Bachmann GG-1 N Scale

[mmagliaro]

Online retailers still show these as $349 w/sound and $239 without (list).  How come the new prices are quoted so much higher in that NMRA ad?

The street prices I'm seeing are very aggressive.
The street price on the Bachmann for the DC version (DCC ready) is as low as $120, very close to Kato's pricing, so they haven't priced themselves out of the game just yet if those prices hold. 

[nscaler711]

If modeled correctly, the GG-1 pantos are quite distinctive. They are large conventional pantographs, not the more modern single-arm HHP-8. Not an off the shelf item.

The old Arnold GG-1 used standard small generic European-style pantos (fully operational) but then Kato made the GG-1 with a correctly modeled GG-1 pantograph which looks so much better than the Arnold one.  Like I said, it is really too bad that is is not fully functional (ad I just mean spring and equalized - it wouldn't have to actually pick up current - just follow the catenary wire).

I know the difference between the pantos, I had a GG1 from Kato, I was expressing that Bachmann has it in their will power to make the GG1s so that they can run off of a live wire......

[up1950s]

I think that having an cat system is doable if one doesn't try to do the whole layout . Say you just crossed the electrified main , not used it as your model railroad main . That cat-ed main was just a loop in and out if sight . The section in sight has overhead , and the section out of sight might not need it , and if so a rise in the cat would allow the pans to transition . The non-cat-ed main is where you run your other stuff , has sidings , engine shops , etc . This way the cat-ed section is not so much of a challenge . Did the cat-ed main ever go in a tunnel ? If not a view block would be needed for it to get out of sight .

[Chris333]

There is a pic of the N scale GG1 on the back of the latest MR.

[nkalanaga]

Richie:  Using hidden loops with visible catenary doesn't require any fancy transition.  On my MILW, which is is basically the same idea, a hidden track to a visible interchange, the hidden trackage has "overhead" made made from code 40 rail soldered to brass brackets. 

The visible overhead wire rises after the first bracket, and is anchored to the second one, while the rail extends a little beyond the first, and is angled up to make a transition.  The rail is upside down, so the pan runs on the head of the rail, which is a little lower than the standard wire height.   

No hangers to come loose, it won't get out of adjustment, and the transition works very nicely.

[bbussey]

Video is up on Bachmann's FB page covering their products on display at Indy.  The pantos don't look bad.  The chrome can be blackened.  They appear to be equalized.  The question (other than the obvious "will they be available as separate parts") is how adaptable are they to the Kato models, and how close are they in appearance to the Kato panto once blackened?  Because only one is needed per model if running under simulated (or actual) catenary.

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[peteski]

Video is up on Bachmann's FB page covering their products on display at Indy.  The pantos don't look bad.  The chrome can be blackened.  They appear to be equalized. 

Wow!  Bachmann actually did something right?!  Well, if we count the color then got it almost right. 

[nkalanaga]

I don't know about the PRR, but MILW  pans were "thin metal" tubing (aluminum?), with cast aluminum joints, and painted red.  They were designed to self-destruct if they got tangled in the overhead, to minimize damage to the catenary.