Bachmann GG1 with sound

[nkalanaga]

Peteski:  If one turned down the flanges on the Arnold model it would probably be a respectable locomotive, especially for someone willing to do some tinkering.  As the basis for a freelanced electric it should be a very good puller, and would probably outlast the Kato in frequent, heavy service.  Those old Arnolds were tough!

[peteski]

Peteski:  If one turned down the flanges on the Arnold model it would probably be a respectable locomotive, especially for someone willing to do some tinkering.  As the basis for a freelanced electric it should be a very good puller, and would probably outlast the Kato in frequent, heavy service.  Those old Arnolds were tough!

I agree Nick. While the overall shape is not 100% accurate, and the detail level is nowhere near what is done on currently made locos, mechanically they are very simple and robust. Like a Timex watch - they'll keep on ticking, and ticking, and ticking . . .  Their fairly coarse metal gears will not be jammed by even the smallest piece of ballast and no worries about gears cracking.  They are rather noisy, and slow speed is not the greatest, but from the durability standpoint they would be ideal for a store display where they would be running for many hours per day.

As far as the flanges go, back in the late 80s I have turned down the flanges of one of those for my friend. Not only that made them compatible with low-profile track, it has also dramatically improved their appearance.  But as usual for TRW, we are getting way OT here. 

[powersteamguy1790]

I just received my Bachmann GG-1 #4807 yesterday. It's a fine running model in DCC and I agree with Nate's analysis. I could exchange the sound decoder in the GG-1 with an ESU Lok-Sound Select decoder and a Zimo sugar cube speaker, but I'll pass on that option for now as I have too many other projects lined up.

Bob

[peteski]

Mine just arrived - thanks Mark!  At a quick glance I'm impressed and also puzzled at some of the engineering decisions.  I'll do a technical review, but probably after the holidays.  But I will provide some tidbits soon. 

[mu26aeh]

Mine just arrived - thanks Mark!  At a quick glance I'm impressed and also puzzled at some of the engineering decisions.  I'll do a technical review, but probably after the holidays.  But I will provide some tidbits soon. 

Awesome news ! 

[bbussey]

Mine just arrived - thanks Mark!  At a quick glance I'm impressed and also puzzled at some of the engineering decisions.  I'll do a technical review, but probably after the holidays.  But I will provide some tidbits soon. 

Pete, one thing I'm curious about is how easy or difficult it will be to retro fit the Bachmann pantographs to the Kato model.

[peteski]

Pete, one thing I'm curious about is how easy or difficult it will be to retro fit the Bachmann pantographs to the Kato model.

Shouldn't be too difficult  - more details coming later.    But first Bachmann has to start selling the spare parts for GG1 and hopefully they won't be sold out in an instant!

[bbussey]

I inquired as soon as the models started hitting the market, and was told they would be available within the next six months. They probably will be overpriced, but I'll pay the ransom if they are properly equalized and look good. I need them for a handful of Gs and all NH electrics that aren't EP-3 and EF-4. I'm also hoping that they visually aren't that different from the Kato version so that I only need one per model, given that PRR and NH only ran with one pantograph raised unless removing ice from the catenary. The Kato version looks fine at rest, so no need to replace the pantographs that will remain lowered.

[peteski]

I inquired as soon as the models started hitting the market, and was told they would be available within the next six months. They probably will be overpriced, but I'll pay the ransom if they are properly equalized and look good. I need them for a handful of Gs and all NH electrics that aren't EP-3 and EF-4. I'm also hoping that they visually aren't that different from the Kato version so that I only need one per model, given that PRR and NH only ran with one pantograph raised unless removing ice from the catenary. The Kato version looks fine at rest, so no need to replace the pantographs that will remain lowered.

The bottom half is almost identical to Kato's, while the top half is made form wire (instead of stamped metal on Katos). But overall they are quite similar.  And the pickup shoe is metal.

EDIT:
Amazingly, Bachmann pantograph is a direct fit onto the Kato loco!  Well, if both companies properly scaled down accurate 1:1 dimensions then it is not really all that surprising.

The Bachmann insulators fit in the holes of the Kato shell and the pantograph then sits on those insulators. All that has to be done is to add a small styrene spacer in the cente of the base, drill a hole and use the Bachmann mounting screw to fasten the pantograph.

I also think that the upper part of the pantograph might be swapable between them (haven't tried it yet).  Photos will be supplied later. 

[bbussey]

That is freaking outstanding news, far better than I could have hoped. 

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Who would've thought that, in 2016, it'd be good news that you can easily swap in a Bachmann part for a Kato one.

We live in strange times indeed.

[peteski]

Who would've thought that, in 2016, it'd be good news that you can easily swap in a Bachmann part for a Kato one.

We live in strange times indeed.

Indeed Ed. indeed.  For some reason most of the Kato's pantographs are non-operational. They look good and can be raised or lowered but won't contact and properly follow scale catenary.  I suspect this is a cost saving measure and also that it seems that most Japanese modelers are quite content with "imaginary catenary" on their layouts.

Kato's GG1 panto looks marginally better than Bachmann's, but Bachmann's had the advantage of being fully functional.  Yes, that is quite unusual in the larger scheme of things.  I'm actually quite impressed with the Bachmann model, but Kato still leads in  the overall quality, execution, end engineering. But Bachmann's pantograph leads the way in functionality. 

Also keep in mind that all they crazy comparisons and parts-swapping is done by only very few modelers crazy enough to get exactly what they want.

[Dave V]

If the market can handle multiple offerings of the same road-specific locomotive, I'm optimistic about other possibilities.

[Chris333]

Like a heavy pacific 

[peteski]

If the market can handle multiple offerings of the same road-specific locomotive, I'm optimistic about other possibilities.

That remains to be seen (and wait until BLI's GG1 comes out in few years). Talking about market saturation . . .
We don't want Bachmann's GG1 - just its pantographs.