Or you could just watch a film from back then and forget in trying to rebuild something that be never get done.
http://www.youtube.com/user/Conrail6370#play/uploads/12/noRCyFQIgrU

Enjoy,
Len.

But those same fans won't be happy with that since the NE Corridor has concrete ties now. That in itself ruins the potential authentic, historic look if one were to stretch its legs on the corridor.

Back to reality,

When is the last time anyone moved a GG1? Probably the URHS move in NJ about a year ago over friendly rails. To the best of my knowledge the one up in Cooperstown, NY still sits at the junction waiting to go the The Henry Ford museum. Most small shortlines aren't going to want to run something this big. Its heavy and probably doesn't like tight curves.

Also with all the "genset" locomotives now being produced, could a genset be shoe-horned into the body of a GG1? Then there is no need for overhead wires and the unit could move itself, but probably not much more.

Leave 'em stuffed and mounted

We have parts getting made for steam locomotives heck even brand new boilers! Steam is a far gone technology but we still manage but electricity is here and now, the frame work is the best reason I have heard so far for the lack of running GG1's but hell forget all the relays and stuff KISS All you need to do is regulate power to the motors and and use separate circuity for the lights ex ex... (what are the specs for the motors anyway and could newer ones be used)

Like I said, just running power to the motors is like running a steam engine on air. Its not the same thing. Besides, the guts are historic in their own right. If it can't be done right, then it should not be done at all. Although, I'm not thinking of hauling long freights or a long string of passenger cars. Just enough power to move itself and perhaps one or two coaches would be nice.

Quite a challenge.

J.R.

Suppose I need a set of wiring diagrams for a GG1. Where could I obtain those?

Here is a web site you might need to rebuild an GG1.
Good luck.
Len.

http://members.localnet.com/~docsteve/railroad/gg1.htm

Frankly, I would be happy if they were stuff, mounted, and cared for from the inside out. I pretty much know that a GG1, or just about any other ancient heavy electric, will never run again. Too much resistance!

--
Will

Well, I could. Or many EEs that are not too entrenched in the digital age.

Really, this is 1930s transformer technology - hell, it is not even pre-rocket science.

If you want to design a big 25 Hz transformer, get a few period textbooks (available), read up on some Proceedings and/or other industry rags from the era (available), and maybe ask for some advice from the people that design transformers. Plug in the numbers, fiddle things a bit, then...done. Some of the old materials are no longer available, but they can be substituted with modern, better materials.

I live quite close to Hipotronics, and have seen their operation internally more than a few times. Yes, the transformers (and caps) are a bit exotic, but they are still essentially handmade using quite a few old school techniques, but with new materials. Seeing what they do, I firmly believe that one could make a replacement replica-ish GG1 transformer in a well stocked home machine shop.

--
Will

Maybe not as much money as one might think. I would bet that one could make a transformer using voluntary labor for under $20K.

But $15K might be hard to come up with, squeezing it in with that $500K budget for the steam loco restorations.

--
Will

Are we so shallow that we can not appreciate that some electric technology from a bygone time has been restored and proven?

--
Will, deeper than the paint

Funny how this topic seems to come up every three to six months, and gets pretty much the same answers- - -

As far as building a "replica-ish GG-1 transformer in a well stocked home machine shop", I don't think so. I've built transformers for a living. You would need a BIG lathe (or similar) to wind the coils on. Then you need a laminated core. Think coils of steel, cut and laid up. You need a case, regardless of your choice of air cooled or liquid cooled design. You need buss bars, preferably of copper.

Added 7/2: I forgot the insulating varnish tank, overhead crane and oven: bake, dip, bake.

And think of the voltage, 11K, or even higher, 25K if running north of Hew Haven, IIRC Who is going to design this x-fmr? Who is going to do any sort of safety certification on a home-made transformer? Where and how are you going to test it, before installation? This isn't rocket science, but it isn't 115 VAC, either. Think safety-

You may be better off building full-size steam locomotive boilers in the same home machine shop. As I said months ago, I grew up with the G motors, and would love to see one run again, but it is VERY unlikely to happen.

Generally I applaud the "do it yourself on a shoestring" way of thinking.

But sometimes, the professionals' skill and facilities are so overwhelmingly better that they become the only way to go, regardless of the cost. Just have the transformer made by professionals. I know one, they're in Schenectady, NY.


Well, if you follow this forum, you know my opinion on that...

How about East Strasburg to the District of Columbia and return 9 months ago via a shortline and a NorthEast Corridor owner? So, the excuse for actually running a GG-1 could be the bicentennial of Washington's Union Station!

Jim,

I totally forgot that one, thanks!

It's not just a matter of replacing the transformers or using a substitute oil. PCB's migrate all over the locomotive, including areas occupied by the crew. Any outfit operating them would need to certify to the crew that they are safe to occupy. PCB can pass through the skin like water through a seive. EPA mandated museums cleanup of several of the GG1's they became aware of to the tune of over a hundred thousand dollars each. This is kind of like asbestos removal for steam locomotives. The G's had traces of the oil all over them and to make them safe they have to be cleaned down to bare metal, all internal and external surfaces wiped and tested and then the waste paint and rust would need to be analyzed and properly disposed in accordance with USEPA TOSCA regulations.