Model Train Journal

Hello all

Fred Icken was a master builder of scale trains in the 1930's -40's . Icken earned the reputation of building an engine that could run for many hours & miles daily .
Icken pieces were all custom built ..he tried to enter into the mass market but quality of final piece pushed the price tag well above the average model railroader.
Icken offered a GG1 in the late 1930's, catalog illustration shows four motors ...the 2 survivors ( that I know of ...no doubt a few more are out there) ..only have 2 motors .
Icken's body casting is unique with a 2 pieces ..split length wise ..all other "vintage" GG1's manufacturers used a one piece body ..( Alexander , Collier, Baldwin/ Walther's, later Dudey ) .
This example from the late 1930's has fittings for outside 3rd rail sweeps .. however it appears it was always wired for overhead wire only operation ...drivers are not insulated for 2 rail use .
Very smooth runner ...just need to string up more wire for the engine to stretch it's legs. Hand lettering/ stripping .
Please see link for video of engine running


https://youtu.be/HncVD1BNF6I

Cheers Carey

Want me to move a few of your stills over here? Looks like a nice antique!

I think Ikan got the curves on the nose right, better than any one else, well of course thats my opinion. It looks nice on the over head. I wondered if you plan a full loop.

Hello all ...

Bob sure if you know black magic to post photos go for it ...

plans for a over head wire section ...more for trolleys ..but there will be a longer run for the GG1 to play on ..the reverse loops will be too tight for the GG1 .....why not larger reverse loops ???? need a larger basement .

Cheers Carey

Anybody can do this - I will do the first one. Go to OGR with a big computer (apparently not an iPad or phone) and right click on the desired photo.
About three from the bottom you will see "copy image address." (Don't get sucked into a link address, further up the list).

Click that. Then come here, open a reply, hit the Img button above, and then just paste (or control V, on my Dell computer).

Then simply submit. Nothing else is required. Here:

I just followed Bob's instructions, and copied my own picture on the forum ( I can still visit there but can't post ) Wow I might even get good at this "black magic " If I right click and select past it dose not work, I have to use control V.

Try posting one of Carey's Icken GG1 photos here as an exercise. We get them all here, and forumites get to practice.

Testing Bob's black magic...

I bought an unfinished Icken GG1 about 15 years ago. It wad for sale in a yard sale along with an unfinished steam loco. Both were in moldy wood boxes marked Icken/winters. Neither one looked like they were in the right box. Or somebody had pulled out all the moldy padding.
I had stopped at a yard sale in Alpine NJ along the Hudson. The seller had a few more unfinished or poorly stored stuff. I spent what i had on the 2 mentioned. While walking up the driveway a guy pulled in yelling at the seller. Bottom line. I gave the models back and they returned my money. Better to give them back than be a dick

Bob thank you for the directions ,,,,on my computer right click does not offer "copy image address "...only link ... cheers Carey

Carey Williams wrote:Bob thank you for the directions ,,,,on my computer right click does not offer "copy image address "...only link ... cheers Carey

Somehow you had the correct image address and posted it, Carey.

Yes. Go edit your post, typing exactly [img]in%20front%20of%20that%20string,%20and[/img] at the end. Presto.

All the Img button does is eliminate typing all that. You press the button, then paste. Same thing.

Maybe this will help to make things clearer...