Which N scale GG1?

[bman]

I am! I actually meant @btrain . You damn Ohio Brians and your similar usernames... lol

I figured I'd get mistaken for Bachman.......  which at one time worried me.

[greenwizard88]

Decide which pantograph you prefer. IIRC the Bachmann one is sprung, and you can get replacements if you accidentally break it, while the Kato one is more plastic-y and replacements are harder to find, but you can set it to any height.

[peteski]

If it was me I would go for the Kato model (they run so well and they have better looking wheels) and replace the pantos with Bachmann units (ordered as spare parts). Yes, sound decoder install is not plug-n-play, but I love a challenge.    As for throwing traction tires - if they are handled gently, the tires should stay put.  But I'm a Kato fan-boy and my layout is NTRAK layout, so the super details are not as important as sturdiness.

But if the paint schemes are not correct then that might weight on your decision (I'm not a PRR expert).

And in the year 2025 the Arnold GG1s are fine museum pieces.   

[bbussey]

Decide which pantograph you prefer. IIRC the Bachmann one is sprung, and you can get replacements if you accidentally break it, while the Kato one is more plastic-y and replacements are harder to find, but you can set it to any height.

The Kato pans were more readily available when the models were being released regularly.  I still like that mechanism and have used it's components and overall design for many of my scratchbuilt New Haven electrics.  Regarding which pan is better — The Bachmann pan clearly is superior, but is much more expensive.  The Kato pan is not equalized, but looks fine at rest and is less expensive (when in stock).  I use one of each on my scratchbuilt models — the Kato pan in the front, which always stays at rest, and the Bachmann pan in the rear, which always is raised.  There are turn-around loops on my layout so the electrics always travel forward other than motive power changes on passenger consists in New Haven.  At some point I will figure out how to mount Bachmann pans on Kato Gs, as I have a few running in the Conrail era.

[Dave V]

Thanks, guys, and in typical Railwire fashion you're suggesting kitbashing while I'm just looking to have some T-Trak fun. 

I want one with sound and DCC, and while I have a Kato GG1 in which I installed DCC, I've never attempted to add sound inside a Kato G. I think I'll try the Bachmann just to see.

Time was when I was a hardcore PRR has-to-be-correct SPF modeler. Now I have the RGS to scratch that itch.

[Point353]

Where's the love for Arnold-Rapido? 



-Mark

It went the way of the white metal couplings (that no longer have a grip) on the ends of the GG1 motor driveshafts.
 

[arbomambo]

Dave,
I have a Kato Tuscan 5-stripe GG1 with Digitrax decoder installed if you’re interested. (About 15 minutes run time)
Also, a complete Kato Broadway limited set with 4 car add-on.