a trip to hobby shop found no spring 773-69 which is used in 1950 Hudson, but the owner was familiar with the problem of the pilot easily bounced around, and even pointed out another common source of trouble. The flangeways in 022 switches are shallower in the vicinity of the frog, and he has ground the bakelite down to create greater depth for the wheels. But he has had success reducing the bouncing of the un weighter truck by coiling solder around the axle. So maybe I’ll try that.Or i will take by GG1 over their for some coaching.
I Investigated the use of the solder around axles to add weight to combat flopping around or bouncing, but it was not as simple as they pointed out at the Hobby shop, and I didn’t undertake that effort.
I tried to borrow the spring out of my 773’s trailing truck, but removal involved more than I thought that I could handle; I believe there are some ppermanently riveted elements to it, and I don’t have the tools to restore that, so I may look for some springs on the market to install around the hooks that the pilot and trailing trucks for the GG one are suspended from.
also, going back to my original observation of a belly in the chassis, I will try to use a few washers around the screws holding chassis to frame to push the ends back toward rail head to force trucks back down toward railhead.
If I look carefully at the design of the system to guide the pilot truck, the hook/tab which engages the chassis is approximately 1/4" high and the truck can bounce upwards to that amount. That allows plenty of vertical travel with nothing to impede it, or damp the motion down somewhat. also a rise in the Bakelite floor of the flangeway pushes the truck up, and any vertiCal discontinuity at junctions of track sections can create an impact whose force drives the truck up vertically, and can create a derail, and additionally a curve track on a grade with any slight deformation can allow the unrestrained truck to climb the outer rail. All these situations could be solved with some sort of spring perhaps placed toward the front of truck. but how do I keep it position?
Just received replacement truck and not exactly what I expected. First and very noticeable is a thin spring loop mounted on top of truck, projec under the hook/tab so that it will fit below the chassis and then reduce the vertical travel of the pilot truck. But I can’t test it until later. Also very noticeable is the fact that on both my 2360 GG1 and 2340, the couplers were electromatic coil powered which are activated by use of the sliding shield, but this piece has magnetic coupler. if the replacement unit works, my local will certainly be a mix-and-match job. But maybe it will run!
Let us hope so!
I should apologize for “blogging” my problem solving attempts, but keep hoping for a crowd solution.
i put the new truck on but didn’t completely cure my problem. I have mentioned similar trouble with other locos with unweighted pilot trucks–my 671 turbine and my Hudson. On the other hand, I don’t have have trouble with locos which are lighter but where the trucks support the unit’s weight, even single motor units like 2023 alco.
No new progress here. I will return the truck I bought to the vendor who has been co-operative on that score. I located another pilot truck which is original Lionel of the correct design with coil coupler. But the guy who has it told me in his experience my GG1 likely will continue to experience the problem. He was familiar with the flopping of the unweighted pilot trucks. He suggested I locate some flat lead material and epoxy it on top of truck to add weight. But after quickly checking Home Depot website, I have no idea where to procure it. I will call my local hobby shop when it opens. Accepting all suggestions.
Try an auto parts supply store. I watched a video where a toy train fan used some stick-on tire balancing weights to add some weight to a Lionel engine for better traction. Stick-on weights are also available from Amazon, WalMart, and Harbor Freight.
For just plain lead you can try a gunshop that sells supplies for muzzle-loading firearms, however that may be more lead than you need. Plumbing supply outfits may have sheet lead still available.
I got the tire weights. They are very small with adhesive backing. i put on two at a quarter ounce each. Maybe will put on two more if height allows. Seems promising.
thanks for a good suggestion
You’re welcome! Hope it works!
My GG1 is running much better than it was, although I think it ought to be better. No doubt I think there May be frame damage, and that has given room for more vertical bounce on the pilot and lead trucks. However, I have 2 others and they donot run flawlessly either.
Also, my frequent junctions of Gargraves and 022 switch rail are not helpful, but I do notice that sometimes the pilot derails in the middle of 022 switches–a problem that is not due to
muxining different manufacturers products.
But the 2 weights have brought the loco back to be mostly reliable by reducing the bounce.
I have seen mentioned in CTT that the GG1 pilots can be trouble because they are unweighted, and some steamers have exhibited the same trouble.
To me, it is a design failure for what was sold as a toy to require a high degree of craftsmanship to perform in a way to be satisfying. I will cop to not being the best craftsman; honestly I am a guy who would rather play with his trains than work on them!
As usual, comments welcome–just be gentle regarding my last bit of candor.
Post pics or better yet a video of it running!
Finally, after a year, I was able to locate a leading truck for a GG one that I can tell was not from the original years of manufacture in the mid-1950s. It does not have a coil coupler. But when I swapped it in, it did eliminate most problems that I have with the units operation, so I’m very pleased.
I also posted this information on a discussion of replacement springs, because one of the ideas which I had was that a small spring surrounding the hook on top of the truck might help damp down the bouncing.
But it does seem that the GG one and the turbine steamer as well. I have a truck which is prone to vertical movement which can lead to derailments.