GG1 – Last scrapped engines

This is short show about those 3 engines who scrapped last

PRR#4872 / NJT#4872

NJT#4872 in Cranford, NJ on 03/06/1986 with her similar destiny sisters (behind NJT#4884)

Builder: Altoona
Construction number: 4340
Date of construction: Jan. 1939.
Date of retirement: 198?
Date of scrapping: 1990.
Historical notes:
Outlook:
Last paint scheme: NJT-black
Last owner: New Jersey Transit
Last location: unknown


PRR#4873 / NJT#4873

NJT#4873 in Ridgefield park (Whippany), NJ on 01/01/1994 in that short moment, when they almost exhibited her...

Builder: Altoona
Construction number: 4342
Date of construction: Jan. 1939.
Date of retirement: 198?
Date of scrapping: 1992. (sold for scrap)
Historical notes:
Outlook:
Last paint scheme: Black, white Penn Central logo
Last owner: New Jersey Transit
Last location: Whippany Railroad Museum, Whippany, NJ

Links:
http://www.whippanyrailwaymuseum.net/


PRR#4883 / NJT#4883

NJT#4883 in Cranford, NJ on 03/06/1986 the other end of first picture

Builder: Altoona
Construction number: 4352
Date of construction: Feb. 1939.
Date of retirement: 198?
Date of scrapping: 1986.
Historical notes:
Outlook:
Last paint scheme: Dark Green, thick yellow stripe
Last owner: New Jersey Transit
Last location: Naporano, New York, NY


Sources:
http://www.spikesys.com/GG1/
http://www.steamlocomotive.com/GG1/

GG1 - Survivors - non exhibited engines (part 2)

This is a roster of known surviving GG1s and their dispositions.

PRR#4909 / AMTK#4932

AMTK#4932 after her retirement in Elizabethport, NJ on 05/04/1985

AMTK#4932 (PRR#4909) attendant on AMTK#4934 after relocation in Cooperstown Jct, NY on 09/18/2006

Builder: Altoona
Construction number: 4378
Date of construction: Dec. 1941.
Date of retirement:
Historical notes:

• Regularly led "The Senator" and the "Congressional Limited" in its Tuscan-red livery.

Outlook:

• #4909 was one of the two GG1s displayed for a long time at the Leatherstocking RY Museum (Steamtown). In July, 2003 #4909 had been acquired by the Henry Ford Museum. In August 2004, #4909 was finally moved to the Henry Form Museum. However, she is still at Cooperstown Junction, NY. We don't know what it is about #4909 that generates so much false information. The acquisition by the Henry Ford Museum appears to be valid however. There is a news article about it here. We don't know how long that article will be available. Perhaps the rumors about this locomotive will now stop.

Current paint scheme: Amtrak Black
Owner: Henry Ford Museum
Location: Cooperstown Junction, NY (outside)

Links:
http://www.lrhs.com/
http://www.nps.gov/stea/
http://www.hfmgv.org/museum/index.aspx

PRR#4917 / AMTK#4934

AMTK#4934 (PRR#4917) attendant on AMTK#4932 after relocation in Cooperstown Jct, NY on 09/18/2006

Builder: Altoona
Construction number: 4387
Date of construction: June 1942.
Date of retirement:
Historical notes:

• One of 75 GG1s built with Westinghouse components, the other 64 GG1s used GE devices and motors.

Outlook:

• #4917 appears to be deteriorating more with each photo that is sent to me. In October of 2007 #4917 was being acquired by the GG1 Historic Locomotive Preservation Society of Miami, FL. In the spring of 2008 she was to be moved to its new home in Miami and begin to receive cosmetic restoration work as part of a new TV show.

Current paint scheme: Amtrak Black
Owner: Leatherstocking Railway Museum
Location: Moved from Cooperstown Junction, NY (outside)

Links:
http://www.lrhs.com/

Sources:
http://www.spikesys.com/
http://www.steamlocomotive.com/
http://www.hebners.net/

GG1 - Survivors - non exhibited engines (part 1)

This is a roster of known surviving GG1s and their dispositions.

