The first of the JLC GG1's arrived today, the second should be here this week.
This one was sold as spares or repair, the owner opened the box the other week and the truck frames collapsed, he didn't even take it out of the box, not even for the photos on Ebay, boxed it up and sold it bitterly upset.
I can see his upset, this is a $1000+ model when introduced, reduced to a paper weight to all intents and purposes.
The problem is the Zinc used in the trucks, over time it just degrades and collapses, some models are worse than others, the silver Congressional version seemingly the worst. There are models out there with no ill effects but most owners know it's only a matter of time before they succumb.
To make matters worse, Lionel refused to help or offer replacements, they couldn't, by the time the issue raised it's head they had modified the truck moulds for the Legacy models which followed.
Out of the box we have this mess, actually more than some owners whose trucks have turned to dust, at least there were some parts left, sadly one of the etched truck data plates has gone missing, i'll have to see if I can get a replacement one done somewhere.
The truck consists of two parts, the main zinc part which goes around the drivers, at the rear is the bulbous section where the two trucks join, not scale or authentic in shape but serves a purpose as a light blocker. The frame attaches to the motor block back here and at the front on a tab, both long gone. The zinc truck then travels forward as it tapers and forms the pivot for the articulated pilot, there being a nicely hidden swing section up there. The bogie is attached to the swing pilot.
I tried to pose some shots with what I could salvage, hopeless task.
A close up detail shot of the nose, which better shows some of the other issues with the JLC model, it's good but there are areas for improvement. Conversely the more modern MTH shell is much better, but it's plastic and suffers in details elsewhere. The ideal would be a MTH shell with JLC components where possible.
The pantographs are pretty good for a 3R, the head is a bit clunky and floppy, it's also plastic so a nickel silver replacement is in order, how to deal with the floppiness is another matter, it won't, or shouldn't be an issue when up against the wire as the broad two contact design should level it. It's jus the going up and down bit where it'll look odd.
The JLC model has the option to raise and lower the pans but it's linked into their DCC and I think is simply direction controlled, how, or even if I retain that is another problem solving exercise for another day.
The other niggles are the grill, not really GG1 ish are they and technically the broad strip engines should have a corresponding blanking plate where the stripe is. There are of course several types of grill and toward the end of PRR extra ones were added up on the nose below the pans, sometimes the body side ones were retained, some times just plated over, much later ones has the original opening totally smoothed over.
I'd like at least one with high nose filters, many cry sacrilege as it spoils the clean lines, but the filters were an important improvement to keep them running during severe east coast blizzards.
Moving back a bit we have the sand filler hatch just below the cab screen, too clunky, should be smooth (something the MTH model replicates better). It should be too hard to remove these extras and plate over with a small etch.
Cab side windows are a bit clunky, part of the cast metal shell remit I suppose ,but there might be a way to add a little fidelity in here, why there are two window bars is a bit odd as these went out of favour quite early on. The top one will come out, the lower one replaced with something a bit finer.
Cab doors suffer from jam jar bottom glazing, they are opening which is probably why they look a bit clunky, easy to replace for something a little thinner and more detailed. The steps are actually quite good and have the distinctive kick in under the body, something only higher end models have, they are sadly marred but the little divot in the frame to clear the hand rail....no idea what they are supposed to be but I've called them donuts. These need to be removed and the resultant holes filled and smoothed to match the body and door opening. As a result the opening isn't quite the right profile but that may be a task too far.
Wheels, well they are 3R biscuit tins but the centre casting and cups is actually quite good, it might be possible to extract them off the axles and thin the rears once the tyres are pulled off, I'm quite happy to sacrifice Slaters rims and stuff them on if the centre can be machined to accommodate them. Otherwise it'll be plan B with 3D prints over modified Slaters wheels and then work out how to get the gears on the axles. I'm hoping the axle gears are not part of the centre spoke and cup casting.
There are three types of wheel casting, JLC covers none but isn't a bad representative. I cannot ascertain which or where certain types were fitted, could be two types for each side for example, could be production runs or even replacements, not sure yet. Most of the differences are around the spokes and cup rubbing plates plus the small triangular pair of spokes.
On top of all that I need to work out how to add 2R pick ups in there somewhere as well, if I can insulate the power trucks then I could simply have opposing live ones each side, something to explore as the floor/frame is a simple plate sheet metal affair.
To be honest, a very quick look at the wheel centres did seem to suggest that there was an insulating rim between the axle and centre casting on some of the axles, possibly on the same side as the traction tyres.
Next step was to split it all down.
Lot of gubbins going on in there, most of it will be junked and flogged on Ebay, I don't have a Lionel control system so all the DCC stuff is basically junk. There is no cross cab corridor as the cabs are half shells to hide the pantograph raise and lower motors. If I don't keep them then I'll work up a new cab unit, if I do keep them I'll also work up a new cab unit as the one here can be improved even within the restricted area we have.
The trucks have been split down and the hidden swing joint up front can be seen, I also took out the over scale claw couplers, in fact they were already broken (at the rear end of the coil where it meets the fixing) and given something that's supposed to take a bit of battering they were pretty poor to be honest.
This is what we have left to work with after the initial tear down.
In reality the pilots and that part of the truck frame attached to them will go as well, it'll be an all new etch set up from the coupler to almost back to the leading driver, it may well even go all the way to the rear and wrap around with the cosmetic 3D overlays and rear end wedge and socket bulges modeled to. I need to ascertain which end the socket frame is and conversely the bulge end.
I haven't delved into the power truck too much just yet, I'll do that once most of the interior is cleaned out and I can see what is going on, my gut feeling is that the truck rotates around the motor which is why the front ends swing out so much and require the extra joint up front for the swing pilot. The real truck pivot point is actually ahead of the leading driver, it would be nice if I could move it and replicate that; it'll have an impact on weight distribution I suspect unless I can support it at the rear on the slides like the real thing.
Finally a look down inside.
The two pantograph motors are self evident, whilst the pantographs are sprung the screw jack has a two pronged yoke which means they are either fully up or fully down and locked there in. It should be possible to remove the lug that holds it locked up and rely on the springs to keep it up, keeping the lower lug pans the pan will be free to float to the required height until the motor lowers where upon the lower lug will catch the striker and lower the pan.
If I keep the pan motors then they probably won't stay there, I'll extend the shafts and move them near to the body centre. The shafts should clear the flywheels, if not I'll machine them so they do or even remove. Not even sure what traction motors Lionel use, could be some exotic AC type, in which case alternatives will be required.
The boiler steam (smoke) generator will go, to a new home hopefully and i may keep the speakers, not decided yet, not even sure if anyone else like Loksound do a GG1 sound set.
Now it's a waiting game to see what the next one turns up like, hopefully with intact trucks, not sure why as they'll be swapped out, if they're in good condition someone might pick them up as spares.