these ...
Then I saw the pictures ...
Whoa ...
But I now have one question. We do a lot of "Gap Analysis" on gaps between the trucks/car body on our 3/2 Scale wheel diesels ...
We have seen improvement ...
The Photos of "Old Rivits", as breathtaking as they are ...
Seem to illustrate a "gap" not previously discussed here ..
A "Gap" between the car body ... and the pilots ???
Viewed head on , or from the side at the nose/tail ... what do we have here?
Can we get some other photos ?
The ones one p 11 (?) of the thread .... seem to show this gap...
The ones posted by Scott (curiously) ... do not ...
What 's the deal here
"Prototypically" ... the nose/ car body gap.. is pretty small
Jonathan,
Thanks for the reply. That seems to be my feeling also. I might want to mount the air horns to be timewise correct as I model the early to mid-fifties, but as you said it is a pretty neet departure from the production G's so I will leave it alone for now.
Woody,
The question about the pilots of the 4800. They were flat, dead flat. just like
the pilots on the first series of production G's. The model is wrong, probably for the conveince of mounting the lionel coupler for the 3-rail versions. It is not a pronounced "drop-coupler" pilot like the latter series of G's, but it is not flat either. You can probably live with it. A little weathering may help hide it.
Buzz
Thanks for the reply. That seems to be my feeling also. I might want to mount the air horns to be timewise correct as I model the early to mid-fifties, but as you said it is a pretty neet departure from the production G's so I will leave it alone for now.
Woody,
The question about the pilots of the 4800. They were flat, dead flat. just like
the pilots on the first series of production G's. The model is wrong, probably for the conveince of mounting the lionel coupler for the 3-rail versions. It is not a pronounced "drop-coupler" pilot like the latter series of G's, but it is not flat either. You can probably live with it. A little weathering may help hide it.
Buzz
I just admitted to writing a review on another forum. Those of you with 2-rail pilots, beware. Putting the Kadees in there requires some thought. I just finished, and am ready to start pulling Tuscan coaches.
The gap is probably an operational necessity. The frames are not 100% accurate outside of the main drivers, but you cannot tell from the side view -except for the gap and the visible spring on the lead truck. The 3-rail truck articulates in a very unobtrusive fashion, and the 2-rail truck is locked for realism.
A really nice model at an excellent price!
The gap is probably an operational necessity. The frames are not 100% accurate outside of the main drivers, but you cannot tell from the side view -except for the gap and the visible spring on the lead truck. The 3-rail truck articulates in a very unobtrusive fashion, and the 2-rail truck is locked for realism.
A really nice model at an excellent price!
quote:Originally posted by bob2:The gap is probably an operational necessity. The frames are not 100% accurate outside of the main drivers, but you cannot tell from the side view - except for the gap and the visible spring on the lead truck.
Maybe it is for the best that I can't afford to buy one of these things! That spring is the first thing I saw when I looked at BOTH 2 and 3 rail versions. Sticks out like the proverbial sore thumb! Other than that, a nice looking piece.
More zap the gap material????
SW
Sam--
The shape of the pilot cutout on Sunset's 2R version is a vertical slot with a larger-diameter circle at the bottom. It looks like an upside-down old-fashioned keyhole, prototypical for the later GG1s with drop couplers. (See the color photo on this page posted by "Dreyfuss Hudson" & note the two center locos.) I'm not so concerned with the slant of the model's pilot as I am with the shape of the coupler opening.
From what I can see in the front views of the 3R versions on Pg 12, the coupler opening on the 3R models is a big square in the pilot. In a way, I think it looks more suitable for the 4800 than the pilots on the 2R version!
Re the "gap" between pilot & carbody, I think this is one case where a swinging pilot is definitely correct to prototype--the real GG1s were made that way! In a model, the gap may have to be more pronounced because many model layout vertical curves (bottoms & tops of grades) are more abrupt than on prototype track & we don't want out locos hanging up & possibly derailing because the carbody interferes with the chassis at such places.
