Who Made It and When?

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

[:)]

Today I bought a rather beat up HO GG1 in PRR Tuscan Red colors and No 4877. It has working pantographs that are disconnected and a two-pole open motor on one “truck.” There is a shaft connection from the truck with the motor to the other truck. Each truck drives only two of the three axles. It has what I believe are called horn couplers. Inside it has what looks like a small selenium rectifier, which I imagine is to direct electrical power to the front or rear headlight, depending on the direction of the applied voltage. The electric motor looks just like the one on my 1952 Varney F-Unit, except that it is a tad larger, and the transfer gear and worm drives are the same basic design as on the F-Unit.

The name “Japan” appears on the bottom of each truck, but I can find no other markings.

Can anyone tell me the manufacturer and age of this loco?

[:)] [:)]

2

I have 2 guesses, Varney and PennLine, Varney was usually all metal/brass, PennLine had plastic.

3

Actually it was neither one. The trucks had Japan stamped on them. Those two companies made all their models here in the good ole USA!

Probably an International or early Tenshodo. Circa 1957-1959. Without a brass guide in front of me thats my guess.

4

[:)]

Here’s a pic.

[:)] [:)]

5

[:)]

I found one for sale on e-Bay. Seller says it’s a Varney. I’m guessing date is about 1970.

[:)] [:)]

6

I believe Penn Line did make their early GG1’s with a big rectifier in them. I’m not sure if it was for AC running, or directional lighting. I’m sure it’s a PL or Varney from the picture. It’s older than 1970 - probably early 60’s or older.

7

If the “Japan” on the bottom of the loco means anything at all, its this;

It CANNOT be either a Penn Line or a Varney! Both of those companies GG1’s were made in the USA, and not “Japan”.[soapbox]

It can be any of a half a dozen or more of other manufacturers/importers, but, Penn Line or Varney isn’t one of them.

8

Try Fomaco as the manufacturer. They are still offered on E Bay. I am surprised at the price people bid on a shortened version when there are so many scale ones available.

9

I remember TYCO offered a GG1 model years ago, never saw one in person but from the picture in the catalog it had a C-C wheel arrangement and a fuel tank. Not ones for being prototypical there.

10

I don’t think it would be either Varney or Penn Line, because both model mechanisms were made here in the USA.

If I remember correctly, PFM imported some electric locos made by either United or Tenshodo back in the 'sixties–I know there were some GN models available. Though I don’t remember a GG-1, I’m wondering if perhaps it might be an older PFM import?

Tom [:)]

11

I have the GG-1 engine with the #4917 number it has the electrical rectifier inside and the trucks have Japan stamped on the bottom of them.

http://hoseeker.net/pennline/pennlinegg1instrpg04.jpg

I would guess 4877 is also a Penn Line.

You maybe able to find more info here.

http://hoseeker.net/pennlineinstructions.html

http://www.hoseeker.net/pennlineinformation.html

Larry

12

I forgot to add this link and pictures in my last comment about the GG1.

http://www.bowser-trains.com/hoother/gg1ref.pdf

Larry

13

That word “Japan” does seem to rule out the Varney/Penn Line selectively compressed (that is, shortened) GG1. There were some brass GG1s back in the day – didn’t Lambert have one?

Dave Nelson

14

That’s exactly how my Varney was built. I don’t remember if it said Japan or not. It was a later, cheaper version with plastic trucks and gearing.

15

I usually avoid brass models not sold with their original boxes. Some ebay sellers really don’t know what they are selling, or are mistaken. I want to know what I’m buying.

Mark