The Pennsylvania Railroad GG1

The GG1 was designed by the Pennsylvania Railroad 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 P-5a, but as the P-5a 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 EP3a 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 P-5a 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 P-5a 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.

This streamlined locomotive, designed for bidirectional operation was mainly used for passenger trains, but a few were regeared 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 230+ 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.

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.

Surviving GG1s

Locomotive No.	Location	Current Paint	Condition Rank
PRR 4800	RR Museum of PA, Strasburg, PA	Brunswick Green, 5 stripe	8 (of 16)
Historical Notes 4800 is the only GG1 with a riveted body. It was the prototype for the GG1. It was the Bi-Centennial GG1 Engine in 1976 Old "Rivets" wore Conrail "dress blue" (Railroading in the North East Collection).
Outlook: C+ (Some deterioration) 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 dontated 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 it was moved into the expanded car barn. In 2004 it received a new paint job and underwent some cosmetic restoration.
Photos PRR 4800 (On display at the RR Museum of PA)

Locomotive No.	Location	Current Paint	Condition Rank
PRR 4859	Transportation Center, Harrisburg, PA	Brunswick Green, 5 stripe	5 (of 16)
	Historical Notes Pulled the first electric train into Harrisburg 1/15/1938 and latter was designated official electric locomotive of PA
	Outlook: A (Good outlook for preservation) 4859 belongs to the RR Museum of PA and is currently under roof at the Harrisburg, PA Amtrak Station. Amtrak wants it 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.
	Photos 4859

Locomotive No.	Location	Current Paint	Condition Rank
PRR 4876	B&O Museum, Baltimore, MD	Brunswick Green	16 (of 16)
	Historical Notes Crashed in Union Station, Washington, DC in 1953.
	Outlook: C (Some deterioration) It 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.
	Photos PRR 4876 (B&O Museum yard, 1988) (Photo courtesy Richard Duley)

Locomotive No.	Location	Current Paint	Condition Rank
PRR 4877	Lebanon train station, Lebanon, NJ	Tuscan Red, 5 Stripe	12 (of 16)
	Historical Notes Repainted PRR tuscan red w/pin stripes in 1981 by NJT while in service. Retired 10/31/83.
	Outlook: B (Fair outlook for preservation) 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 it to its original Brunswick Green 5 stripe and to make it possible to relocate it 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.
	Photos PRR 4877 PRR 4877 (Photo courtesy Mike Olender) PRR 4877 (Photo courtesy Mike Olender) PRR 4877 (Photo courtesy Mike Olender) PRR 4877 (Photo courtesy Mike Olender)

Locomotive No.	Location	Current Paint	Condition Rank
PRR 4879	URHS of NJ (stored on private property), Ridgefield Park, NJ	NJT Black	14 (of 16)
	Historical Notes Last GG1 to pull a revenue passenger train in New Jersey on 10/28/83. Retired 10/31/83.
	Outlook: B (but Rapidly deteriorating) 4879 is currently stored on a private siding exposed to the weather. 4879 will be relocated to Morristown in April or May 2002. There are plans to restore it 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.
	Photos PRR 4879

Locomotive No.	Location	Current Paint	Condition Rank
PRR 4882	National NYC Railroad Museum, Elkhart, IN	Penn Central Black with PC Logo	4 (of 16)
	Historical Notes 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" (10/29/83). Retired 10/31/83.
	Outlook: A (Good outlook for preservation) In October, 1998, 4882 was painted into its PC livery. The paint job is temporary. Longer range plans are to paint it in its original PRR livery.
	Photos PC 4882

Locomotive No.	Location	Current Paint	Condition Rank
PRR 4890	National Railroad Museum, Green Bay, WI	Tuscan Red, Yellow Stripe	2 (of 16)
	Historical Notes 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: A (Good outlook for preservation) 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 will be displayed next to UP Big Boy 4017 and the General Eisenhower WWII Command Train.
	Photos New Tuscan Red Livery (Photo by Frank Hicks) PRR 4890 PRR 4890

Locomotive No.	Location	Current Paint	Condition Rank
PRR 4903 Amtrak 4906	Age of Steam Museum, Dallas, TX	Brunswick Green, yellow stripe	6 (of 16)
	Historical Notes With PC GG1 4901, pulled the funeral train of Sen. Robert Kennedy from New York to Washington on June 8,1968.
	Outlook: A (Good outlook for preservation)
	Photos PRR 4903