PRR#4876 / NJT#4876

PRR#4876 in Bltimore, MD on 07/27/2008 before dispatch

Builder: Altoona
Construction number: 4345
Date of construction: Jan. 1939.
Date of retirement:
Historical notes:

• She crashed in Union Station, Washington, DC on Jan. 14. 1953.

Outlook:

• She is unfortunate that a GG1, with as much unique history as this one, was stored for so many years (1985 - 2007) in a nearby yard without protection from either vandals or the weather. In 2007 it was moved into the restoration shop compound area with some of the other large locomotives.

Current paint scheme: Brunswick Green
Owner: B&O Museum, Baltimore, MD
Location: On yard in Baltimore, near B&O Museum (outside)

Links:
http://www.borail.org/

PRR#4877 / NJT#4877

PRR#4877 (me) in Hoboken, NJ in a yard near the New Jersey Transit Passenger Station on 01/01/2003

PRR#4877 (me) in Lebanon, NJ on the station under reconstruction on 04/30/2008

Builder: Altoona
Construction number: 4346
Date of construction: Jan. 1939.
Date of retirement: Oct. 31. 1983.
Historical notes:

• Repainted PRR Tuscan-red w/pin stripes in 1981 by NJT while in service.

Outlook:

• For many years this GG1 was stored in a yard near the New Jersey Transit Passenger Station/Hoboken Passenger Station in NJ unprotected from vandals or the weather.
• In July, 2003 #4877 was moved from Hoboken to a small NJ Transit yard in the northern end of Morristown where restoration efforts could begin. There are plans to restore her to her original Brunswick Green 5 stripe and to make it possible to relocate her to various areas around the state of New Jersey for display.
• #4877 is now in Lebanon, NJ right of exit 20 on Route 78. There are a number of other gems there, including a 20th Century limited car in really nice shape.

Current paint scheme: Tuscan-red, 5 Stripes
Owner: United Railroad Historical Society of New Jersey
Location: Lebanon train station, Lebanon, NJ (outside)

Links:
http://www.urhs.org/

PRR#4879 / NJT#4879

NJT#4879 with her sisters after retirement in Raritan, NJ on 12/13/1988

NJT#4879 in Booton, NJ after her dispatch on 08/20/2008

Builder: Altoona
Construction number: 4348
Date of construction: Feb. 1939.
Date of retirement: Oct. 31. 1983.
Historical notes:

• The last GG1 to pull a revenue passenger train in New Jersey on Oct. 28. 1983.

Outlook:

• #4879 is currently stored on a private siding exposed to the weather. #4879 relocated to Morristown in May 2002. There are plans to restore her to the Brunswick Green single stripe/large keystone scheme. After restoration, #4879 is to be permanently displayed in the future NJ Transportation Heritage Center in Phillipsburg, NJ.
• Relocated to Boonton, NJ in July 2008.

Current paint scheme: NJT Black
Owner: United Railroad Historical Society of New Jersey
Location: URHS of NJ (stored on private property), Ridgefield Park, NJ (outside)

Links:
http://www.urhs.org/

Sources:
http://www.spikesys.com/
http://www.steamlocomotive.com/

GG1 - Survivors - exhibited engines (part 4)

This is a roster of known surviving GG1s and their dispositions.

PRR#4927 / AMTK#4939

PRR#4927 / AMTK#4939 under overhauling (wikipedia)

PRR#4927 / AMTK#4939 overhauled in the museum on 08/02/2008

Builder: Altoona
Construction number: 4397
Date of construction: Sept. 1942.
Date of retirement:
Historical notes:

• Became an anomaly when Amtrak numbered her #4939 in 1976. For 42 years there had not been a GG1 with a number higher than 4938.

Outlook:

• #4927 has been stored indoors (Barn No. 9) for the past 5 years. In August of 1999 she received a new Brunswick Green/5 stripes paint job.

Current paint scheme: Brunswick Green, 5 stripes
Owner: Illinois Railway Museum, Union, IL
Location: Illinois Railway Museum, Union, IL (inside)

Links:
http://www.irm.org/

PRR#4933 / AMTK#4926

PRR#4933 / AMTK#4926 in Solvay, NY on 08/27/2007

Builder: Altoona
Construction number: 4428
Date of construction: March 1943.
Date of retirement:
Historical notes:

• One of seven Amtrak GG1s painted platinum mist with a red hood and a blue stripe.
• She was the last GG1 to go to the Army-Navy game in 1975.

Outlook:

• In 2008 the chapter vice president said that there are plans to repaint #4933 into the Platinum Mist scheme.

Current paint scheme: Tuscan red with 5 pin stripes
Owner: Central NY Chapter NRHS
Location: Central NY Chapter NRHS, New York State Fairgrounds, Syracuse, NY (outside)

Links:
http://cnynrhs.org/

PRR#4935 / AMTK#4935

Maybe the most popular image about PRR#4935, from 05/15/2004

PRR#4935 on new place in the hall of museum (07/09/2008)

Builder: Altoona
Construction number: 4434
Date of construction: March 1943.
Date of retirement:
Historical notes:

• She was repainted PRR Brunswick green w/ pin stripes while in service on Amtrak in 1977.
• The repainting of "Blackjack" was paid for by the "Friends of the GG1".
• Arguably the best restored and best displayed GG1.

Outlook:

• #4935 is in the best shape of all the surviving GG1s. She is indoor in a climate controlled building.

Current paint scheme: Brunswick Green, 5 stripes
Owner: Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania, Strasburg PA
Location: Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania, Strasburg PA (inside)

Links:
http://www.rrmuseumpa.org/

Sources:
http://www.spikesys.com/
http://www.steamlocomotive.com/
http://www.hebners.net/

GG1 - Survivors - exhibited engines (part 3)

This is a roster of known surviving GG1s and their dispositions.

PRR#4913 / AMTK#4913

PRR#4913 in Altoona, PA, in the years 1990s (Photo: VG Aylward)

PRR#4913 in the yard of museum on 08/24/2008

Builder: Altoona
Construction number: 4382
Date of construction: Jan. 1942.
Date of retirement:
Historical notes:

• One of six GG1s repainted Tuscan-red in 1952 for use with the stainless steel cars used on "The Senator" and on the "Congressional Limited".

Outlook:
Current paint scheme: Tuscan Red, 5 Stripes
Owner: Railroader’s Memorial Museum, Altoona, PA
Location: Railroader’s Memorial Museum, Altoona, PA (outside)

Links:
http://www.railroadcity.com/

PRR#4918 / AMTK#4916

AMTK#4916 (PRR#4918) had arrived into the museum

AMTK#4916 (PRR#4918) under roof in Kirkwood, MO on 07/23/2007

Builder: Altoona
Construction number: 4388
Date of construction: June 1942.
Date of retirement:
Historical notes:

• Weighed 238 tons and cost about $250,000.00 when built in 1942 ($2,723,189.00 in 1998 dollars)
• She was once stored at the Smithsonian Institute, Washington, DC

Outlook:
Current paint scheme: Amtrak Black
Owner: Museum of Transportation, Saint Louis, MO
Location: Museum of Transportation, Saint Louis, MO (under roof)

Links:
http://transportmuseumassociation.org/

PRR#4919 / AMTK#4917

PRR#4919 in the yard of museum on 07/18/2008

Builder: Altoona
Construction number: 4389
Date of construction: July 1942.
Date of retirement: February 01. 1981.
Historical notes:

• The #4919 was originally numbered #4917 when built in the Juniata Shops of the Altoona Works, in Altoona, Pennsylvania. She was a wartime "baby" delivered in June of 1942 along with five others. A general renumbering of these locomotives in June 1973 gave it No. 4934, and she later was renumbered 4919.
• She ran almost 5,500,000 miles before it was retired.

Outlook:
Current paint scheme: Brunswick Green, 5 stripes
Owner: Virginia Museum of Transportation, Roanoke, VA
Location: Virginia Museum of Transportation, Roanoke, VA (outside)

Links:
http://www.vmt.org/

Sources:

http://www.spikesys.com/
http://www.steamlocomotive.com/
http://www.hebners.net/

GG1 - Survivors - exhibited engines (part 2)

This is a roster of known surviving GG1s and their dispositions.

