I'm awake... I just don't do well with waiting, mine is on order and now the model looks better than expected and the wait is longe than expected. I can't look.
No, not really. Need more sleep. However, that GG1 looks really great. Hard to justify one when your modeling BNSF. I'm sure I will enjoy all the pictures of them that will be seen here soon. The detail looks sharp and should be a real winner for all the Pensy folks.
It should look great pulling a Southern Crescent consist from NYC to DC. If Walthers comes through with the SRR and early PRR 10-6 sleepers, that is. Plus baggage/mail, lounge and observation some day. Not asking for much. I already have the Kato Budd diner for a stand-in. Ben
I've ordered one also, even though I do not model electrified territory. Maybe I'll have to build a module one of these years. This is a fantastic model (assuming the usual Kato running qualities). I can see the subtle difference between black (underframe) and the DGLE carbody. If the pantagraphs become available as a separate item, there's a lot of N scalers who will want to upgrade their old electrics, I bet.
In the second picture the gap between the car body and the front truck seems too wide. Compare with first photo. Maybe in second photo the truck is derailed? Hard to tell. Also, as on the prototype, the front trucks are not attached to the body. That means all of the locomotive's weight is on the 12 drive wheels. It also means that the front trucks will be more prone to derailing on defective track. I have two of the Kato EF57 electrics where this same arrangement is used and those engines are the two most sensitive to less than perfect track. Still, it is the way the prototype did it.
I have the same problem with the rear trucks on my GS4 which "float" also. When backing into my "yard" with a full consists on a curve, you can see the weight of all the cars pushing against the rear of the GS4 lifting it slightly as it gets tighter into the curve. That's when the rear trucks always derail. The solution for me is to have a wider radius turn but at present, I do not have the room on my layout to do so. When I expand my layout from the dining table to the upstairs bedroom, then I should have more room. I sure you are correct about the GG1 front trucks but I can live with it.
Just because the carbody doesn't attach directly to the truck bolster doesn't mean that the trucks don't carry carbody weight . A lever and spring arrangement might be utilized as in many pilot and trailing wheels . That method helps keeping downward pressure on the wheels , and by doing so actually shares in the weight distribution . Having said that , I have no way of knowing what , if any method Kato is using . The cheap method would be just to weight the truck or its wheels to keep them tracked .
The prototype GG1 running gear is composed of two cast steel frames with an articulating hinge between them. Each frame contains three sets of drivers and one four wheel truck. The trucks support the ends of the frames on lateral motion bearings. The carbody is an independent assembly which is supported by sliding bearings on top of the pair of frames. This allowed the 79 foot long locomotive to easily negotiate curves at 100 mph speeds. The six pairs of drivers only support about 303,000 lbs, (64%) of the 477,000 pound total weight of the locomotive. The 2 trucks support the remaining 174, 00 lbs (36%). The weight of the locomotive included 23,000 lbs, (2,761 gal), of water and 3,000 lbs, (424 gal), of fuel oil for the train heating boiler. Here’s a link to some photos of the running gear: The Pennsylvania Railroad GG1: Quill Drive
inkaneer, I think the shell isn't pushed down far enough on one end. If you look at the video you can plainly see a difference in height between the front and back. N-Scale GG1 - KATO USA : Precision Railroad Models
I'm buying one just because it's so dang appealing. If the prototype police show up at the door, I'll add a flatcar w/generator load and a couple of tank cars behind the engine. "Cantenary? We don't need no stinkin cantenary."
I've seen this in other Kato ads before. They probably use a professional photographer rather than staff....who would presumably be familiar with model trains.
Okay, I just have to say it. That GG1 looks better with one truck derailed than half of my N scale fleet! :thumbs_up:
Wow. Never imagined that they'd do an Amtrak engine on their first run. I know, I can already hear it... "an Amtrak engine???" but it is. 4935 was one of two Amtrak engines that were restored to its PRR number and paint scheme, and given the name Black Jack by railfans... 4+9+3+5=21!!! The model looks just as good as the prototype did... http://rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1030269 http://rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1030268 http://rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=821533 She was a fine engine... its a shame that modernization caused her demise and eventual stuffing and mounting. She should have been left to run!!!
