Hello list,
I've been rebuilding a mid-1980s IHC GG1. ?The model started out life as a Tuscan Red unit numbered 4828.
My grandfather had displayed the model and he ran it infrequently. ?I wanted to make it run better and I also wanted to add a decoder. ?My first adventure was about 30 minutes of wheel cleaning with a Brite Boy. ?
This version of the model only picked up power from 4 wheels on each side (2 of the pilot wheels and 2 of the drivers, and the factory motor had a lot of cogging action when I turned it by hand. ?My first relatively easy task was to replace the pilot truck wheelsets with 36" wheelsets from Intermountain to get RP25 flanges on at least the most visible trucks. ?I did not consider turning down the flanges on the drivers. ?
I disassembled the model down to the frame and I ended up cutting away a lot of plastic in the center of the model so I could fit a larger motor from Walthers.
I had some Grandt Line electrical pickups on hand and I added those to each of the power trucks, so the model now picks up power from 6 wheels on each side. ?Not perfect, but better. ?I reinstalled the trucks and sideframes on the model before I secured the motor in place with silicone bath caulk. ?The installed motor covers up two of the screws used to secure the power truck/sideframe combination. ?
I elected to use the IHC springs to connect the new Walthers motor to the existing power trucks; you could also use Hobbytown or NWSL Universals if you have them. ?I have the chassis completed to the point where I've test run it on the layout for about 20 minutes. ?I have not yet added headlights; I like to do soldering in cooler weather than we've got now. ?
This will not be a stump pulling model (as I rebuilt it, it weighs 11 ounces), but it runs smoothly with four passenger cars on my test layout with code 83 track. ?Paint and decals for survivor 4877 to follow. ?I was a child when 4877 was repainted into Tuscan Red (a scheme she never wore for the PRR) for her final years of service with NJ Transit. ?I am leaning towards her current Dark Green Locomotive Enamel (also known as Brunswick Green) scheme.
Doug Kisala
rcjge