GG1 trucks

[bob turner]

Long time watchers will remember that Stevenson Preservation was ready to supply really nice GG1 truck sideframes in brass. The 3-rail crowd opted for urethane castings, which was ok with me - it worked.

The original impetus was the Lionel scale GG1 - a truly nice model with rotten sideframes and no factory support.

The process broke down before the market died, and now one poster is looking for data to do 3D printing.

My question - to this small but astute group - is: have we progressed to the point where we can stick a complex part in a 3D scanner and ask it to generate files for the printing process? If so, has it progressed to the point of practicality for our hobby?

It sure sounds like we are getting there -

[Rufus T. Firefly]

have we progressed to the point where we can stick a complex part in a 3D scanner and ask it to generate files for the printing process?

Pretty sure that's doable.

If so, has it progressed to the point of practicality for our hobby?

Practicality or economically?

[bob turner]

They are back at it.

Bob Stevenson has perfectly good brass lost wax GG1 trucks - possibly the best in the business. They are currently lamenting the lack of sideframes for the JLC variety - apparently a huge percentage of this series has crumbling trucks.

Bob was ready, but they (the OGR participants) chose urethane castings. The urethane sideframes are no longer available.

The GG1s with crumbling sideframes are still $700 and up on the used market. If they ever drop to a reasonable price for defective casting models I will convert one to Stevenson trucks.

[steamaheadstephen59]

Ive been thinking of trying a Williams or a Weaver GG1, my idea of a good price is $100.00 unless the Australia doller improves, but that doesn't happen often enough, don't care if it does not run, for some reason,( electronics ) as long as the motors etc are all there. The Lionel JLC GG1 would be the perfect go, since that 1/2 inch short fall is a little irritating, and Lionel got it right. The crumbling side frames are kind of a deal breaker. I couldn't find the GG1 side frames on the Stevenson web site, but it could bring confidence to a JLC purchase.

[sleepmac]

I have an aluminum GG1 body only. (House of Duddy? ) It is rough, as it came out of the mold. I also was not able to see GG1 trucks on the Stevenson website. Years ago I missed a complete drivetrain on the Bay. Tell you what, Stephen, if you want the shell, I will ship it to you, free!

Dan Weinhold

[steamaheadstephen59]

Dan The idea hatching in my mind was! If I could find a 3rail GG1 cheap enough I would convert it to battery power ( no need for 3 rail electronics ) and to complete the economically, simple approach, I would add a simple PWM speed controller to the roof masquerading as the funnel on the roof. This is all I need for my simple 161/2'x181/2' oval, completely dead rail, no conversions to two rail, just keep it as simple as possible. Id need a little more than just the shell, but thanks, postage to Australia is expensive too!

I was also inspired by Carey Williams videos. He will often just slip the reverse unit over from neutral to forward and of the loco goes, if you just wont to watch the loco do loops why complicate things.

It would be nice to see the Stevenson side frames, maybe they would just the thing to help with your House of Dubby GG1 body

[bob turner]

Stand by - I will post photos.

Bob has the Wolfer molds, and maybe the patterns as well. Two different flavors. I don’t know why he doesn’t advertise them. They are easily the best and most accurate this side of Kohs.

I have photos of them and the Lionel ones that crumble.

My thought, as above, was to capture the Lionel, presumably almost worthless without side frames, and install the Stevenson trucks. But crumbling side frame models still sell for $900, so nope.

While you wait for me to grab photos, go here:

https://ogrforum.com/topic/lionel-gg1-l ... ***?page=1

[bob turner]

Here we go - from the above thread. I note that Bob has the masters, but not the molds. That means $150 before he can start producing castings. That's why they are not catalogued.

[bob turner]

If you go to the thread linked above, you will find that Hennings Models produced some stunning repros in a hard plastic. They were dirt-cheap, at $100 for a ship set. Apparently the mold wore out, and the economics of doing a new mold have stymied the project.

I do not have a dog in this one, but I still stand ready to convert a JLC with crumbling side frames. The carcass has to be almost free. I have plenty of GG1s, including two with Wolfer trucks, and have spare truck castings when that day arrives. Back to the BiPolar project - no, wait! Off to the airport!