The shape of the pilot cutout on Sunset's 2R version is a vertical slot with a larger-diameter circle at the bottom. It looks like an upside-down old-fashioned keyhole, prototypical for the later GG1s with drop couplers. (See the color photo on this page posted by "Dreyfuss Hudson" & note the two center locos.) I'm not so concerned with the slant of the model's pilot as I am with the shape of the coupler opening.
From what I can see in the front views of the 3R versions on Pg 12, the coupler opening on the 3R models is a big square in the pilot. In a way, I think it looks more suitable for the 4800 than the pilots on the 2R version!
Re the "gap" between pilot & carbody, I think this is one case where a swinging pilot is definitely correct to prototype--the real GG1s were made that way! In a model, the gap may have to be more pronounced because many model layout vertical curves (bottoms & tops of grades) are more abrupt than on prototype track & we don't want out locos hanging up & possibly derailing because the carbody interferes with the chassis at such places.
quote:Originally posted by GG1 4877:
The GG1's all were equipped with steam generators for passenger train heat. They were oil fired and would emit a blast of steam every now and then to relieve the pressure. GG1 4800 had it's generator completely removed in 1960 and during Amtrak GG1's pulled Amfleet one cars with a generator car in tow for HEP. Usually they were converted 63' baggage cars with a large louver on each side of the car. The HEP was typically a diesel fired generator. The farewell to steam [heated] trains was in 1982 and Amtrak restored PRR 4935 teamed up with NJT restored PRR 4877 to do the honors. There was even a round end observation on the end of that train.
New Jersey Transit utilized the steam heat up until the end of GG1 operations in October of 1983 and most if not all steam heated equipment was off of NJT by 1985.
Conrail did not need the generators for obvious reasons.
As to the colors, most photos of DGLE GG1's in green (black) showed a reddish hue after being on the road a while from dust. While the wires didn't make it there until the 1980's Red Bank was aptly named!
Fortunately, the only "firing" I did in my brief employment with Conrail, was firing the steam generators on the GG-1's and E-60's that pulled the SENATOR on which I worked regular the summer of 1980. I had to leave my home in Baltimore County at 1pm to make Ivy City(WASHINGTON TERMINAL CORP) in DC by 230pm...ride the engine from Ivy City to Union Station for a 400P departure to Penn Station in NY...arrived before 8pm and ran and got the Engineman(HOGHEAD) a slice of pizza for our return 45 minutes later on the other half of the SENATOR crewed out of Montreal...back in DC by Midnight...to the engine yard by 1am...and home by 230AM...a LOOONG day to be sure...but I got to play with my BIG "Lionel" all day!!! Why did I get the pizza for the Engineman???? So I could "run", of course!!! And running the steam generator was a big deal...not everyone could do it well...it involved the art of syphoning water...and you had better have had heat on those trains, and be able to reset relays on the engines in the advent of lighting failures in the Amfleets or older coaches!!!
Jonathan - thanks !! You are right about it barely fitting on O-72 ! I have one O-72 loop and the rest are O-81 or larger - totally happy out there but I started on the O-72 and - while it made it, it was definitely not totally happy - sort of groaned a litle and strained but made it !
Well,
I had to ask ...
I was wowed by what I could see, and surprised , that this model would appeal as much as it does to me ...
But I was "troubled" by what seemed to be, a inordinately large "gap" between the pilots, and the car body.
Thank You GG1 4877 for he explanation, and the "cure" !
Now., I am mightly lusting (for something I really shouldn't buy, or may not even be available !)
Please understand ... That I know the GG1 pilot and carbody were unattached, unlike our modern "hood" unit diesels (where only the models suffer this malady).
Any prototype photo shows that ... But the gap ... is pretty close on the real thing ...
The "fix" here , makes the model even more desirable, while at the same time explains why it was "engineered" in.
I'll be beating on my trainpusher for one of these !
I had to ask ...
