PRR GG1 #4935 leaves the Pennsylvania Railroad Museum in Strasburg, PA. The engine will be heading to the 100th Anniversary celebration of Washington's Union Station.
im a member of a model rail club and one of the older members tells me about how his father would sneak him aboard a gg1 that his father was the engineer of it and i think thats fucking amazing
Around 1980, I was lucky enough to ride behind one, in similar vintage passenger cars, in a trip from Elizabeth, N.J. I to NYC. The sides of the engine was all blackened out with NJDOT hand painted with a small brush on the side.
Just gorgeous. Nothing looks like a GG-1. Wish they still made engines with flowing lines like the E, F and G series. Not these boxy, utilitarian engines we have today.
How rude of people to walk in front of the camera. Kind of want to smack them in the head, lol. I got to board 4935 when it was in Penn Station and the engineer let me toot the horn. One of my greatest railfan moments.
Took an overnight train from Boston to DC in 1968 when I was nine years old. After NYC at one stop my mom walked me to the engine and told the engineer the GG1 was my favorite. He brought me in the cab and let me blow the whistle. The cab was tiny and the whistle was shrill! It was a thrill for me. MLK was shot while we were in DC and there was rioting near the train station, so we had to fly home.
I rode behind 4935 in 1979 on an excursion from Washington DC to Leaman Place (via Harrisburg), where the steam train picked us up and took us to Strasburg.
It went from Strasburg to Philly on the overnight Tuesday into Wednesday morning. Sat at 30th Street all day Wednesday, then moved to DC Wednesday night. Amtrak had a couple of their engines with a series of gondolas that was used for the move. The GG1 has no working brakes so there was a 30MPH speed restriction.
The one I have is "The Second Diesel Spotters Guide", (1973). Maybe a local hobby shop , railroad book ad in 'trains' magazine, or even e-bay. Possible a train show if one happens near you. It covers most all diesel loco's by EMD, GE, ALCO, F-M, BALDWIN, and more. It tells when built, h-p, how many built, variations between models, and more.
This is the Amtrak Keystone Corridor between Harrisburg and Philadelphia. The switcher (I am told) was recently purchased by The Strasburg Railroad in the future plans of moving some freight along their line.
The GG1 also developed frame cracks, and as far as seeing one run, what track would it run on? The Northeast Corridor where it would have to share the rails with the Acela? You'll never see one run again.
nice video! that GG1 looks glorious just how it did back in the GG1 days on the NEC and harrisburg lines wish these engines still ran the NEC and harrisburg line
+Adam Chancellor Whilst I agree on the electrical system, I disagree on the horn for sure. They may be old single-chime horns, but holy hell they're louder than what we have nowadays. Really give ya a punch in the gut if you're not ready.
Unfortunately, the trucks and frames of the GG1 locomotives are cracking, so they'd have to be rebuilt entirely in order to become functional again. They were magnificient machines of the last century. We've moved on. Today's locomotives are more powerful and have traction control, as well as steering trucks and other advances. And as they can use multiple locomotives controlled by one engineer for long trains when needed, there's no need to use a more powerful loco than necessary with shorter trains. And I really liked the old GG1 horn too. It takes me back to when I was a kid, watching those great locomotives.
@Apex Gemini Look Buddy, if they can make a rotting B-29 ( "Doc" ) airworthy again or a rusting old coal burner ( UP#4014 ) operational again, they can get a GG1 up and running again.
@Bill the Welding Sloth Exactly... If only the little bug-eyed man sending penis rockets into space was into trains? And like you said, with updated electrical systems it could be done, just as 4014 has updated systems, but mechanically is still a Big Boy...
The big problem is that they have 70 year old innards. Many of the electrical components are no longer made. TRAINS magazine for June 09 has a special issue on the GG1, and it explains why none will ever run again. Shame.
I would imagine so as these engines saw extreme temperature changes constantly running in the North East corridor. The metal would expand and contract as weather changed. Not to mention the vibration as the trains ran.
75 actually. That TRAINS Magazine on the GG1 that I'm referring to is in honor of the GG1's 75th Anniversary. Hey, here comes the champagne and confetti!
It returned a few days later once the anniversary party was over. You think the rent a cops working down there would have been able to handle the photographic push if they kept all that classic power in house?
Poor GG1s, I would like to see one run again. That will probably never happen. If I ever win the lottery, 5 million is going into a GG1. I probably won't see one here on the west coast though.
+Streamlined Steamroller Can't remember what it is, but in order to run, they used some kind of chemical which is not allowed today. One would have to have modern electrical systems in order to run.
Steven Michael I heard it was some sort of oil in their transformers that they used to cool them. Apparently it is poisonous. There is no doubt one would have to be gutted and filled up with new electronics. I heard somewhere that the AC they used had a different cycle rate than most electric locomotives.