Locomotive No.	Location	Current Paint	Condition Rank
PRR 4909 Amtrak 4932	Cooperstown Junction, NY	Amtrak Black	13 (of 16)
	Historical Notes Regularly led "The Senator" and the "Congressional Limited" in its tuscan red livery.
	Outlook: B (Fair outlook for preservation) 4909 was one of the two GG1s displayed for a long time at the Leatherstocking RY Museum. While at the museum, they appeared to be deteriorating with each photo that was sent to me. As one of the photos show, 4932 was once located at the Steamtown National Historic Site. In July, 2001, I receive email from Joe Szarmach stating that he bought 4909 and was going to cosmetically restore it. I never heard any more information about this. In July, 2003 I heard that 4909 had been acquired by the Henry Ford Museum. In August 2004, I had heard that 4909 was finally moved to the Henry Form Museum. However, I was later told that it was still at Cooperstown Junction, NY. I don't know what it is about 4909 that generates so much false information.
	Photos Amtrak 4932 (Photo courtesy Richard Duley) Head shot of Amtrak 4932 (Photo courtesy Bill Hubert) Head shot of Amtrak 4932 (Photo courtesy Bill Hubert) Amtrak 4932 (Photo courtesy Fred Talasco) 4932 marked with Steamtown information (Photo courtesy Bill Hubert) 4932 Truck (Photo courtesy Bill Hubert)

Locomotive No.	Location	Current Paint	Condition Rank
PRR 4913 Amtrak 4913	Railroader's Memorial Museum, Altoona, PA	Tuscan Red, 5 Stripe	10 (of 16)
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: C (Slowly deteriorating)
Photos PRR 4913 (2007 photo courtesy Michael Moore) PRR 4913 (2007 photo courtesy Michael Moore) PRR 4913 (Photo courtesy Anna Dill) PRR 4913 (Photo courtesy Anna Dill) PRR 4913 (Photo courtesy Anna Dill) PRR 4913

Locomotive No.	Location	Current Paint	Condition Rank
PRR 4917 Amtrak 4934	Leatherstocking RY Museum, Cooperstown Jct, NY	Amtrak Black	15 (of 16)
	Historical Notes One of 75 GG1s built with Westinghouse components, the other 64 GG1s used GE devices and motors.
	Outlook: D (Rapidly deteriorating) 4917 appears to be deteriorating more with each photo that is sent to me. In October of 2007, I was informed that 4917 was being acquired by the GG1 Historic Locomotive Preservation Society of Miami, FL. In the spring of 2008 it is to be moved to its new home in Miami and begin to receive cosmetic restoration work as part of a new TV show. Contact Raymond Meyers for more details.
	Photos Amtrak 4934 (Photo courtesy Richard Duley) Head shot of Amtrak 4934 (Photo courtesy Bill Hubert) Amtrak 4934 (Photo courtesy Fred Talasco)

Locomotive No.	Location	Current Paint	Condition Rank
PRR 4918 Amtrak 4916	Museum of Transportation, St. Louis, MO	Amtrak Black	11 (of 16)
	Historical Notes Weighed 238 tons and cost about $250,000.00 when built in 1942 ($2,723,189.00 in 1998 dollars) Was once stored at the Smithsonian Institute, Washington, DC
	Outlook: C (Slowly deteriorating) 4918 is under roof.
	Photos Amtrak 4916

Locomotive No.	Location	Current Paint	Condition Rank
PRR 4919 Amtrak 4917	VA Museum of Transportation, Roanoke, VA	Brunswick Green, 5 stripe	9 (of 16)
	Historical Notes Built in July 1942 it ran almost 5,500,000 miles before it was retired 2/1/81.
	Outlook: B (Fair outlook for preservation)
	Photos PRR 4919 (Photo courtesy Richard Duley)

Locomotive No.	Location	Current Paint	Condition Rank
PRR 4927 Amtrak 4939	Illinois Railway Museum, Union, IL	Brunswick Green, 5 stripe	3 (of 16)
	Historical Notes Became an anomaly when Amtrak numbered it 4939 in 1976. For 42 years there had not been a GG1 with a number higher than 4938.
	Outlook: A (Good outlook for preservation) 4927 has been stored indoors (Barn No. 9) for the past 5 years. In August of 1999 it received a new Brunswick Green/5 stripe paint job.
	Photos PRR 4927 (Sep. 17, 2000, photo courtesy Mike Farrell) PRR 4927