I was wowed by what I could see, and surprised , that this model would appeal as much as it does to me ...
But I was "troubled" by what seemed to be, a inordinately large "gap" between the pilots, and the car body.
Thank You GG1 4877 for he explanation, and the "cure" !
Now., I am mightly lusting (for something I really shouldn't buy, or may not even be available !)
Please understand ... That I know the GG1 pilot and carbody were unattached, unlike our modern "hood" unit diesels (where only the models suffer this malady).
Any prototype photo shows that ... But the gap ... is pretty close on the real thing ...
The "fix" here , makes the model even more desirable, while at the same time explains why it was "engineered" in.
I'll be beating on my trainpusher for one of these !
Not to make matters worse, but there are a few of these still available .... 
I don't know the exact count in 2R / 3R, but the Bicentennial version was a run of 5 in 2R. The ratio of 2 - 3 rail ones is different in the other schemes.
The welded body ones were built with 75 in 2R and 25 in 3R. I couldn't swing one of those, but the pre-production photos looked very nice.
I don't know the exact count in 2R / 3R, but the Bicentennial version was a run of 5 in 2R. The ratio of 2 - 3 rail ones is different in the other schemes. The welded body ones were built with 75 in 2R and 25 in 3R. I couldn't swing one of those, but the pre-production photos looked very nice.
Ron - you would know this if anyone does. Did Amtrak convert some of the G's for HEP operation during the mid 70's? It was my understanding they did not and had an HEP car in most Amfleet car sets. NJT's all remained with steam to the end.
Personally I perceived a real difference in the heat on a steam heated train vs. the electric heated ones.
Jealous that you had time on the G's. I was born about 20 years too late I think.
Sam - would you know the answer to this one too?
Personally I perceived a real difference in the heat on a steam heated train vs. the electric heated ones.
Jealous that you had time on the G's. I was born about 20 years too late I think.
Sam - would you know the answer to this one too?
The G's were never converted to HEP.
We had "Power Cars" that were Ex-Army Transp. Corp 1952 Kitchen cars. They were numbered Amtrak 1291 - 1306. I was the "Fireman" on the first HEP Broadway Limited from Harrisburg east to New York. Instead of the usual E-8's from the west, it had one of those newfangled F-40PH engine in the lead, it was cut off and the our G with a powercar was added. I took pix that day!
Ron Blume, the Senator ran from Boston to Wash and vise versa, the were 176 and 177 There was no Montreal crew, if you had the New York to Wash leg, you relieved a New Haven man at New York.
Also, you are right about a siphon, ya had to crack the pipe just right, feel the line get cold and you knew it was working. (For you guys that never worked on a G, a siphon was a way to get the water for the steam generator from the tanks in the far nose.) Ron probably remembers carrying a pair of pliers to open the petcocks to see his water level too!
Also Ron, back in 1980 the best Pizza on the NEC was Little Nicks or Figaro Pizza in Penn Station. We could have passed on the RR, I was on the NEC 1979 -1982 then went back to freight.(came back to stay in 1989)
Jonathan, the steam cars just like the older steam heat homes were much more comfortable, that said however, they were more maintenance intensive then the HEP systems. "Progress"
Oh well, it was fun.
SAM
We had "Power Cars" that were Ex-Army Transp. Corp 1952 Kitchen cars. They were numbered Amtrak 1291 - 1306. I was the "Fireman" on the first HEP Broadway Limited from Harrisburg east to New York. Instead of the usual E-8's from the west, it had one of those newfangled F-40PH engine in the lead, it was cut off and the our G with a powercar was added. I took pix that day!
Ron Blume, the Senator ran from Boston to Wash and vise versa, the were 176 and 177 There was no Montreal crew, if you had the New York to Wash leg, you relieved a New Haven man at New York.
Also, you are right about a siphon, ya had to crack the pipe just right, feel the line get cold and you knew it was working. (For you guys that never worked on a G, a siphon was a way to get the water for the steam generator from the tanks in the far nose.) Ron probably remembers carrying a pair of pliers to open the petcocks to see his water level too!
Also Ron, back in 1980 the best Pizza on the NEC was Little Nicks or Figaro Pizza in Penn Station. We could have passed on the RR, I was on the NEC 1979 -1982 then went back to freight.(came back to stay in 1989)
Jonathan, the steam cars just like the older steam heat homes were much more comfortable, that said however, they were more maintenance intensive then the HEP systems. "Progress"
Oh well, it was fun.
SAM
Sam -
Thanks for the info! I am interested in modeling an HEP car. I rode the Broadway limited in the era when the F40PH's took the train to Philly and we got one of those big box E60's to take the train the NYC.
On a different subject - here is the 4800 on an 080 curve. This is much less swing than I've seen from my other G's.
Thanks for the info! I am interested in modeling an HEP car. I rode the Broadway limited in the era when the F40PH's took the train to Philly and we got one of those big box E60's to take the train the NYC.
On a different subject - here is the 4800 on an 080 curve. This is much less swing than I've seen from my other G's.
Nice, I saw your drop job, and thought, "yup, gotta do it!" It should look really sweet with Kadee's!
I have to run out tonight, but I'll scan some power car stuff and get it out to you soon. It could be an easy scatch/bash. An old MTH bagg, some Evergreen and a Zona!
SAM
I have to run out tonight, but I'll scan some power car stuff and get it out to you soon. It could be an easy scatch/bash. An old MTH bagg, some Evergreen and a Zona!
SAM
SAMTRAK...thanks for correction above on crewing...no wonder there were no French Canadian gals on the AMcafe!!! Also, is my memory correct that the early E-60's had steam generators???
Yes they had two (twins), they came to known as the "Steamers". Then the "M.A." - HEP (Motor Alternator) units came along to mate up with the AMFLEET.
Now, the Montrealer was another story. But this isn't the place to talk about deadheading with French Canadians and Molson's.
LOL
Now, the Montrealer was another story. But this isn't the place to talk about deadheading with French Canadians and Molson's.
LOL
Stop It... Stop It... Stop It !!!
No ... Not really...
The "low-rider" (actually prototypically lower) fix
truly does make this engine shine ...
I am running out of body parts to sell to keep buyin' these things !
Thanks for that last posting, 4877
That shows a truly proto style "gap" between pilot & carbody ...
If I may be allowed 2 more questions...
Does it run smoothly... after lowering ?
2d, As far as DGLE paint jobs go (shades of black/green) , how does this compare ? (was "Rivits" DGLE ?)
No ... Not really...
The "low-rider" (actually prototypically lower) fix
truly does make this engine shine ...
I am running out of body parts to sell to keep buyin' these things !
Thanks for that last posting, 4877
That shows a truly proto style "gap" between pilot & carbody ...
If I may be allowed 2 more questions...
Does it run smoothly... after lowering ?
2d, As far as DGLE paint jobs go (shades of black/green) , how does this compare ? (was "Rivits" DGLE ?)
quote:Originally posted by Samtrak:
Yes they had two (twins), they came to known as the "Steamers". Then the "M.A." - HEP (Motor Alternator) units came along to mate up with the AMFLEET.
Now, the Montrealer was another story. But this isn't the place to talk about deadheading with French Canadians and Molson's.
LOL
If Jonathan only knew what is was like taking a JOY RIDE on a GG-1 in the middle of the night while on PASSENGER PROTECT...my Engineman had it close to 100mph as I remember. It wasn't funny then, though I put on my best smile for the jackass on the other side of the LOCOMOTIVE. I think that was after he CAREFULLY explained they were limited to 55 LIGHT!!! AH, now I remember...the MA setup...the Fireman's dream job!!! Sit on your butt, and watch for fault lights. As an aside, I rember going thru UNION Interlocking...getting my teeth jarred on those E-60's...the G's were a much better ride. And I can't forget the awe-inspiring Manhattan skyline...or the majestically illuminated Capital Dome looming above UNION STATION...indellibly etched in my mind...very imposing!!! I must find an old buddy, and go for a cab ride. My stay was short, as Reagan was privatizing Conrail resulting in my permanent furlough. But it was like sailing your ship around the world!!! Thank you for the memories!!!