"Are You The Famous Invisible Man"?? People keep walking in front of your camera shot as if your not there, Shit Wow!! Great shot of the Unit right at the end, beautiful. Thanks for the video!
Nah. That was actually Ken Murry who is a pretty famous PRR photographer. We ended up hanging out and talking later. Super nice man. I am glad I got that because how else would I have proof we shot together?
It has often been proposed to restore a GG1 to operating condition. While it would be theoretically possible to run a GG1 on the current Northeast Corridor's electrical system, all surviving GG1s have had their transformers drained of PCBs, rendering them inoperative, and have asbestos in their electrical systems. These put restoration costs far out of reach for most non-profit preservation groups.
I think with modern tech in transfromers they should be able to build a replacement transfromer to get Black Jack running again also with a modern transfromer he might be able to run outiside of the 25Hz 12,000 volt catenary system and into the new Boston 60Hz Catenary system.
It's just not likely they would ever run again, first of all the electric motors would all need to be replaced, and the new motors would not be the same prime mover as the GG1 used. Then there is the PCB issues Also, the locomotives have been sitting for decades,many of them outdoors there were problems with the frames cracking also which is why many were retired in the first place. Then you'd have to have them running on the busiest rail corridor in the US.
at 1:21 i know that guy and because of this i'm sorry to say he is a nice guy but a bitoblivious to the world around him at times. great vid btw wish i was there.
It isn't actually the PCBs that are the problem... it's stress fractures in their frames. insofar as PCBs and asbestos insulation-- it's expensive to clean up, but not so much so that it's anything more than difficult
The GG-1 used "steering trucks" they were called pilot trucks and the GG-1's were equipped with mu so one engineer controlled as many locomotive's as were plugged together we've had mu since the early 20th century think subway cars. I've seen up to three GG-1's on a freight train though 2 were generally more the enough at 4600 continuous horsepower each no need for a more powerful locomotive? The aem-7 that Amtrak just retired was rated at 7000 hp the E-60 was rated at 6000 hp and when starting a train the heavier the train the better the E-60 performed the could put out 10,000 hp to the rear drawbar from a standing start And I loved their performance I ran both on the NYC to New Haven Ct run back in the 70's Don't forget the GG-1 traces its heritage back to the New Haven Railroad EP-3 the running gear is virtually identical
Yup MU is that old and the Key System in Oakland ca came out with a coupler in 1903 that all MU was done in the coupler. Air and electric no cables or hoses needed, a newer style is in use today on most LRV's.
I actually liked the intruders. It documented to the not so well versed people how important the move was. The guy who walks across is actually a pretty famous photog which I found out later. So I was glad he did walk through the shot. It captured the moment as it happened. If he would have camped out in front of the camera I may have been ticked.
My gosh, what is with people walking in front of your shots? Where is the professional courtesy when dealing with special movements? Doesn't anyone look to see where they are going and what is going on around them? The video and train content is very good, the 'intruders' should stay at home next time.
They are articulated and that is the problem cracking of the frames remember they were cast in the 1930's-1940's. I also would like to see one updated to run again one new transformer update the cab signals to the latest to comply with the positive train control law and add a hep generator to replace the steam generator unlike diesels the GG-1 use a single steam generator rated at 5000 pounds of steam per hour unlike diesels the GG-1 used two items from the steam locomotive era right up until they were retired the air compressor was a 8-1/2 inch Westinghouse cross compound steam air compressor rated at 140 CFM with the steam side removed and the piston rods driven by a electric motor turning a crankshaft the other steam era item was a steam injector used to transfer water from one tank to the other as the steam generator only drew water from one tank diesels used the smaller 2500 pound steam generator Geeps used one and E units used two.
Actually it didn't bother me. Captured the moment. I can't expect the world to stop for me. Plus when I found out who it was, I thought it was kinda cool. Do a google search for "Ken Murry PRR photographer". I was honored to get to hang out and talk to him. Plus he helped me get my motorcycle out of a rut at that crossing. Yes I chase with 2 cameras and a tripod on my motorcycle.
Of all people Murry should have known better. Just because you can Google his name doesn't give him special privileges. You put up with his foolishness, that's fine, I think it's patently rude no matter who it is/was.
Maybe if a GG1 fan was able to catch Osama Bin Ladin and claimed the money that could go a long way to getting one operational. However the 4935 would be the best candidate.
The GG1 is truly an American icon in railroad history.
im a member of a model rail club and one of the older members tells me about how his father would sneak him aboard a gg1 that his father was the engineer of it and i think thats fucking amazing
Around 1980, I was lucky enough to ride behind one, in similar vintage passenger cars, in a trip from Elizabeth, N.J. I to NYC.
