From TRAINZ:
We’ve got good news! Your Pre-Order items for Trainz Order XXXXXX have arrived from the manufacturer and will be shipped in the next few days. The items are listed below:
Lionel 38303 GG-1 Tuscan #2340 w/5 Stripes ($181.99 plus $0.00 shipping) Qty: 1
Grand Total: $181.99
Paid via MasterCard: $181.99
I’m psyched and did not expect it to be ready until the summer (unless this is a screw-up!).
Cool, Post a detailed description as soon as you get it!!! Maybe the red comet is in as well[:(]
Just looked and the shipping schedule shows it due in MAR???
Same here - I called them, and they said it is shipping to me today… Yippie 
It arrived! The good news…it’s heavy as hell and very detailed. Like as promised it comes with the certificate of authenticity and the original style Lionel wrapping paper (few holes/tears). The bad news is that the pantograph came off during removal from the box and the little white fasteners between the roof of the train and the pantograph holes really do not fit well, but only I would notice that it’s not as snug as it should be.
The bell is fantastic as is the horn and while I normally run O gauge engines on my O27 layout - like my 2343 AA set - this train cannot negotiate the turns so I will have to find a way to upgrade to O31 so I can run this beautiful engine. It’s substantial and nice…I only wish that the pantograph fasteners fit better.
That sounds about normal for the few modern era GG-1’s I have had.
I think the MTH ones came with the rubber insulators already installed on the pantographs and they pretty much stay installed unlike the Lionel ones. Don’t know about original postwar ones though.
Sounds like they made it like the origional. The insulators on my 2332 hold well in the pantographs, but are just set into in the holes of the shell. The center of the pantograph is supposed to keep everything in place.
Kurt
So I finally ran the set this past weekend. I had to purchase 031 track and test ran it for an hour on a basic oval. Once the engine felt semi-broken in, then I added passenger cars to it. I had already purchased at the time of preordering the tuscan engine a Pennsylvania Flyer Passenger Add-on set and used those three coaches. A purist would want the Madisons, but in all honesty, these Pennsylvania flyers looked perfect as the paint scheme was very complimentary and the silver always looks good with the lights dimmed. I found the engine to be very stable at all times (more so than most reviewers) and powerful and consistent. The horn is great. I do not have a transformer with a bell button, but the bell would mysteriously appear at times and it sounds so good that I’ll likely have to buy a MTH Z-1000 for this set now. All and all, I’m VERY satisfied.
To 2343
I had read reports that this Tuscan GG1 had some problems with imperfections with the paint, was prone to wobble on track when first run, and was tight and rough running even after some considerable breakin. Also the couplers would pull open in both directions when pulling four passenger cars. It is good to know you have not had any of these problems.