E60CP = Steam
E60CH = HEP
E60CH = HEP
Sam and Ron - thanks for the recollections. That is what makes this thread so interesting to follow for me. You guys were there and knew what is was like. I rode behind them in ancient coaches and know that the G's took the high speed switches a whole lot smoother than the E60's did when I rode behind them.
Riding NJT at that time was an adventure. I remember riding an ex NYC coach up from the shore behind E8's and eventually a GG1. It had a smooth spot on the wheel that was bad enough for me to change cars. Then there were the days of plastic windows that were so scratched it was like they were sandblasted. That called for an immediate change of seat as well! I remember watching one of the G's coming down grade from the overpass at South Amboy no doubt waiting for the next former PC train to arrive. Great memories. Wish I could have been in the cab. Had I been smart in those days, I would have spent my allowance money of $2.00 per week in return for chores to take an afternoon ride to SA and talk my way onto a GG1. I wasn't that smart or that brave then. Later on in life it worked on the cab of a K36 Mudhen though!
Now about those French Canadians and deadheading? The truth is out there if you remember
Phantom LG - the 4800 wore DGLE from "birth" until it got PC black in 1968 or 1969. 3rd Rail captures it well with the nearly black DGLE that is prototypical. I think Weaver captured it really well on the single stripe DGLE 4904 I have, but I need to pull it out of the box and compare. They seem close. My Lionel JLC does not seem to far off the mark too. It is hard to capture well on camera as the meter wants to lighten the color and I have not done a great job yet of capturing the actual color on digits yet.
Running characteristics? I have to be honest. I have not run mine yet I've been so busy with "other" tasks that I might finally get a chance later this weekend. My layout is in transition and I only have a portion of a yard actually completed. I plan on running it up and down the lead track soon to see how smoothly it runs and how it sounds.
No worries. I'll report back You really do need one of these afterall 
Riding NJT at that time was an adventure. I remember riding an ex NYC coach up from the shore behind E8's and eventually a GG1. It had a smooth spot on the wheel that was bad enough for me to change cars. Then there were the days of plastic windows that were so scratched it was like they were sandblasted. That called for an immediate change of seat as well! I remember watching one of the G's coming down grade from the overpass at South Amboy no doubt waiting for the next former PC train to arrive. Great memories. Wish I could have been in the cab. Had I been smart in those days, I would have spent my allowance money of $2.00 per week in return for chores to take an afternoon ride to SA and talk my way onto a GG1. I wasn't that smart or that brave then. Later on in life it worked on the cab of a K36 Mudhen though!
Now about those French Canadians and deadheading? The truth is out there if you remember
Phantom LG - the 4800 wore DGLE from "birth" until it got PC black in 1968 or 1969. 3rd Rail captures it well with the nearly black DGLE that is prototypical. I think Weaver captured it really well on the single stripe DGLE 4904 I have, but I need to pull it out of the box and compare. They seem close. My Lionel JLC does not seem to far off the mark too. It is hard to capture well on camera as the meter wants to lighten the color and I have not done a great job yet of capturing the actual color on digits yet.
Running characteristics? I have to be honest. I have not run mine yet
I've been so busy with "other" tasks that I might finally get a chance later this weekend. My layout is in transition and I only have a portion of a yard actually completed. I plan on running it up and down the lead track soon to see how smoothly it runs and how it sounds.No worries. I'll report back
You really do need one of these afterall quote:Originally posted by GG1 4877:
Sam and Ron - thanks for the recollections. That is what makes this thread so interesting to follow for me. You guys were there and knew what is was like. I rode behind them in ancient coaches and know that the G's took the high speed switches a whole lot smoother than the E60's did when I rode behind them.