The sides of the engine was all blackened out with NJDOT hand painted with a small brush on the side.
Just gorgeous. Nothing looks like a GG-1. Wish they still made engines with flowing lines like the E, F and G series. Not these boxy, utilitarian engines we have today.
I wish there was a GG1 in operation somewhere. I'd love to be able to go all through one!
How rude of people to walk in front of the camera. Kind of want to smack them in the head, lol. I got to board 4935 when it was in Penn Station and the engineer let me toot the horn. One of my greatest railfan moments.
Glad to hear that 👍
I'm surprised it didn't just sink that sidetrack into the ground.
luckily we can still see the GG1 still operate on the Trainz simulator
Destinee Meyer Speaking of which, I'm currently making a horn for it. (Got tired of the default horn.)
Have you made the horn yet?
@@cap5856 Yes.
Took an overnight train from Boston to DC in 1968 when I was nine years old. After NYC at one stop my mom walked me to the engine and told the engineer the GG1 was my favorite. He brought me in the cab and let me blow the whistle. The cab was tiny and the whistle was shrill! It was a thrill for me. MLK was shot while we were in DC and there was rioting near the train station, so we had to fly home.
Beautiful locomotive and even more beautiful dedication at the end.
That thing is gorgeous!! They dont make em like that anymore!
Looks like some folks forgot about common courtesy and never heard of a photo line!
I rode behind 4935 in 1979 on an excursion from Washington DC to Leaman Place (via Harrisburg), where the steam train picked us up and took us to Strasburg.
Beautiful horn on that switcher!!!!!
Thanks for capturing this moment!
I wished that a GG1 will be restored to operational condition
Sadly, can ever happen. Men from Wilmington shops told me frames are shot. No electrical equipment in them and would never pass FRA inspection.🥺
It went from Strasburg to Philly on the overnight Tuesday into Wednesday morning. Sat at 30th Street all day Wednesday, then moved to DC Wednesday night. Amtrak had a couple of their engines with a series of gondolas that was used for the move. The GG1 has no working brakes so there was a 30MPH speed restriction.
The one I have is "The Second Diesel Spotters Guide", (1973). Maybe a local hobby shop , railroad book ad in 'trains' magazine, or even e-bay. Possible a train show if one happens near you. It covers most all diesel loco's by EMD, GE, ALCO, F-M, BALDWIN, and more. It tells when built, h-p, how many built, variations between models, and more.
This is the Amtrak Keystone Corridor between Harrisburg and Philadelphia. The switcher (I am told) was recently purchased by The Strasburg Railroad in the future plans of moving some freight along their line.
Gotta love the guy at 1:20. Great video, sweet catch!
The GG1 also developed frame cracks, and as far as seeing one run, what track would it run on? The Northeast Corridor where it would have to share the rails with the Acela? You'll never see one run again.
Thanks for sharing this video. Wish I could have been there as well, but my work schedule wouldn't permit that.
nice video! that GG1 looks glorious just how it did back in the GG1 days on the NEC and harrisburg lines wish these engines still ran the NEC and harrisburg line
Thank you. I agree that horn does sound good.
The Sumer 2009 edition of Classic Trains magazine has a wonder celebration of the GG1's 75th Anniversary inside from pages 19-52.
Nice clip ya got there! Nice horn too.
This was filmed 1 day after my birthday!
Cool! 8618 looks like a diffrent engine! Saw this one last month when i was in the rrmopa! :)
now how did they get to D.C. after it was left at Leamen Place? Why would not just take it down the line by an amtrak unit at arrival?
"Da-HYUCK! I'm gonna stand RIGHT here in the middle of the camera!"
only 600VDC is the third rail in Grand Central and NY Penn Station though.
@jesterd14
Why not? There is more than one set of tracks on the NC
Wow. What a beautiful sight.
i miss seeing #1500. it in my area my whole childhood
My God, this is taking forever.....
according to the spotting features in the diesel spotters guide', it's an sw8.
@hhp8 at 5:58 he's putting wheel chocks under the GG-1. An extra precaution to prevent it from moving--
Love the horn on that switcher!!!
Looks like this is the first video of the 8618 online...
someone find a rich engineering college that give gg1s a hole new electric system and horns
+Adam Chancellor Whilst I agree on the electrical system, I disagree on the horn for sure. They may be old single-chime horns, but holy hell they're louder than what we have nowadays. Really give ya a punch in the gut if you're not ready.
Unfortunately, the trucks and frames of the GG1 locomotives are cracking, so they'd have to be rebuilt entirely in order to become functional again. They were magnificient machines of the last century. We've moved on. Today's locomotives are more powerful and have traction control, as well as steering trucks and other advances. And as they can use multiple locomotives controlled by one engineer for long trains when needed, there's no need to use a more powerful loco than necessary with shorter trains.
