The famous GG1

[bob turner]

Maroon and I have been discussing the older GG1 models. For most, the Sunset imports blew away anything else available in O, although if you are careful, the Lionel and MTH die cast models are pretty nice. Watch out for zinc pest.

But doorstop collectors cannot resist. These old sand cast models have been floating around for almost a century, occasionally bringing $500 from the newer enthusiasts.

But now we have a new paradigm - “buy it now” from Trainz for $1789 and change. The really good news is that, for an extra two bucks you can pick it up in person! Yikes!

[Rufus T. Firefly]

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[Chris Webster]

But now we have a new paradigm - “buy it now” from Trainz for $1789 and change.

You can save $17.85 --and earn some credits on your next purchase -- by buying it from their own website instead of going thru feebay.

The really good news is that, for an extra two bucks you can pick it up in person! Yikes!

Their normal in-person pickup charge is $2 for the first item and 50 cents for each additional item. It's a decent deal for those of us local to them (compared to paying for purchases to be shipped locally.) They are not a retail shop you just can walk into, so I think it's perfectly reasonable for them to have a small charge for in-person pickups.

I think they also offer free shipping when the order total is over a certain amount, so this GG1 probably comes with free shipping if you buy it directly from their website. (Go ahead and buy it Bob and then let us know if the shipping was free. )

Come to think of it, Covid has actually made it easier to pickup in person from them. If the before times, you could show up anytime they were scheduled to be open... but once I showed up on my day off and they had a note on the door saying they were closed that afternoon. (I think Pete had a similar experience as well.)

Covid caused them to implement an appointment system for pickups - it is a little annoying to have schedule 24 hours in advance, but they've always been there when I've showed up to my appointment.

[bob turner]

Well, I put it in the same class as that $600 IMP tank car OMPSKTM sold about ten years back. Of course it has to sell at that price. True value $2-300.
Yes, I saw the steeplecab. A little over the top, but value is probably the same $2-300, if it runs smoothly.

[Rufus T. Firefly]

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[bob turner]

Me too - 2 of them, no power. Average cost $65. Really nice, well-built models, but power needs to be NWSL/Escap.

[bob turner]

Here is the model that sort of sparked this thread - an Alexander/Duddy model with aluminum superstructure. Jim is looking at an identical model with bronze superstructure. Same mold, probably, except that Ed Alexander made two molds - the earlier one had E6-like noses. He corrected that, and his later bodies are fairly accurate. The mechanism is sort of strange; the wheelbase does not match the truck side frames. A guy named Bogardus did an extensive review in a long ago OSR.

[bob turner]

You might note the smudges on the sides - I should have wiped them off, when I cleaned the dust off the top. The finish is high-gloss acrylic clear.

[bob turner]

This one is my original GG1 - casting was from Dan Henon, and of unknown provenance. It was inaccurate in several areas, mostly fixed with Bondo. Ed Alexander himself sold me the side frames, which now have .032 brass backup for depth and strength.



I now have, by actual count, five ancient GG1 doorstops, and have assembled three others for friends. If considering one of these doorstops, the best thing you can do is purchase a Wolfers/Duddy truck casting set from Stevenson Preservation, and power that. If you look at the $1750 model on the eBay, you will see a truly anachronistic mechanism and maybe even a center rail pickup. Awk! Beware such bargains.

[Chris Webster]

Some prototype content - here's a Kodachrome slide on ebay showing Conrail's bicentennial and five other GG1s pulling a freight on July 5 1976:
ConRail (CR) - GG1 - #4800 - Original 35mm Slide

[bob turner]

Carey has a "new". GG1 - we should get him to post it here.

[E7]

It is very likely the WORST version ever done, and maybe the most expensive considering it's time of production.

[up148]

When I see models listed by Trainz on EB I don't even open it. Their pricing is absurdly high in most cases. Example is the GG1 mentioned and they listed another 1st run (1980's) OMI Big Blow on EB for over $4000, which is criminal. They got lucky about 6-8 months ago and screwed someone really bad with another example of this model.....it sold for $3000+. Bill Davis has the latest 1993 run listed on his website for $4250 and being road number #30 (the last one built) and a completely different roof intake system, it is the rarest of the Big Blows. I find Trainz ignorant of their market.....but as they say.....even a blind squirrel finds a nut every now and then.

[robert.]

Carey has a "new". GG1 - we should get him to post it here.

Is that the GG1 that looks like jimmy Durante?

[bob turner]

Agree with the early Overland. Pretty, but poorly built.

Agree with the "schnozz" comment.

But I actually saw parts of this one, and volunteered to fix the nose. Carey is preserving history more than creating accurate state-of-the-art models. Making this one actually run again is a serious accomplishment!