Locomotive No.	Location	Current Paint	Condition Rank
PRR 4933 Amtrak 4926	Central NY Chapter NRHS, fairgrounds, Syracuse, NY	Tuscan red with 5 pin stripes	7 (of 16)
	Historical Notes One of seven Amtrak GG1s painted platinum mist with a red hood and a blue stripe. Was the last GG1 to go to the Army-Navy game in 1975.
	Outlook: B- (Fair outlook for preservation) In 2008 the chapter vice president said that there are plans to repaint 4933 into the Platinum Mist scheme.
	Photos PRR 4933 (Jack Humphrey Photo) PRR 4933 (Photo courtesy Richard Duley)

Locomotive No.	Location	Current Paint	Condition Rank
PRR 4935 Amtrak 4935	RR Museum of PA	Brunswick Green, 5 stripe	1 (of 16)
	Historical Notes 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: A (Good outlook for preservation) 4935 is in the best shape of all the surviving GG1s . It is indoor in a climate controlled building.
	Photos PRR 4935 PRR 4935

The Last Scrapped GG1s

GG1 Numbering Explained

Locomotive No.	Last Location	Last Paint	Date Scrapped	Photos
PRR 4872	New Jersey Transit	black	unknown	NJT 4872
PRR 4873	Private Owner, Whippany Railroad Museum, Whippany, NJ	black, white Penn Central logo	sold for scrap, 1992	NJT 4873
NJT 4883	Naporano		1980s	NJT 4883 (drawing by Tom Dowling)

PRR	Amtrak	PRR	Amtrak	PRR	Amtrak	PRR	Amtrak
4892	900 -> 4900	4907	908 -> 4908	4917	4934	4927	4939
4897	901 -> 4901	4908	909 -> 4909	4918	916 -> 4916	4928	922 -> 4922
4899	902 -> 4902	4909	4932	4919	917 -> 4917	4929	923 -> 4923
4900	903 -> 4903	4910	910 -> 4910	4920	918 -> 4918	4931	924 -> 4924
4901	904 -> 4904	4911	911 -> 4911	4921	4936	4932	925 -> 4925
4902	905 -> 4905	4912	912 -> 4912	4922	4937	4933	926 -> 4926
4903	906 -> 4906	4913	913 -> 4913	4923	4938	4934	927 -> 4927
4904	4930	4914	914 -> 4914	4924	919 -> 4919	4935	4935
4905	4931	4915	4933	4925	920 -> 4920	4937	928 -> 4928
4906	907 -> 4907	4916	915 -> 4915	4926	921 -> 4921	4938	929 -> 4929

GG1 Deliveries

GG1 Paint Schemes

GG1 Specifications

GG1 Glossary

Will a GG1 ever run again?

Qty.	Road Numbers	Year Built
1	4800	1934
57	4801 - 4857	1935
5	4858 - 4862	1937
9	4863 - 4871	1938
17	4872 - 4888	1939
20	4889 - 4908	1940
2	4909 - 4910	1941
18	4911 - 4928	1942
10	4929 - 4938	1943

1935
All GG1s:	Brunswick green with 5 gold leaf pin stripes and gold leaf sans-serif Futura lettering. Small keystone on sides and noses with locomotive number. NOTE: 4800 originally had stripes that were more widely spaced than all other units, but it was later repainted in standard livery.
1941
All GG1s:	Brunswick green with 5 gold leaf pin stripes and gold Clarendon lettering. Small keystone on sides with PRR monogram. A small keystone on the noses had the PRR monogram on some units and the locomotive number on others.
1952
Ten GG1s:	Tuscan red with 5 "Dulux" (a gold colored synthetic) pin stripes and "Dulux" Clarendon lettering. Small keystone on sides with PRR monogram. A small keystone on noses with the locomotive number. 4908 through 4913 painted in 1952 and 4856, 4857, 4876 & 4929 painted in 1953. Starting in 1952, as GG1s were repainted, "Dulux" was substituted for gold leaf.
1955
Three GG1s:	Silver with one 8" wide red band and 16" Roman lettering. Large keystone with white PRR monogram on sides. A small keystone on noses with locomotive number. 4866, 4872, & 4880 were later repainted Brunswick green with standard livery.
Two GG1s:	Numbers 4907 and 4916 were painted Tuscan red with 8" wide yellow band and 16" Roman lettering. (Photos: George Elwood Collection) Large keystone with white PRR monogram on sides. A small keystone on noses with locomotive number. 4907 and 4916 were later repainted Brunswick green with standard livery.
All GG1s:	Brunswick green with 8" wide yellow band and 16" Roman lettering. Large Keystone with white PRR monogram on sides. A small keystone on noses with locomotive number.