PRR#4882

PC#4882 in museum of Elkhart, IN on 08/01/2004 (c) Scott Koehler

A fictional hard race in the yard of museum on 09/16/2007

Builder: Altoona
Construction number: 4351
Date of construction: Feb. 1939.
Date of retirement: Oct. 31. 1983.
Historical notes:

• The last operating GG1. Took the last gasp in October, 1983 when it pulled two other NJT GG1s (#4877 and #4879) into the yard after "Farewell to the GG1s Day" (Oct. 28. 1983).

Outlook:

• In October, 1998, #4882 was painted into her PC livery. The paint job is temporary. Longer range plans are to paint it in its original PRR livery.

Current paint scheme: Penn Central Black with PC Logo
Owner: National New York Central Museum, Elkhart, IN
Location: National NYC Railroad Museum, Elkhart, IN (outside)

Links:
http://www.nycrrmuseum.org/

PRR#4890

PRR#4890 in the yard of B&O Museum in october of 1992 (Baltimore, MD)

PRR#4890 in hall of National Railroad Museum, Green Bay, WI on 08/19/2008

Builder: Altoona
Construction number: 4359
Date of construction: March 1940.
Date of retirement:
Historical notes:

• She was displayed at B&O Museum until 1995.
• One of about 35 GG1s that were modified with large air intakes in the hood, which spoiled the aesthetics of this Loewy masterpiece.

Outlook:

• #4890 received a new paint job in 2000. It is scheduled to be part of the new indoor display hall: Lenfestey Center, a 26,000 square foot climate controlled facility. It is displayed next to UP Big Boy X4017 and the General Eisenhower WWII Command Train.

Current paint scheme: Tuscan-red, 5 Yellow Stripes
Owner: National Railroad Museum, Green Bay, WI
Location: National Railroad Museum, Green Bay, WI (inside)

Links:
http://www.nationalrrmuseum.org/

PRR#4903 / AMTK#4906

PRR#4903 in the yard of museum on 05/31/2003

Builder: Altoona
Construction number: 4372
Date of construction: May 1940.
Date of retirement:
Historical notes:

• With GG1 PC#4901, pulled the funeral train of Sen. Robert Kennedy from New York to Washington on June 8. 1968.

Outlook:

• She was acquired in a trade (for a NYC Mohawk) with National NYC Museum of Elkhart, Indiana, arriving April 29th, 1984.

Current paint scheme: Brunswick Green, yellow stripe
Owner: Museum of the American Railroad, Dallas, TX
Location: Museum of the American Railroad, Dallas, TX (outside)

Links:
http://www.dallasrailwaymuseum.com/

Sources:
http://www.spikesys.com/
http://www.steamlocomotive.com/
http://www.hebners.net/

GG1 - Survivors - exhibited engines (part 1)

This is a roster of known surviving GG1s and their dispositions.

PRR#4800

PRR#4800 in Museum of Strasburg, PA on 01/01/1999

PRR#4800 in Museum of Strasburg, PA on 11/21/2007

Builder: General Electric, Baldwin
Construction number: 11646
Date of construction: Aug. 1934.
Date of retirement: 1979.??
Historical notes:

• #4800 is the only GG1 with a riveted body.
• She was the prototype for the GG1.
• She was the Bi-Centennial GG1 Engine in 1976.
• Old "Rivets" wore Conrail "dress blue" (Railroading in the North East Collection).

Outlook:

• #4800 was owned by the Lancaster Chapter of the NRHS and at one time was on loan to the RR Museum of PA. The chapter donated it to the RR Museum of PA in 2000. For a couple years, #4800 was out in the weather and was showing signs of deterioration. In 2002 she was moved into the expanded car barn. In 2004 she received a new paint job and underwent some cosmetic restoration.

