I would like one to round out my collection a bit. Is there any other good values before I lay out $209 for a BLI or more for a Twix?
I read that the IHC (only the Premier model) was an acceptable poor man’s GG1 (not currently available new, I believe.) But I can see only AHM and other probably junky ones for sale online.
Tyco made one…[:-^]
I’ve seen the IHC in person and it wasn’t too bad for the $$$.
Check Trainworld. They list some BLI’s “starting at $135.” I don’t know why that’s different from the ones that they list at $205, but it’s worth a call.
You’re right. If I had the layout for it, I’d want a GG-1 myself. I had a Lionel one when I was a kid.
I have an IHC Bicenntenial, and love it. great puller, but the couplers sag. I have not looked inside of it. But if you want a really good one, then fling for the BLI.
Fawlty,
I"ve seen both the “poor man’s”" GG1 and the BLI. The BLI unit is a winner, hands down. It’s heavy, decently detailed, and a pleaure to listen to.
You did state “collection”. If you’re looking for an attractive unit as a display, then yes, the IHC GG1 is not a bad way to go. But for a “mainline cruiser”, imho, it’s worth the extra dollars to go for a BLI version.
Just my [2c][;)]
They made a fake GG-1 complete with BB trucks. [:-^] Only the shell resembled a GG-1. Everything else was Alco C-420 and not even a good Alco at that.
Irv
You mean the pilot trucks?
I checked M.B. Klein (www.modeltrainstuff.com) and they also have a few BLI GG-1’s, for about $203. They are listed as “with DCC and Sound,” which makes them more of a good deal. Knowing that, I suspect that the ones Trainworld has for $135 are not DCC/Sound equipped.
Check with Trainworld. They may or may not be DCC/sound.
I think BLI gave up thier GG1 tooling in the recent lawsuit settlement listed on thier webpage so I doubt anymore of those GG1’s be made by BLI. I like them but have no catanery to run it on my road.
I think the tuscon colored one with the 5 gold stripes in PRR with the keystone is thier best one of all of teh GG1’s availible. Who knows? Despite my thinking about catenary, I might get one.
Occasionally, a Pemco G shows up on eBay cheap. Not a bad looking engine, but I doubt it pulls much as only half the drivers are powered. Mine’s been in the box for over 35 years.
The ones I saw had C-628 trucks, [D)] still bad!
http://www.modeltrainstuff.com/category_s/1590.htm
heres an idea.
I want one too but in N scale.
Hello,
got a link for the Marklin model from their web page. Here it is http://www.marklin.com/newprod/american/2002/ho.html .
Hope it helps.
Frank
I want a GG-1 too. Unfortunately, when IHC was selling them for less than $50 on their website, I didn’t have the surplus money to buy a couple, and then…POOF!..they’re gone.
I asked my LHS guy about IHC’s GG’s and he said they were pretty good…you needed to keep the wheels clean, but that’s a given for all locos. Now you can pick them up on EBAY but the prices are usually way too high. Eventually I will have a couple, no Pennsy layout is complete without at least one GG. Lesson learned…you snooze you loose…next time I see a sale I’m going to go with plastic and buy it and then worry about paying for it later!!
I’ve only heard good things about the IHC GG-1s, so they’re the best choice if you don’t want to spend $100+. I’ve seen one in person, and the detail, although it’s mostly molded on, looks very good. They’re nice and heavy too, and with two motors, they should handle a long passenger or freight train without any trouble.[:D] I’m not sure, but I think the pantagraphs might work too. Shoot, now I want one!![}:)]
I think the AHM/Rivarossi GG-1s were alright too, but they only have 6 wheel drive. The Tyco ones are totally fake, and only look kind of like GG-1s. The Pemco GG-1s had a nice shell (now used by IHC), but they had a cheap drive similar to Tyco’s.
And I think that’s about all the inexpensive GG-1s.
No they weren’t pilot trucks. Tyco didn’t see any need 6 - 6 between the 4 and the 4 and thus they weren’t there.
Irv
Kato has one in Brunswick green with 5 stripes and numbered 4935. Price is reasonable even though it lists for $139. Take a look at the Kato site. I’ve got one on order plus a decoder and MT couplers. I don’t plan to have catenary on my layout but I’ll run it in excursion service at least until I can afford the 15 car train that goes with it.
Irv
It looked like this: