I have a Marklin GG-1 with DCC. a) How can I keep the shell attached?? It is forever dropping off if I picked the loco up. b) Is there a front of back to this critter and if there is how do I tell one end from the other?? I'm primarily interested in setting the "front"/"rear" lights. Thanks. ...don a
Don, I can't help you with the first part because my two don't have a problem with the shell falling off. As for the second part, The end with the grill (and if memory serves me, the "screw" for selecting power from the pantograph) is the back. See the following diagram: http://prr.railfan.net/diagrams/PRRdiagrams.html?diag=gg1.gif&sel=ele&sz=sm&fr= Hope this helps. Dan S.
Well, helped a little as I never noticed the grill(s) before. Only problem is that both ends of the shell have a grill and always on the same side if you swap front/rear ends of the engine. IOW if you swap the direction of the engine the grill is always at the right end as shown in the diagram. ...don a
While I haven't handled a GG-1 in many years... most Marklin electric locos have a directional arrow stamped on the bottom of the chassis. Flip it over and take a look.
After a pretty good study with a good magnifying glass I couldn't find any arrows. Dan has probably solved it with the pantograph screw being at the rear. There is a single screw that comes off-center off the motor board and extends up through the shell. This means the shell can fit on only one way and I'm assuming that is the rear of the engine. I don't have a pantograph setup so never thought about that info and don't have any paperwork. Possibly someone who has a pantograph layout will jump in here as don't see how the screw would activate the pantograph unless it is just a clever electrical switch. The light bulbs are like nothing I ever seen before as they seem to be tiny cubes of plastic with the bulb imbedded and two copper prongs from the electrical board are touching the back of the bulb to supply electricity. Makes the whole thing pretty pricy, especially with 20 wheels on the track - although not my best puller. ...don a
My two GG1s were absolutely hopeless pullers and struggled with 7 coaches. I put a steel weight at either end in that big empty space and they now pull the big coal hopper rake with no problems. The four wheel trucks don't bounce off the rails at switches like they used to as well. Its about time Marklin got off their asses and did some new colour schemes for them as well, a tuscan red one and an Amtrak liveried one would go down well with me. KEV
I don't know GG1's, but it was brought up when Kato did them in N scale that the only small details between the front and back were screwed up by Kato. But they are small details. Here if you look on the roof right above the ladders, you see little vents on one side and not the other: http://www.katousa.com/N/GG1/pics/GG1pics5b.jpg Sorry I don't know what end is front, but if the Marklin shell doesn't have the small vents I'd say you get to pick.
Found this: [QUOTE]The half of the GG1 that contained the steam boiler was designated the "front" or end #1 the other half was designated end #2. Most GG1's had an "F" on the carboby to indicate the front end[/QUOTE]
The Z doesn't have vents per se. One end has a few more protrusions than the other and these probably depict the vents. In the GG-1 N Scale photo there is a small "bump" at the right end just to the rear of the vents. This is the approximate location of the pantograph screw. If someone would like a couple of photos I'll get them but not until Monday. In any event the pantograph screw can serve as a directional indicator. Since the engine is DCC and may wind up anywhere on the tracks I'd surely like to come up with an easy way of telling front from rear so when starting the engine 'forward' means something. Obviously if there is a string of cars it will be obvious. As someone said it just may be a flip of the coin - paint a "big red dot" on one end and let it go from there. Where's Loren - he can solve any problem. ...don a
ballast weights Here is a pic of one of my GG1s with the steel weights fitted. These have transformed the performance of the locos. All they are is some 1/4" steel square bar filed at one end to fit inside the triangular strengtheners on the chassis, painted black so they don't rust and fixed with a bit of 5 minute epoxy.
Is that pin / screw just to the left of the center of the engine, which I presume is for the pantograph, the front or rear of the engine as Marklin intended ?? ...don a
Now that is just too easy a solution Just proves I'm getting too old to play with trains. Thanks. ...don a
I will assume the screw that switches from wheel pick-up to pantograph pick-up is the rear side of the loco. Again, this is my experiance with other Marklin electric locos. Also, take a look at this Marklin document... http://www.maerklin.de/service/produktservice/listengenerator.php?artikelnummer=88490
I just took this picture of mine. I have the front on the left. The pantograph screw is on the right top. I can find no other markings. And yes, I switched out the Markilin couplers and put in MTL. I also suppose you could leave the rear pantograph up and the front down. This would help decide from a distance, front or back.
These two photos answer my question. I have this shell plus the regular green one. Now all I have to do is keep them attached when I pick up the engine a little carelessly. Thanks all for resolving the forward / reverse question. ...don a
I just bought the Marklin Z scale GG1 88492. I haven't got it yet but I'm excited and can't wait. I'm going to switch couplers and make it DCC. I like the weight idea and will do that. But is there a direct fit DCC board for this engine? If anyone know please let me know. I've seen pics of one that would go where the extra weight would go. Would be cool if one replaced the Marklin board.
