V L GG1 problem

Looks like you’ll need to take the shell off to see what’s causing this. Perhaps a wire of wire holder came loose and is blocking the retraction. 

I am sorry to hear you have this problem, however, I would take it to a Lionel Legacy Repair center. Taking these electronic rich engines apart is scary to me, thus why I suggest a competent dealer. Please keep us informed throughout your repair process. The VL GG1 is the best one made in my opinion. Simply Beautiful. Happy Railroading 

Compare the springs to the other pantograph. Maybe it got stretched and it not pulling pantograph all the way down.

If the pantographs are powered by motors, do not try to move them manually. The ones I have seen are powered by tiny motors and screw drives. You will have to remove the shell and look inside. Compare the bad one to the good one and see what is wrong. If you are not handy with tools, then have someone else do it.

Have you contacted Lionel?

I have taken the shell off my VL Big Boy; relied on info given to me from Mike Reagan, GRJ, Sinclair, ROMiller, AlexM, and others and pictures from them.  Had no issues with doing that and even made 3 repairs guided by the OGR members.

Maybe, there are some members who have taken the GG1 shell off.

There are two limit switches ,one for up & one for down. You may have to adjust the down one a little.

Here is a pic of my repair of my VL Big Boy as I have mentioned in a post above.  The background is a Bowser Foam cradle that is supporting the shell with its wires still attached (very mindful of not stressing the wires).  I was using a Radio Shack set of small screwdrivers that I purchased in the 1970's to remove screws; however, I have since bought a set of WiHa German made screwdrivers that bite the screws better.

Update - sent back to Lionel.  Still under warranty !

katy409 posted:

Update - sent back to Lionel.  Still under warranty !

Good idea. I don’t have the VL version but do have a JLC. I have had the shell off the latter to deal with a pantograph issue but frankly the VL is so packed with electronics that if I had one, I’d certainly balk at opening it up.

In any case please post what Lionel do to resolve your problem. I would guess it is a limiting switch issue as based on what I know of the mechanisms it seems unlikely to be purely mecanical. The pantographs on my JLC have always retracted to the same fairly flat position.