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Arriving for the 1977 product line, TYCO introduced a 'shorty' version
of the famous GG-1 Electric. A similar, though not the same shorter-than-prototype GG-1 was part of the Penn Line in
the '60s, later the same tooling was employed by Varney and for a very brief time by Life-Like around 1970.
This unit was available in a number of different Pennsy paints, as
well as an Amtrak Phase II scheme, and the most rare New Haven McGinnis paint scheme. The Pennsy and Amtrak versions hung
around throughout most of the TYCO GG-1's production life, while the very attractive New Haven model only found a home in
the 1981 and 1982 catalogs and is highly desired among collectors.
Collectors should also note the the differences
in the Pennsy offerings. Pennsy had 'Brunswick Green,' which basically appeared to be a black color and 'Tuscan Red,' which
was a dark brown. TYCO refers to the 'Brunswick Green' models as 'Black' and the 'Tuscan Red' as simply 'Red.' And sometimes
does not refer to the color at all! The silver Pennsy is easy to spot, but take care in looking at the 'Black' and 'Red' offerings
to be certain of which you have. Sadly, TYCO does not help collectors with separate numbers, both are 4173; while the silver
model is 4866.
Considering this was new tool-and-die work, TYCO certainly didn't seem
to get as much mileage out of this unit as they might have. Only one train set, The Broadway Limited, featured the GG-1 and
very few roadnames graced this model. Consider that beyond the various Pennsy models, only Amtrak and New Haven were offered.
Imagine a chrome Silver Streak GG-1 or a Santa Fe warbonnet!
The GG-1 makes is last run in the 1986 catalog.
Amtrak
(No.251-07)
(1977-1982)
Notice the Amtrak GG-1 above does not have "Amtrak"
stamped on it, nor does it have a roadnumber. Actual production models have a similar paint scheme, but include Amtrak
and the number 905 in black. This GG-1 without lettering served for a number of years in TYCO catalogs.
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New Haven
(No.251-28)
(1981 and 1982)
Pennsylvania
(No.251-01)
(1977 and 1978)
Pennsylvania Red
(No.251-01)
(1980-1986)
Though originally listed without the "Red" designation,
the #251-01 is the same either way its labeled. This "Red" is actually Pennsy's "Tuscan Red" which is a very dark brown color.
Pennsylvania Silver
(No.251-01B)
(1978 and 1979)
Pennsylvania Black
(No.251-01C)
(1979-1981)
Another Short GG-1
The tooling on this shorty GG-1 originates with the defunct Penn Line
company. It was in their product line in the early/mid '60s. Gordon Varney acquired items from Penn Line around
1966. Varney sells his line of trains to Life-Like in the late '60s. This Life-Like ad is from 1970. Neither
the TYCO, nor the this Penn Line/Varney/Life-Like model exist as available items today.
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