Very Simple GG-1 Vision Line Question

On the bottom mid chassis, left side. 

Bruce

Thank you. I guess I'll dig it back out. I appreciate the help. 

My pleasure.  Have you been impressed with the GG1?  The sound in mine is absolutely astounding when compared to an MTH with PS3 and another I recently upgraded with ERR.  Running characteristics are all about equal but the level of detail and attention to audio quality in the VL GG1 are superior. 

Bruce

Great news, I forgot, we must register these VISIONLINE ENGINES for the two year  Warranty... I totally agree with the Sounds, Sparking Pans, and the Smoothe running and the smoke....The hatches on top are cool.  Mine is the Tucson color with 5 Stripes...Happy Railroading....

I ran it for about an hour and a half before I put it away for a little while why I figure out a layout. It is a pretty cool engine. 

I hear all the discussions on the sparking pantographs not worth the $$$. I find it's not just the pantographs. It's the sounds, the control, and the small feature that add to it. 

Its not everyone's cup of tea but I always wanted a GG1 with Legacy and it fits the bill perfectly. 

As I mentioned elsewhere, I did not intend to buy one of these but when I saw the "old rivets" version in-person, with all the rivet detail, I splurged.  Has anyone ever offered the riveted version before?  It is really special in appearance.  

MartyE is right, in that the "sparking" pantograph feature is linked to a nice sound effect too.  But the entire feature, to me, is quite gimmicky.  Imagine if they put a 3D object that was shaped and looked much like a steam plume in the stack and it popped out of the stack to each chuff ... well, that is sort of how the LED "spark" feels to me.  

I don't own the MTH version, so I can't compare sound between the two.  But the sound on the Vision, from the quality, to the Doppler effect is stunning and sounds incredibly realistic.  In fairness, the MTH is a more engineered and functional model.  It has pans that actually function prototypically and can draw power from a cat system.  And the Premier version is like a lot less expensive. But it doesn't come in a nice shiny black box...  

Similarly, this wasn't a planned purchase, and not one I'll be repeating anytime soon.  I was about to purchase some used equipment just before Christmas, a little south of a 4 figure price, when I gave my head a shake.  I could never justify the VL price, but then logic rarely infiltrates my 3 rail dreams.  The honest truth is, it was a total impulse buy.  Fortunately, one of the happy ones.

After years of critiques about the lackluster sounds connected with electric motors, Lionel really stepped up here.  Everything from the moans and groans of movement, to the directional sound specifically emanating from the end of the loco where the action is taking place.  The twang of arcing is particularly sweet to these ears.

I believe a number of players have produced Old Rivets, those that come to mind were made of brass.  None, I'm certain, even come close to sounding this good. 

I have picked out a few missing details on the VL body, like no door handles on either nose.  The entire pantograph assembly is so beefed up for durability's sake that they look toy like.  Mine has single blade pickups that look more like they belong on a Faively setup, rather than anything found on a GG1.  The whole lead/ trailing truck and pilot beam articulation (?) is ingenious, yet they still can't figure a way to add the pilot step grab irons.  Color, well, like every other rendition of DGLE I've seen, looks khaki in comparison to well lit color photography of freshly painted DGLE Pennsy equipment from the era.  A Tuscan match is no better, but the same could be said in the real world.  Often Tuscan in old photos looks like dark red, and others, brown primer.

It has been a wonderful experience, finally owning a VL engine I desire.  When the latest catalog showed a ghost illustration S2, I just about had a heart attack.  Luckily, it was only a picture and not what Lionel had planned for a future VL engine.  Good thing, as I'm getting tired of the Kraft Dinner and Ketchup diet.

Bruce