What do I need to run this GG1?

A transformer that gives out pure AC power and has both a bell and a whistle button. A set of 18 guage wires to go from the transformer to the track. You should also get the bcr and replace the battery in the Locomotive FIRST with the bcr BEFORE applying ANY power to the locomotive.

Might start with a source of electricity - newfangled stuff, but I hear it's going to be all the rage...

You'll need 072 radius curves.  One of the MTH transformers (like the Z4000) with a programming function would be handy, but not necessary.  This is a nice locomotive.  I have the 4876 version but upgraded it to PS2 so it was compatible with everything else I have.

I have a R50 MTH green battery to put in it. I also have a charger for it. There are NO curves. I know that it will need 072  to 093 curves. So  what is the least expensive transformer I can use that has a whistle & bell button. Does this engine talk & what do I need to make the talk? Thanks all for your help.  I am a prewar/postwar collector & operator.

eddie g posted:

I have a R50 MTH green battery to put in it. I also have a charger for it. There are NO curves. I know that it will need 072  to 093 curves. So  what is the least expensive transformer I can use that has a whistle & bell button. Does this engine talk & what do I need to make the talk? Thanks all for your help.  I am a prewar/postwar collector & operator.

You should be able to add Lionel 5906 bell buttons to any PW transformer (with added protection of fuses and maybe transient voltage suppressors (TVS)  - that's covered a bit in threads here from time to time).  If you have a good whistle on the transformer itself, you just add one 5906 in series on the center rail connection to get the bell.  If you don't, use 2 in series to get horn on one and bell on the other (flip polarity of one so you get both features). edit: I realize that's not 100% clear, so here's a link with a picture covering this.

(Also, if you can't get a 5906, Susan Deats had an article on her site on how to build a 5906 equivalent: Susan's Run Room Sound Activation Box)

For some of the more advanced features Proto1 had the odd-ball setting scenarios involving raising and lowering the throttle a whole bunch of times.  That's where the feature of the Z4000 automatically raising and lowering the voltage for you when you just select which item you wish to activate comes in very handy.  (or the similar functions can be provided with a TIU and it's Proto-1 features on the variable channels)  QSI used to make a box called a "Power Programmer" that would add the features similar to the way the Z4000 does, but on any transformer.  I don't think those come around much for sale these days though.

I'm pretty sure these "raise and lower the voltage" features are not normally ones you would need to do on a regular basis though. 

The sound effects are most likely more simple bell and whistle combinations, though you may need to practice a little with timing of the button presses.

-Dave

Eddie. Get an MTH Z-1000 brick with the controller that would be your cheapest new transformer option that will work just fine with that engine.  As others have said you will need to press the bell and horn buttons to make the announcements and couplers fire but with a little  practice it will become second nature.  Above all don't put voltage to that engine without a new green battery in it that you already have.  I would put a charge on it if you have had the battery for a while just to be safe.  Charles Ro has the Z-1000 in stock. Click on the link.    http://charlesro-com.3dcartsto.../store_mt401000.html

eddie g posted:

I have a R50 MTH green battery to put in it. I also have a charger for it. There are NO curves. I know that it will need 072  to 093 curves. So  what is the least expensive transformer I can use that has a whistle & bell button. Does this engine talk & what do I need to make the talk? Thanks all for your help.  I am a prewar/postwar collector & operator.

Eddie:

The advice and suggestions mentioned so far in this thread are good and should be followed, especially the warning about NOT putting voltage on the track with that engine unless you have a fully-charged battery or a BCR installed.  And the BCR is your best bet for long-term usage.

But if you've never operated an MTH locomotive with that original troublesome Proto-Sound/QSI system (aka PS-1) system, there is one suggestion left out: it sounds like you don’t have the user’s manual for it and if you don’t you definitely need to get one because it is different than operating a conventional pre- or post-war Lionel locomotive.  Surprisingly you’re in luck because the manual is still available on the MTH Website.  Here’s the link to it: http://mthtrains.com/sites/def...ction/20dl17714i.pdf

Kudos to MTH for keeping the manual available for this 1999 product.

As Dave pointed out you can run it with a post-war Lionel transformer that has a whistle button with the addition of a Lionel #6-5906 sound activation button.  The manual shows a wiring diagram for using a postwar ZW and a #6-5906 bell button on page 19.  You can probably pick up one of those buttons at York for $10 or less.    I control my PS engines with a post-war ZW and a #6-5906 button. 

HTH,

Bill

That is old technology and requires some of these to make it work.