On my K-Line GG1s there is a small F on the one end of the engine which is apparently denoting which end is the front when the engine starts up. At least that is the way it works.
But, on the Williams GG1, the F is on both ends, a different end depending on which side of the engine is facing you. Is that a "we copied it and made a mistake" mistake?
Does the Lionel GG1 have the same as the K-Line ones?
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I believe the "F" denotes the front on the "Engineers" side of the locomotive.
Jon 
All modern locomotives have that 'F' - I'm always confused about it on the GG1, though, due to the symmetrical nature of the locomotive...
Specifically for the PRR GG-1's initially placed in passenger service:
Front - The half of the GG1 that contained the steam boiler was designated the "front", or end #1, the other half was designated end #2. Most GG1's had an "F" on the carboby to indicate the front end.
Not all the GG-1's got the "F", and many came out of the shops with a "F" on both ends because it didn't really matter which end ran forward.
Many of the roads that inherited GG-1's later in their lives didn't bother with the "F" at all.
Scale Williams only has the F on one end, both sides. I'll have to see if its the "correct" end.
Not all the GG-1's got the "F", and many came out of the shops with a "F" on both ends because it didn't really matter which end ran forward.
Many of the roads that inherited GG-1's later in their lives didn't bother with the "F" at all.
This is unlikely. ICC rules - predecessor of the FRA rules - required that all locomotives other than steam have one end designated as the front, by the F stencil, for inspection purposes [ ie when writing up a defect, determining the #2 axle, etc ]. Specifically, Rule 201(b) of the Locomotive Inspection Law.
This rule applied to diesels as well; of course we are talking about common carrier locos, not industrial ones.
SZ
I have a K-Line GG1 and MTH EP-5 both with Fs on both sides on the same end, and it's the forward end. I always thought it was so that when you placed it on the track you knew which direction it was going to go (I had put an F on the bottom of the EP-5 with a Sharpie for that reason before I noticed it small Fs on that end on each side.), I didn't know the real things had it. That might also explain why my MTH GP38-2 has a F, which I though was silly since everyone knows which end is front...
Not all the GG-1's got the "F", and many came out of the shops with a "F" on both ends because it didn't really matter which end ran forward.
Many of the roads that inherited GG-1's later in their lives didn't bother with the "F" at all.
This is unlikely. ICC rules - predecessor of the FRA rules - required that all locomotives other than steam have one end designated as the front, by the F stencil, for inspection purposes [ ie when writing up a defect, determining the #2 axle, etc ]. Specifically, Rule 201(b) of the Locomotive Inspection Law.
This rule applied to diesels as well; of course we are talking about common carrier locos, not industrial ones.
SZ
Might have been the rule, but I just went through a bunch of pics of black PC GG-1's and couldn't find a "F" marking on any of them. But then, PC didn't put a lot of money into repaints.
If you look at some New York Central diesels you'll see that they took the "F" concept one step farther. Along with the "F" they also has a "1" end and a "2" end, and an "A" side and a "B" side. I guess this was to help the shop staff know exactly where to work on the locomotive.
Stuart
The designation "F" was for service purposes. The engine was very much bi-directional and wouldn't require turning. This is why a lot of photo's don't capture the "F". It's there, just at the other end of the engine back by the cars and not easily visible in the classic oblique photos.
I finally found a profile shot of the spirit of 76 Conrail and at first glance the "F" is missing. If you zoom in, it's there. Without the zoom it just looks like one of the stars.
isn't the F over the fuel oil tank to distinguish it from the water tank--yes the gg1 took some fuel oil to run the heater i think
isn't the F over the fuel oil tank to distinguish it from the water tank--yes the gg1 took some fuel oil to run the heater i think
NO! The twin tanks under the GG1 had their fillers plainly labeled "WATER" (sometimes "BOILER WATER") and "FUEL" for the steam generator.
The "F" has ALWAYS been for "FRONT" as required by law!
Yes, the "F" is not an option; it's legally required. Those PC locos had them too, in the
photo or not. The designation of Front, A and B side and 1 and 2 end on double-cab
locos enable shop employees, among others, to be directed to a particular place
on a unit for repair. Notice a NYC T-motor; they had an F, an A or a B end and a 1 or a 2
side on the same loco.
My Williams scale GG1 has an F on both sides, different ends. This is, of course, Williams
saving money (one paint mask/tampon for both sides), and is wrong.
Steam locos, well, usually the Smoky end was Front and the Hot end was the Rear, but
why do not SP Cab-forwards have an "F" on the cab side? Huh, huh?
I would have to do some major digging, but GG1's did not have matching powered truck assemblies. There was a "male" and a "female" truck that were joined with a large pinion(?) allowing them to pivot when going around curves and switches.
One of these truck assemblies was designated "F"ront. But, I just can't remember which assembly had the designation.
I know I read it as part of a multi-issue article with detailed drawings. Might have been RMC back in the mid-seventies when the G's were still very active.
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