Current paint scheme: Brunswick Green, 5 stripes
Owner: Lancaster Chapter NRHS
Location: RR Museum of PA, Strasburg, PA (outside)

Links:
http://www.rrmuseumpa.org/
http://www.northeast.railfan.net/
http://www.nrhs.com/chapters/lancaster.htm
http://www.northeast.railfan.net/

PRR#4859

Arriving home of PRR#4859 in 1986

PRR#4859 on AMTRAK-Station of Harrisburg, PA on 07/31/2006

Builder: Altoona
Construction number: 4326
Date of construction: Dec. 1937.
Date of retirement: Dec.? 1979.
Historical notes:

• She pulled the first electric train into Harrisburg Jan. 15. 1938. and latter was designated official electric locomotive of PA.

Outlook:

• #4859 belongs to the RR Museum of PA and is currently under roof at the Harrisburg, PA Amtrak Station. Amtrak wants her out of their station soon. There is talk about a temporary display at Union Station in Washington, DC. One day #4859 will have to return to the museum in Strasburg, PA and when it does there will be limited space and one of the three GG1s may have to go.

Current paint scheme: Brunswick Green, 5 stripes
Owner: Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania, Strasburg PA
Location: Transportation Center, Harrisburg, PA (under roof)

Links:
http://tcrpc-pa.org/SRTP/SRTP_Chapter_02/harrisburg_transportation_center.htm

Sources:
http://www.spikesys.com/

http://www.steamlocomotive.com/

References

Career of a Champion: The Story of 'Old Rivets' 4800
Frederic Abendschein and Dan Cupper ©1984
Lancaster Chapter of the NRHS
342 W. Fritz Avenue
Quarryville, PA 17566
Notes: 3 Color and 75 Black/ White Pictures; 56 Pages; Paperback

Electric Traction of the Pennsylvania Railroad 1895 – 1968
Michael Bezilla
(The Pennsylvania State University)

Pennsy Electric Years
William D. Volkmer
(Morning Sun Books)

Pennsy Power
Alvin F. Staufer
The Standard Printing & Publishing Co.; Carrollton, OH; ©1962

Pennsy Power II.
Alvin F. Staufer and Bert Pennypacker Stauffer
Litho Plate Co.; 218 E. Washington St.; Medina, OH; ©1968

Pennsy Power, Steam and Electric Locomotives of the Pennsylvania Railroad 1900-1957
Alvin F. Staufer
(The Standard Printing & Publishing Co.)

The Great Book of Trains
Hollingsworth, Brian and Arthur F. Cook
Portland House, New York, NY. (1987)

The Pennsylvania Railroad Under Wire
Middleton, William D.
Kalmbach Publishing, Waukesha WI. (2002)

The Remarkable GG1
Karl R. Zimmermann
(Quadrant Press Review)

Under Pennsy Wires
Paul Carleton
(D. Carleton Railbooks)

Vintage Rails
Pentrex, Inc.
Fall 1995

When the Steam Railroads Electrified
William D. Middleton
(IKalmback Books)

Sources:

http://www.spikesys.com/GG1/

http://www.steamlocomotive.com/

Introduction

What's so special about the GG1?
Longevity and that legendary dependability …

The first GG1 went into service in 1935 and the last was taken out of service in 1983. The GG1 outlasted the railroad that built it and its successor road. This may be in part due to the fact that the GG1 was not handed a spot in the Pennsylvania Railroad (PRR) inventory, it earned it. It was inspired by the nearby New Haven boxcab electric EP-3a that served that road so well. PRR was in the market for a new electric but the R1 was offered in addition to the GG1. The R1 and GG1 inherited their general styling from the smaller modified P5a. The GG1 received the special attention of industrial designer Raymond Loewy, who, with minor changes in the sheet metal and major changes with the livery, made the GG1 the visual classic it is. Despite the other omnipresent items designed by Loewy, he stated he was always especially fond of the job he did on the GG1. The R1 had a smaller single frame 2-D-2 wheel arrangement, compared to the GG1's multiframed 2-C+C-2. The PRR put both locos through their paces and the GG1 came out on top with slightly better tracking characteristics.