And I really liked the old GG1 horn too. It takes me back to when I was a kid, watching those great locomotives.
@Apex Gemini Look Buddy, if they can make a rotting B-29 ( "Doc" ) airworthy again or a rusting old coal burner ( UP#4014 ) operational again, they can get a GG1 up and running again.
@Apex Gemini Not really... I just hate a F*cking naysayer.
@Bill the Welding Sloth Exactly... If only the little bug-eyed man sending penis rockets into space was into trains? And like you said, with updated electrical systems it could be done, just as 4014 has updated systems, but mechanically is still a Big Boy...
The big problem is that they have 70 year old innards. Many of the electrical components are no longer made. TRAINS magazine for June 09 has a special issue on the GG1, and it explains why none will ever run again. Shame.
I would imagine so as these engines saw extreme temperature changes constantly running in the North East corridor. The metal would expand and contract as weather changed. Not to mention the vibration as the trains ran.
75 actually. That TRAINS Magazine on the GG1 that I'm referring to is in honor of the GG1's 75th Anniversary. Hey, here comes the champagne and confetti!
It returned a few days later once the anniversary party was over.
You think the rent a cops working down there would have been able to handle the photographic push if they kept all that classic power in house?
Poor GG1s, I would like to see one run again. That will probably never happen. If I ever win the lottery, 5 million is going into a GG1. I probably won't see one here on the west coast though.
+Streamlined Steamroller Can't remember what it is, but in order to run, they used some kind of chemical which is not allowed today. One would have to have modern electrical systems in order to run.
Steven Michael I heard it was some sort of oil in their transformers that they used to cool them. Apparently it is poisonous. There is no doubt one would have to be gutted and filled up with new electronics. I heard somewhere that the AC they used had a different cycle rate than most electric locomotives.
Sounds about right.
Steven Michael I think the oil was PCB.
Streamlined Steamroller That is correct! Just couldn't think of it.
the gg1 looks very good with rural america as a backround.
I saw a gg1 once when I was in Chicago on an amtrack train in 2006
Huh? Last one ran in 1983
@@joeynova3550 I saw it in a yard
I know that the GG1 does not have brakes, but could it run if it had electricity?
Everything was great until 1:20 when a random guy with a camera walks into the frame and perfectly spoils the run by shot. Unbelievable!
we have a GG1 in syracuse ny and ir was in pennsy livery than they paainted it into an amtrack
I'm really surprised the test runs weren't put on here before mine.
"Are You The Famous Invisible Man"?? People keep walking in front of your camera shot as if your not there, Shit Wow!! Great shot of the Unit right at the end, beautiful. Thanks for the video!
Perhaps a small portable “boat horn” is needed to jar them back to reality…
Is that what 8618 looked like in 2008
that darn geezer who blocked the view in the second scene... may he go to heaven! :D
Nah. That was actually Ken Murry who is a pretty famous PRR photographer. We ended up hanging out and talking later. Super nice man. I am glad I got that because how else would I have proof we shot together?
I agree.. It's my favorite loco
boy do they have that jazzed up
It has often been proposed to restore a GG1 to operating condition. While it would be theoretically possible to run a GG1 on the current Northeast Corridor's electrical system, all surviving GG1s have had their transformers drained of PCBs, rendering them inoperative, and have asbestos in their electrical systems. These put restoration costs far out of reach for most non-profit preservation groups.
ah man I really thought they were going to start it for a second there
So who picked up the GG1 was it Amtrak or NS or CSX?
I think with modern tech in transfromers they should be able to build a replacement transfromer to get Black Jack running again also with a modern transfromer he might be able to run outiside of the 25Hz 12,000 volt catenary system and into the new Boston 60Hz Catenary system.
It's just not likely they would ever run again, first of all the electric motors would all need to be replaced, and the new motors would not be the same prime mover as the GG1 used. Then there is the PCB issues Also, the locomotives have been sitting for decades,many of them outdoors there were problems with the frames cracking also which is why many were retired in the first place. Then you'd have to have them running on the busiest rail corridor in the US.
at 1:21 i know that guy and because of this i'm sorry to say he is a nice guy but a bitoblivious to the world around him at times. great vid btw wish i was there.
8618 looks better today with the black paint job
It isn't actually the PCBs that are the problem... it's stress fractures in their frames. insofar as PCBs and asbestos insulation-- it's expensive to clean up, but not so much so that it's anything more than difficult
Amazing how many people just walk right in front of the camera. Freakin' rude!
Great video. I was there today and didnt see it, when and how did it get moved to washington?
They used two Amtrak engines in push pull config with a couple of gons on each side for brakes.
why does that old guy walk in front of your camera at the middle of filming at Esbenshade? