Bachmann GG1 with sound

[Nato]

                    I received my Bachmann GG1 with sound in the single stripe paint scheme. Bachmann has done a wonderful job with this model. The size and style of the lettering font looks correct to me for this era paint scheme. Having a DC only layout the sound that I get when running is that of the real locomotive starting up and humming along. It sounds to me like the bell tries to ring at low starting speed, but I could not ever go slow enough to keep it triggered. Both headlights remain on in DC regardless of direction. I will not get to access the other functions until the Wasatch N Scale layout is set up at another show and I can run with our NCE DCC system. Like other recent Bachmann models there is a small plastic bag with Rapido Couplers to reverse engineer the couplers (egad who would want to do this) also in the bag small ladders that go under the cab doors if you want to attach them. I better fill out my warrantee card and send it in although I do not expect any problems with this model, unlike Kato where traction tires kept coming off, and I have only run my Kato Multi Stripe locomotive a handful of times. The DLG paint on the Bachmann model looks nice to me you must remember it was in 1958 and the early 60's that I got to ride on trains pulled by these locomotives when we would go back to New York to visit my dads parents who lived in Brooklyn so my memories may be a bit senior impaired by now. Yes Bachmann has done a wonderful job. Nate Goodman (Nato). Salt Lake, Utah. 

[eja]

Regardless what coulour the DLG paint is, add enough dark locomotive grime and dirt ant it will perfect - just the I remember them too running down the NEC.

eja

[peteski]

Nate, you didn't mention the most important thing about the model: pantographs!  Are they sprung and equalized (so then don't fold down asymmetrically to the front or back like the dummy Kato pantos)?  Is their pickup shoe plastic or metal?

Kato models are precise and delicate. Not toys. They will throw the tire when handled roughly (or slid down the track when they are stopped).  This is also true of the GS-4s and FEF3s. Treat those models well and they will provide excellent and trouble-free service. 

[Xmtrman]

BTW, the Spook has weighted in:

http://www.spookshow.net/loco/bachgg1.html

[basementcalling]

So let me get this straight. People are going to buy an HO (Horribly Overpriced) locomotive (I consider even the DCC ready version overly expensive because you evidently are paying some part of the cost for the expensive extra engineering to include the sound decoder even though that is an additional expense.)

So the street price is north of $200 most places for a sound equipped locomotive model of a prototype that made almost no sound under most normal operational conditions?
This from Spookshow

Note that the prototypical GG-1 was an electric locomotive and, as such, generated little or no sound (often to the detriment of railroad workers, who nicknamed it "the widowmaker"). In other words, don't be alarmed when you fire up your GG-1 model and it doesnt make any sound at all - that's prototypical.

I see MBK has already put the DCC versions on sale to further reduce the $400 MSRP $100 further than their normal discount, but have no non DCC versions listed yet. All this makes a K4 look like a bargain bin buy.


BLW felt compelled to add this notice to their page, which by the way lists the sound equipped version at a lower price than the non DCC versions.
http://www.buynscale.com/bachmann-gg1.htm

GG-1 Price Increase. Please note:
    
Analog Version
DCC w/SoundTraxx Version
Original Announced List Price   
$239.00
$349.00
Newly Announced List Price   
$349.00
$399.00

Because of the dramatic price increase in the Analog Version, we have cancelled all analog reservations. We expect to ship all DCC/SoundTraxx versions as released. As of 11/15 - only 65351 and 65352 have been shipped by Bachmann. We are not accepting any new reservations at this time but will list for general sale new releases as they become available.

How is it that the non DCC version comes in a whopping $110 over initial estimates, but the sound equipped version only costs $50 over the initially stated price?  And the sound decoder is only $50 dollars of the total cost if I subtract the substantial cost of the non DCC engine from the DCC equipped version?

Something doesn't add up to my consumer pocket book.

[Chris333]

I smell a bankruptcy coming 

[C855B]

I dunno about the "no sound" thing. My last up-close and personal encounter with an in-service GG-1 was in 1979, in the catacombs of Penn Station. I could not believe how noisy the blowers were, even just sitting there at idle. Yes, the basement confines probably played a role in the perception, but it seemed to me to be as noisy or noisier than any 2nd-generation diesel.

[Nato]

                Dang me, yes I forgot to mention the "Pantographs" which are hard to unlock with out looking at directions, and since this locomotive can be operated off of live overhead (but not easy see Spookshow review)  the collector shoes are metal. Nate Goodman (Nato). Spookshow's review is very nice and complete.   

[peteski]

                Dang me, yes I forgot to mention the "Pantographs" which are hard to unlock with out looking at directions, and since this locomotive can be operated off of live overhead (but not easy see Spookshow review)  the collector shoes are metal. Nate Goodman (Nato). Spookshow's review is very nice and complete.   

Thanks for reminding ma about Spookshow. He has become the go-to website for the earliest reviews of new models!

One thing I see right away is that this is no Kato model. Lot a low-friction mechanism and white plastic gears (which incite fear among the people who were in the past burned by cracked nylon gears).

Here is an excerpt about pantographs: The sprung pantographs are metal and adjustable (you can either have them all the way up, or locked down flat). And despite what Bachmann may say on their website, the pantographs are not functional (insofar as they are not designed to conduct current from overhead wires to the locomotive PC board). My suspicion is that that bit of misinformation was a copy/paste error from the feature list for Bachmann's earlier HO scale GG-1.

I sincerely hope that those will be available as replacement parts!  But it is also worrisome to see the extended pantograph on the top review potos leaning toward the center of the loco. Hmm. If they are spring but not equalized then this is not so good.

What I do like about these is that the bars across the side windows look much daintier than Katos.

The full review is at http://spookshow.net/loco/bachgg1.html

[Chris333]

$399, but can be had for $199   

I give up.

[basementcalling]

$399, but can be had for $199   

I give up.

I wonder if I can just get them to give me the $200 if I don't want a GG1?

Chris, you've identified where the bankruptcy will come from.

[nkalanaga]

The Rapido couplers may be for European purchasers, where they're still the most common coupler.

[eric220]

Anybody got a video?

[Frisco Larry]

The loco comes with both headlights on at all times (not directional) Is this prototypical or not?

[nkalanaga]

I doubt it.  That would usually only be seen on switch engines, or road engines doing a lot of switching, and even then it seems to have been a road-by-road option.