Bicentennial GG-1 is out...

[davefoxx]

I haven't decided if the rivets and contours are a hill to die on, especially if Kato does the blue.  I have some much more foobified equipment than a smooth-sided 4800.  It is useful, though, to understand what makes a foob a foob.

I would agree that the lack of rivets wouldn't bother me.  Kato admitted that it's a foob.  But, good for them, because the bicentennial scheme and the blue CR scheme on a riveted No. 4800 RTR model are not likely going to happen in N scale by mass production.

Besides, I wouldn't be so concerned about the lack of rivets and a few differences in the carbody.  That's not nearly so glaringly obvious as would be the lack of catenary over a running GG1, as will likely occur on most layouts.   

DFF

[Bsklarski]

I plan on getting one. Just that before its picked up at the distributor, we are going to look at the paint and decals to see if they are messed up, like the photo shows. If so, it will go back to Kato to be fixed. No, I can live with the idea its not %100 accurate. I figure trying to make one accurate myself would cost much, much more than simply buying the Kato model.

[bbussey]

I haven't decided if the rivets and contours are a hill to die on, especially if Kato does the blue.  I have some much more foobified equipment than a smooth-sided 4800.  It is useful, though, to understand what makes a foob a foob.

Technically it is out of my era (and yours) since the flagship electric was painted CR blue in 1978.  But I ordered one to have it, because it's the first Kato-Conrail unit and it looks cool.  However, kitbashing a true 4800 from the Kato GG1 shell is appearing less and less difficult the more I look at it.  It might be a project worth pursuing, as eventually Kato will get around to releasing some of the CR schemes.

[bc6]

Ever since I saw the Bicentennial GG1 Ive gone crazy with anticipation. Well after I saw the photo of the GG1 in Conrail Blue in this thread Ive totally forgotten about the Bicentennial GG1 go figure lol.

[sizemore]

Technically it is out of my era (and yours) since the flagship electric was painted CR blue in 1978.  But I ordered one to have it, because it's the first Kato-Conrail unit and it looks cool.  However, kitbashing a true 4800 from the Kato GG1 shell is appearing less and less difficult the more I look at it.  It might be a project worth pursuing, as eventually Kato will get around to releasing some of the CR schemes.

Honestly I think you could use Archer Rivets to get a reasonable facsimile, but knowing you Bryan we'll see an etched fold up fret and a FUD shell

The S.

[bbussey]

Ha!  Actually, I don't think it would be necessary to go to that extreme.  I think resin castings of a modified Kato shell are doable.  And the modified master would not take excessive measures to create.  The hardest part prior to recent years would have been the rivets, and that's covered by Archer.  All the other features are created by standard styrene/filing methods.  The intakes might have to be filled and redone with etchings, but maybe not. 

Another plus - the GG1 bodyshell and marker light casings are readily available from Kato.

[w neal]

I seriously hope Kato (and we all know they will) does Conrail blue units.

Hey, I can use a pair of them to pull my older stack train! 

(WHACK!! - Bad Dog!!! BAAAAADD DOG!!!! - WHACK WHACK!!) 

[bbussey]

I'd settle for a couple of black units.  Some of the patch-outs would be nice as well.

[bc6]

I seriously hope Kato (and we all know they will) does Conrail blue units.

Hey, I can use a pair of them to pull my older stack train! 

(WHACK!! - Bad Dog!!! BAAAAADD DOG!!!! - WHACK WHACK!!) 

Id buy one in a heartbeat.

[davefoxx]

If this helps, I just happened to open the Trackside Around Harrisburg: 1968-1988 book I bought from the CRHS Shoppe at the Rail-B-Q last weekend, and there's a picture of GG1 #4800 in very fresh CR blue paint.  The picture is dated August 23, 1977.

[SkipGear]

I seriously hope Kato (and we all know they will) does Conrail blue units.

Hey, I can use a pair of them to pull my older stack train! 

(WHACK!! - Bad Dog!!! BAAAAADD DOG!!!! - WHACK WHACK!!) 

Conrail Blue or Black are probably the easiest schemes to paint yourself. That is a one evening job at best.

[bbussey]

Got my bicentennial unit a couple of days ago.  The registration is off slightly on the left side rear 76 shield, but I can live with it.  It looks good on the track, and the busy artwork helps hide the fact that Old Rivets is not underneath the paint.

[pennsyfan1361]

Bryan do you know if the whole run of bicentennial GG1 is the registration off? Some worst then others? And from what you said it's only the left side? I was going to order one from MBK but was worried about the registration issue. I was thinking about asking MBK if they could check the registration before sending me one.  Rich 

[rogergperkins]

  Okay, now lets hear [see] some replies from those who purchased one.  Mine came yesterday.
Fulfills my interest in having a GG-1 in n-scale for many years.

Rivet counters, please listen quietly. 

[bbussey]

Bryan do you know if the whole run of bicentennial GG1 is the registration off? Some worst then others? And from what you said it's only the left side? I was going to order one from MBK but was worried about the registration issue. I was thinking about asking MBK if they could check the registration before sending me one.  Rich

I don't know.  Mine is just the one panel of the four.  Some will be unhappy with the off-registration, but I can live with it.