Riding NJT at that time was an adventure. I remember riding an ex NYC coach up from the shore behind E8's and eventually a GG1. It had a smooth spot on the wheel that was bad enough for me to change cars. Then there were the days of plastic windows that were so scratched it was like they were sandblasted. That called for an immediate change of seat as well! I remember watching one of the G's coming down grade from the overpass at South Amboy no doubt waiting for the next former PC train to arrive. Great memories. Wish I could have been in the cab. Had I been smart in those days, I would have spent my allowance money of $2.00 per week in return for chores to take an afternoon ride to SA and talk my way onto a GG1. I wasn't that smart or that brave then. Later on in life it worked on the cab of a K36 Mudhen though!
Now about those French Canadians and deadheading? The truth is out there if you remember
Phantom LG - the 4800 wore DGLE from "birth" until it got PC black in 1968 or 1969. 3rd Rail captures it well with the nearly black DGLE that is prototypical. I think Weaver captured it really well on the single stripe DGLE 4904 I have, but I need to pull it out of the box and compare. They seem close. My Lionel JLC does not seem to far off the mark too. It is hard to capture well on camera as the meter wants to lighten the color and I have not done a great job yet of capturing the actual color on digits yet.
Running characteristics? I have to be honest. I have not run mine yet
No worries. I'll report back
We did all kind of things...sitting at signals..watching people taking pictures of us...inviting them up for a tour...the kids thought it was neat...but the FATHERS almost wet themselves...One guy...think his name was JONATHAN...LOL!!!
Thanks for sharing your memories of the GG-1's Ron and Sam. It must have been an honor to get to ride behind those locomotives. Would have loved to have ridden inside the cab of the GG-1's
quote:Originally posted by Bob Dixey:
Thanks for sharing your memories of the GG-1's Ron and Sam. It must have been an honor to get to ride behind those locomotives. Would have loved to have ridden inside the cab of the GG-1's
There were a lot of SCARY moments...learning a new job in a new field(I was an ACCOUNTANT), but I look back now in awe of what I accomplished. I was a study in reverse. I got my love of real trains from my love of toy trains...it was SMART not to let your Enginemen know you were a toy train or model railroader so they would take you seriously. So, I had to suffer through listening to my least favorite hoghead telling me the history of the 4800, and him not "giving up the seat". I sat there with stuffing from the seat popping up between my legs. I hid my "Remarkable GG-1" book in my mapcase...I have a paybook up in the attic that shows the number of each GG-1 that i ever rode or ran myself. I only lasted from 1979-81, and was permanently furloughed one week to the day after being promoted to Engineman on a silly yard job within the confines of Dundalk Marine Terminal in Baltimore. But I cannot describe the pride I felt when the Conductor handed me "the keys" to my one and only train. To this day, I LIE to my grandkids, pointing at the 4800 outside in Strasburg..."See that locomotive...CHOO CHOO POP drove it"!!!
Hey GG1 4877 ...
Trying not to be a pest ...
But I'm wondering if you have had a chance to "road test" the "low-rider" mod to your 4800 ...
According to Scott...There will also be lower spacers available (at some point)
but I am interested in how it handles in what is probably the most optimal position
Trying not to be a pest ...
But I'm wondering if you have had a chance to "road test" the "low-rider" mod to your 4800 ...
According to Scott...There will also be lower spacers available (at some point)
but I am interested in how it handles in what is probably the most optimal position
Just got a chance to run mine. The lowered version tracks on 080 curves without issue. The other one that I have not adjusted tracks through my terrible trackwork of 072 GarGraves switches in my yard.
The overhang on 080 is quite a bit improved over other versions of this model. The running is smooth after a few minutes of break in and this locomotive is quiet and can run very slow. The horn is a standard GG1 air horn without reverb, but is reasonably accurate for the production GG1's and the post 1930's version of the 4800.