Wheel Arrangement	2-C+C-2 (4-6-6-4)
Operation	Bidirectional
Length	79'-6"
Width	10'-6"
Height	15'-0" (with pantograph locked down)
Drivers	57" dia.
Truck Wheels	36" dia.
Weight (Locomotive #4800)	Per Axle: 50,500 lbs Per End Truck: 86,000 lbs Total: 475,000 lbs
Weight (Locomotive #4801-4857)	Per Axle: 50,000 lbs Per End Truck: 80,000 lbs Total: 460,000 lbs
Weight (Locomotive #4858-4868 & 4889-4938)	Per Axle: 50,500 lbs Per End Truck: 87,000 lbs Total: 477,000 lbs
Weight (Locomotive #4869-4888)	Per Axle: 50,000 lbs Per End Truck: 84,200 lbs Total: 468,400 lbs
Line Voltage	11,000 Volts, 25 Cycles (HZ) AC
Transformer	4800 KVA (weighed 30,300 lbs)
Traction Motors	12 @ 385 HP
Total HP	4620 HP
Drawbar HP	10,000 HP
Drive	geared quill through spring and cup
Control	Tap Changer
Traction Effort	65,500 lbs with 24 : 77 gearing (100 mph) 72,800 lbs with 22 : 79 gearing (90 mph)
Acceleration	0 to 100 mph in 65 seconds with 24 : 77 gearing
Boiler	4500 lbs of steam per hour at 200 psi (weighed 14,200 lbs)
Boiler Water	2,761 gallons (except #4800 had a boiler capacity of 2,245 gallons)
Boiler Oil	424 gallons
Compressor	150 cfm displacement at 100 rpm
Blowers	2 @ 55 HP
Aux. Battery	32 Volts, 300 amp/hours

A GG1 will probably never run again. Steam locomotives can be restored through extraordinary efforts, if needed, to repair or remanufacture mechanical parts. Once a steam locomotive has been restored, all one needs is coal (or oil) and water, to have the ability to run if track is available.

The GG1 survivors have had their transformers removed, many of the traction motors have shorted out and all of the other current carrying parts have deteriorated to the point of uselessness. The one exception may be 4935 in Strasburg, PA which may be capable of actually running if a transformer and a proper catenary were available. The GG1 was a 25 cycle (HZ) machine for which the PRR maintained their own substation to provide the 25 cycle current.

Locomotives today are capable of operating on 25 HZ or 60 HZ and most railroads are using 60 HZ so they can buy power directly from the power companies and avoid the expense of maintaining their own substations.

There is also a possible problem with contamination from PCB's, which to this point no one talks about. The GG1 transformer was cooled with a fluid known generically as Askarel (a non-flammable synthetic liquid dielectric). This liquid contains PCB's, and any evidence of PCB's would be a show stopper.

Many of the GG1s had developed cracks in their frames which means major repair or replacement would be needed. In addition the drivers, the trucks, and the carbody would have to refurbished. After that, all new electrical components and controls would have to be furnished. This could possibly cost around $1.5 to $2.0 million.

I seriously doubt that anyone would spend the money to get a GG1 to run. Some have spent large sums to refurbish steam locomotive but only where there has been available track to allow excursion to provide payback.

With all new electrical equipment and modern controls, this new GG1 could run on the Northeast Corridor or any other electrified railroad but, it would not be an authentic GG1, it would simply be a modern electric locomotive with the carbody of a GG1. Unfortunately changes in technology have finally, after 60 years, forced the retirement of the most durable locomotive of all time.