OK Lionel - Where is the PRR Legacy GG1

It will certainly be nice when they come out as it will flush out many of the previous JLC models and at reasonable prices. A few weeks ago a Silver PRR JLC model hit the 'bay for $350 and sold pretty quickly. There's still someone with one posted as "rare" for $895....

and the week before a 5 stripe green for 400.00! Buy it now.

I think I have seen too many of these cross my work bench that I just got burned out on them.

I have the the 5 stripe green and maroon, and I think I am good.

What will Legacy give us?

I still cannot figure out the legacy crane and boom car re-release....

What will be new?

I recall a thread several months back now, and I think the overall conclusion was that a  Legacy GG1 would provide no added detail -- just a possible step-up in Railsounds effects... but something like going from a 9.5 with the JLC models to a 10 with the Legacy models.  In short, it begs the question, would it be worth the price premium that a Legacy model would "command"?  But hey, it's always nice to see what the latest-and-greatest will offer.

The JLC GG-1's had an $899 MSRP, correct?  You just know the Legacy version is gonna exceed $1,200 MSRP... perhaps $1,500.    So even street-prices are gonna have those folks springing for a new Legacy version digging deep.  So start saving those pennies now.  Maybe a 2016 Volume 1 catalog entry???    If so, it would be nice to see a whole series of them, all BTO of course.

David

I think I'll stick with my JLC version as it has RS5 and pretty good sound.  I'm not sure what the Legacy version would bring to the table.

I'll be staying with my Brunswick green JLC Cats Whiskers GG1 because it is a superb looking and running engine and I really don't know what Lionel could do to improve on it.  Whatever they do, as others have already pointed out, it is doubtful it would be worth the expenditure.

The only obvious upgrade that seems to come to mind would be if they modified the design of the motorized pantographs so that they don't break if you manually try to move them. 

That's the only complaint I seem to recall ever seeing on these.

Is that update worth buying an additional copy for probably $500 over the cost of the original?  Not for me.  I'll live with being careful with the pantographs.

I could also see people looking for a PC roadname maybe springing for a legacy one  only because the secondary market for them remains quite high(only if the Legacy one comes in at a price point less than a TMCC one normally sells for).

-Dave

Dave. 

I want ant one too. 

Gentlemen,

   If Lionel is smart they will produce the Legacy GG1 at the same price they did the Legacy Northern Pacific ($499.99), they would sell so many of them, so fast that the makers over seas would not be able to keep up the production pace.  Take a little lesson from Lee Iacocca, when he invented the Ford Mustang, medium profit margin to sell millions of the individual product.  Lionel would become so rich again that the Fed Tax boys would be banging on their door, demanding their cut, in advance.  Even better have it made in the USA for $525.00, Lionel American made Legacy GG1, for $525.00, a Lionel Christmas promotional, with 800 series Tin Plate Work Cars, or Passenger Cars for an additional cost of course.  Let me send you my money order right now for all of it!

PCRR/Dave 

I sort of don't see us getting a die cast (presuming that is desired) scale GG-1 in Legacy for $500, especially if it's of JLC level of detail.

Then again, re-reading your original post, I see you didn't really ask for the Scale JLC level of treatment(others and myself hopefully understandably assumed it though), just a Legacy GG-1 with operating pantographs.

I don't think Lionel ever did operating pantographs for the traditional GG-1.  If they did, and a 2332 style with Legacy and operating pantographs was sufficient to fit what you are asking for, then maybe that could come close to the $500-$600 range.  (but I won't hold my breath as some traditional small steam engines seem to hit that price point regularly now)

-Dave

I can't imagine them releasing a traditional sized Legacy GG1 with operating pantographs.  I suspect that any Legacy version would be a scale engine and cost considerably more than $500, especially with operating pantographs.

Guns & Dave,

   I agree, however business profit wise if they played it correctly a Die Cast Conventional, not scale size Legacy GG1, would sell like hot cakes, and would be a big money maker for them.  Unfortunately today way to many hands in the pie now, for this to actually happen.

Later maybe Lionel brings out a scale size legacy GG1 for the rivet counters.  Course you bang them with a lot bigger cost.  Lionel needs to put some MIT nut case like me to work as an RD Engineer, to really start making some serious big money once again.  These kids today do not want their fathers stuff, actually driving the train from the engine view, controlled by something like a Legacy Cab2 or a phone, drive on into the Computer Controlled train future.  Operating rolling stock like the Legacy Crane Car, with over all yard operating remote control, with a computer controlled visual option.

Not your fathers Lionel Train any more.

PCRR/Dave

Dave, you may be assuming facts not in evidence.  What makes you think they could sell a traditional sized one better than a scale one?  Is there some example we can see that has traditional sized Legacy products selling well?  Lionel has almost totally abandoned the Legacy LionMaster line, the current Challenger is the first in a long time.

Guns,

   Cost Cost Cost, drives the market, a Quality traditional size with all the Computer goodies 1st, then later as I indicated the scale stuff for a bigger price.  You must get the middle class families back into this hobby with Computerized remote control trains, if this hobby is going to expand again.  Lionel must start catering to both guys like us,  and to the young computerized generation, an apple wrist watch that will control your Lionel Trains, Oh ya.

PCRR/Dave

Interesting discussion. I have fourteen scale GG-1 locomotives including all of the JLC series. I am in the process of preparing an article for OGR about the various scale GG-1 locos that have been produced with all the varying levels of detail, sound, so forth.

As good as the JLC GG-1 locos are with regard to detail and decoration, they do have issues. The most prominent issue is the difficulty, or impossibility, of using catenary because of the inflexible pantograph structure. Additionally, the JLC series can be a bit skittish on O-72 track poorly laid, i. e. any kinks or curves that are not smooth. They will often derail on O-72 switches if run through too quickly. Another issue was the tuscan color Lionel chose. I do not think it was a correct color.

As far as sound, GG-1 locos have a typical electric motor sound that is not likely to be improved through Legacy. Perhaps pantograph raising or lowering or "Stationsounds" like the MTH station announcements with cool echo effect could be added. The occasional puff from the steam generator would not likely change much. Legacy would add a bit of slower starting and smooth take off.

I would never sell any of my JLC models simply to get a Legacy upgrade. If you want to have a more highly detailed GG-1, look at the Third Rail models. Amazing. As far as a conventional GG-1 with Legacy, I would have no interest. That would be a black hole for Lionel. There are thousands of conventional GG-1's to contend with. Lionel would have to attract someone with Legacy alone. I do not see that happening for less than $700. As far as a new scale Legacy GG-1, yeow. Hold onto your wallet !! $1300 - $1400 ???

Dave, I run live catenary and run MTH G motors.  This summer LCCA is going to hold an event at my home and I need a Lionel G to run under wire.  Although nobody wants to tell me to run Lionel that day, I have respect for the group and will run Lionel for them.