Now onto adding Kadee couplers and report on how it works with my P70's next.
The overhang on 080 is quite a bit improved over other versions of this model. The running is smooth after a few minutes of break in and this locomotive is quiet and can run very slow. The horn is a standard GG1 air horn without reverb, but is reasonably accurate for the production GG1's and the post 1930's version of the 4800.
Now onto adding Kadee couplers and report on how it works with my P70's next.
Thanks 4877 for the running feedback ...
I'm looking to score from my #1 traindope pusher (Kirk, Justrains) ...
And really,thanks for making me aware of this really cool piece.
I guess, that the available GG1 sound sets don't cover the whistle as opposed
to the air horn ... but a "whistle" would seem really weird coming from a non-
steamer (albeit protypical).
Now ... I'm thinking a good "companion" electric, would be a GE EP-5 in the
black/white/red/orange NH livery ...
I'm looking to score from my #1 traindope pusher (Kirk, Justrains) ...
And really,thanks for making me aware of this really cool piece.
I guess, that the available GG1 sound sets don't cover the whistle as opposed
to the air horn ... but a "whistle" would seem really weird coming from a non-
steamer (albeit protypical).
Now ... I'm thinking a good "companion" electric, would be a GE EP-5 in the
black/white/red/orange NH livery ...
I am busy writing a review, but will describe the coupler on another forum, if you need to know right away . . .
Some GG1's and other electrics to satisfy a Sunday craving:
Gee, what a great gagle of G's!
Many many years ago (50's) when I commuted by rail, to college, between Trenton NJ and Newark NJ, I saw a GG1 all black with only a large white keystone on the side The keystone had PRR in bold white letters within the keystone. Is this the origional blackjack? In all the books I have there is no mention or pictures of same.
"Blackjack" refers to the Amtrak restoration of 4935 in 1981. The DGLE (Dark Green Locomotive Enamel) paint when fresh was close to black so that was the nickname given to that road number. It is the best preserved of the GG1's and displayed indoors at the Pennsylvania State railroad museum.
The paint scheme you are referring to certainly sounds like an anomaly. I would sure be interested in seeing a picture. It sounds like perhaps what you saw was a GG1 that came out the Wilmington shops prior to the large final PRR logo being applied. Did it have a stripe? The stripes were actually painted first and masking applied over the stripes prior to receiving the DGLE paint.
Interesting mystery that deserves some research.
The paint scheme you are referring to certainly sounds like an anomaly. I would sure be interested in seeing a picture. It sounds like perhaps what you saw was a GG1 that came out the Wilmington shops prior to the large final PRR logo being applied. Did it have a stripe? The stripes were actually painted first and masking applied over the stripes prior to receiving the DGLE paint.
Interesting mystery that deserves some research.
quote:Originally posted by GG1 4877:
"Blackjack" refers to the Amtrak restoration of 4935 in 1981. The DGLE (Dark Green Locomotive Enamel) paint when fresh was close to black so that was the nickname given to that road number. It is the best preserved of the GG1's and displayed indoors at the Pennsylvania State railroad museum.
The paint scheme you are referring to certainly sounds like an anomaly. I would sure be interested in seeing a picture. It sounds like perhaps what you saw was a GG1 that came out the Wilmington shops prior to the large final PRR logo being applied. Did it have a stripe? The stripes were actually painted first and masking applied over the stripes prior to receiving the DGLE paint.
Interesting mystery that deserves some research.
No stripe It was northbound when I saw it.
Hmmmmmmmmm???
Sounds like a "quick out of the shop" job. I'll have to ask some of the old timers, we have a retired mens dinner coming in May. However, most of these guys never really cared what was on the engine, as long as it pulled like hell.
SAM
Sounds like a "quick out of the shop" job. I'll have to ask some of the old timers, we have a retired mens dinner coming in May. However, most of these guys never really cared what was on the engine, as long as it pulled like hell.
SAM
