23832
PRR GG1 Electric Loco, 4935, Brunswick Green, Sound, Limited Edition





During the Great Depression in the United States, the Pennsylvania Railroad boldly accelerated the electrification of its lines in the “Northeast Corridor.” For this, new electric locomotives were needed, and around 1935, the GG1 was chosen as the Pennsy’s new electric motive power. These powerful and fast locomotives fascinate with their timeless appearance and strength. 139 GG1s were made until production ended in 1943, but they provided many more decades of reliable passenger and freight service to the Pennsy and the railroads that followed it.
This classic loco is now available as a G-scale model through the collaboration of the model makers of LGB and Aster in Japan. Like other Aster models, the body is crafted from metal, but the required pulling power is provided by two reliable LGB drive units. The impressive model features detailed and illuminated cabs with directional lighting and illuminated number boards. Thanks to its onboard decoder, the loco can be used on both analog and MTS layouts. And of course, the loco features the original sounds of this legendary electric loco. Bring this piece of Pennsylvania Railroad history to life on your LGB layout!
Limited Edition: 250 pieces

In North America, this is an Authorized Train Stop Exclusive product.


The Prototype
As early as 1915, the Pennsylvania Railroad (PRR) - "The Standard Railroad of the World" - began using electric locomotives on a number of suburban lines around Philadelphia. In 1927, Westinghouse introduced an electric motor that fit between the wheels of a locomotive, opening the way for fast and efficient electric locomotives. In 1931, the PRR decided to convert the mainline from Washington D.C. to New York City to electric motive power.
However, the PRR's first electric passenger train locos, called P-5a, were a disappointment. Unable to haul more than 10 of the heavyweight steel passenger cars, their rough running and cracks in the axles led to their premature retirement. The engineers did not like them because compared to steam locomotives, the end cabs did not offer much crash protection at the many level crossings.
The subsequent model was equipped with two center cabs. Comparative tests between a loco with a rigid four-axle drivetrain (2-D-2) and an articulated loco with two sets of three-axle drivetrains (2-C+C-2) showed the better running characteristics of the articulated drivetrain. Accordingly, the GG1 was produced with an articulated chassis. The streamlined bodyshell was reworked by the famous industrial designer Raymond Loewy, who also designed the paint scheme. The result is one of the classic icons of locomotive history. Altogether, 139 GG1 were built between 1934 and 1943. They were equipped with an oil-fired steam boiler to heat the passenger cars. Therefore, this electric loco had filler pipes for fuel oil and water.
For many decades, these fast locomotives were the trademark of the Pennsylvania Railroad. Initially most were used in passenger service, but later they could be observed hauling freight trains as well. The last GG1 were retired in 1983, after they had been operated by the successor companies of the "Pennsy" - Penn Central, Conrail, Amtrak and New Jersey Transit Authority. Today, 16 of these beautiful locomotives remain preserved, but none are operational.

Specifications:
Operating weight: 203 tons
Adhesive weight: 138 tons
Length: 24.232 m (79.5 ft)
12 electric motors (2 per axle)
Continuous power output: 4620 hp
Maximum power output: 8500 hp
Maximum speed: 100 mph (160 km/h) (90 mph/144 km/h with freight train gearing)

The Model
This special Limited Edition model has been crafted for Ernst Paul Lehmann Patentwerk by Aster Hobby, one of the world's foremost makers of metal model trains. Production of each of the two models has been limited to 250 models worldwide. This detailed LGB/Aster replica features:
- factory-installed onboard decoder for MTS and analog operation
- complete cab interior with individual gauges and levers
- opening cab doors and sliding cab windows
- fold-down walkways at loco ends
- prototypical paint and lettering
- two power control switches
- track or catenary power operation
- two protected gearboxes with seven-pole Bühler motors
- eight powered wheels
- twelve power pick-ups
- digital electronic sound:
- drive sounds
- fan
- bell and whistle sounds
- brake sounds
- standing sounds
- conductor announcements (with Multi-Train System)
- volume control
- remote control of sound features (with Multi-Train System)
- voltage stabilization circuit
- lighted cab interiors
- automatic directional lanterns
- 2 multi-purpose sockets
- Length: 730 mm (28.7 in)
- Weight: approx. 8000 grams (17.5 lb)