The GG1 was designed by the PRR based on the need for a locomotive that could pull more than 12 to 14 passenger cars. The railroad thought it had designed the perfect electric passenger locomotive, the P5a, but as the P5a locomotives arrived, it became necessary to double head them on many trains in order to protect schedules. Two other factors were involved in the development of the GG1. The chassis and wheel arrangement were a result of experiments with a leased New Haven EP-3a and the streamlined body and center crew cab were an outcome of concern for crew safety. A tragic grade crossing accident in which a box cab P5a hit a truck killing the engineer, reinforced the need for better protection for the crew. After the accident, a hold was put on further manufacture of the box cab P5a and the locomotive was redesigned to include a center crew cab. The GG1 was given a sculptured carbody with contoured hoods that were tapered to provide visibility for the enginemen. As a result, a very aesthetically pleasing design evolved. Raymond Loewy, the renowned industrial designer, reviewed the prototype and recommended welding the shell rather than using rivets. He then suggested adding the famous pin stripes, making the design an award winner.

The railroad built 139 units (#4800 through #4938) between the years 1934 and 1943. Many of them were built at the Juniata Locomotive Shop in Altoona, PA.

#4800 (originally #4899) was the prototype for the line and was the only one to have a riveted body. At the behest of Loewy, all later ones were welded. Another asset of the GG1 was strength. A GG1 frame looks more like a bridge than a locomotive. The #4876 lost its brakes and pulled the Federal Express right into Washington Terminal, crashed into the concourse and fell into the basement. It was cut up into small sections so it could be removed from the basement, shipped back to Altoona for reassembly. It was returned to service and still survives today!

This streamlined locomotive, designed for bidirectional operation was mainly used for passenger trains, but a few were re-geared for freight service. Lasting from 1934 to well into the 1980s it would hard to find any other American locomotive design that operated for a longer period of time. The 79.5 foot long 218+ ton GG1 was built on an articulated frame which permitted its 2-C+C-2 wheel arrangement to negotiate tight curves even in congested areas. Power was picked up from an overhead 11,000 Volt AC catenary wire by a pantograph and the voltage stepped-down through an on board transformer to feed the 12 single phase 25 cycle traction motors. Each of these motors developed 385 HP giving the GG1 a total of 4620 HP in continuous operation and allowed speeds up to 100 mph. The body of the locomotive also housed large blowers for motor and transformer cooling, a steam boiler for passenger car heat, electric controllers and sanding boxes. Starting sometime after 1955, many units were equipped with large ungainly air intakes.

The GG1s served the Penn Central (PC) after the merger and routinely ventured onto New Haven track. After PC's brief life, most GG1s went to Conrail (CR) where they served until 1979. 40 units were transferred to Amtrak (AMTK), and 13 to New Jersey Transit (NJT) where they served until 1981 and 1983 respectively. Despite their sturdy construction, the millions of miles racked up by these units eventually caused frame cracks too extensive to justify repair, given that parts were getting hard to find. The last nail in the coffin was to be the expected catenary frequency change from 25 to 60 Hz. The later rectifier locomotives could use either, but not the all-AC GG1.

Of the 139 units built, only 16 survive today. Some have been restored superficially and can be visited as shown below. It is not likely that any of these survivors will ever run again because of the prohibitive cost to rebuild or replace the electrical components.

Of the 16 units still in existance, 3 are under cover and 8 have been restored to Pennsy-paint. at least 4 of the units are rapidly deteriorating for lack of upkeep, especially #4876. Most, if not all, GG1’s transformers were drained of the PCB laden coolant oil when they left service. Some may have been refilled with sand or concrete, others removed. Which units may be operable is a mystery.

In as far as the 25Hz power system, despite many reports, the intended frequency change planned in the 1980's never occurred and the GG1's homeland remains 25Hz to this day. It is also reported that there is a 25Hz system somewhere in the gulf coast area.

More information is sought on which units have retained their transformers and what the condition of the transformers is. Also, more detailed information is sought on the status of units #4876, #4877, #4879, #4882, #4917 and #4933.

Sources:

http://www.spikesys.com/GG1/

http://www.steamlocomotive.com/