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Locomotive, caboose to be removed from Harrisburg station
The museum has the original GG-1, “Old Rivets” on display. Though seeing this beside it as a comparison would be a sight.
Sorry to nitpick but a “locomotive” is defined as “a self-propelled engine driven by steam, electricity, or diesel power and used for drawing trains along railway tracks.” As a GG1 does not have a power plant to propel itself it is technically not a locomotive. DPM would be so disappointed.
Maybe Amtrak could add a passenger car to the display.
DANIEL CARLETON from FLORIDA said: Sorry to nitpick but a “locomotive” is defined as "a self-propelled engine OK An Electromotive.
Spencer Shops in NC needs this!
Spencer Shops in NC needs this!
@DANIEL CARLETON - Your definition and your reason do not match. The GG1 is, indeed, a self-propelled engine driven by electricity. Nothing in your definition requires it carries a separate power plant.
Things that push or pull trains that take their power from electric wires or an electrified rail have always, to the best of my knowledge, been called (electric-)locomotives. Here’s a whole Wikipedia page on the subject: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electric_locomotive
Vincent - if I remember right, the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania at Strasburg already has a GG-1.
“Covering by a contractor.” What does that mean? Are they building a temporary roof over the engine and caboose, somewhere near Market Street? As “displayed” now, the engine and caboose are basically not viewable by the public, since it’s forbidden to access the platforms unless you’re a ticketed passenger; and then only for only a few minutes while boarding a train. It used to be great in the 1970s to walk down to the platforms and shoot the breeze with the GG1 passenger crews, and watch E44s howling under the train shed with freight trains.
Mr. Kise has a good point. The two are pretty much hidden under the station in a dark fenced off area. It would be nice if they were truly on display to the public. Side note- The PA museum actually has two GG1’s- Old Rivets #4800 and #4935. Number 4859 did once reside in the museum yard.
Mr. Kise has a good point. The two are pretty much hidden under the station in a dark fenced off area. It would be nice if they were truly on display to the public. Side note- The PA museum actually has two GG1’s- Old Rivets #4800 and #4935. Number 4859 did once reside in the museum yard.
I hope this GG-1 will move to the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania as it’s new home.
Were the GG1’s retired due to age, or a change in electric current on existing lines? With the recent push for returning steam, could one of these motors still run on, say, the NEC? The April TRAINS tells of congestion on that line, so maybe an off-shoot, like maybe once a month, or a couple runs each summer?
When cosmetically restored in 1982, GG1 4800 was painted with the “widely-spaced” PRR pin striping. It has deteriorated over the years, and is now in basic black with no stripes. I would like to see the 4800 repainted in its original “all-over” striping with white driver tires, which would contrast markedly with the 4935’s Craw-Clarendon lettering and “narrowly-spaced” pin striping. If 4859 with its Futura style lettering could also be moved to the museum, then you’d have a fabulous display of 3 different GG1 paint schemes.
@PHILIP V NICHOLS well can’t they have a second one to add to their Pennsylvanian collection?
The GG-1s were removed from service due to age. This is one of the few classes of power that was truly “run until the wheels fall off”. They had a lot of cases of rust, cracked frames, ect. After a 60 year career, they were just really worn out. That`s why they were pulled as I understand it. I remember seeing these things running as a young kid.
The GG-1 locomotives (G’s to railroaders) were transferred to AMTRAK and CONRAIL in the 1976 when they acquired the operations of PENN CENTRAL. During its first couple of years of existence CONRAIL used their “G’s” in freight service while AMTRAK continued to operate them in Northeast corridor passenger service. In 1978 CONRAIL retired its G’s choosing instead to run their diesels “under the wire” and no longer sharing the expense of the catenary system with AMTRAK. In the meantime, AMTRAK was acquiring new electric engines of a Swedish design eventually ending the long career of the PRR GG-1.
Good, moved with security, to a covered facility. Future to be determined. Restoration is a possibility. GG-1 locomotive is a symbol of the Depression, Great private industry the PRR, the greatest and largest railroad in history, and the ability of the American worker to create/build a device that could exceed 100 MPH, over 90 years ago. AMAZING.
Last June I asked the ticket agent if I could walk down to the track platform to take pictures of the GG 1. “No problem, have fun” was the answer. Door to the stairs was open and no fence around the engine. Took great pictures.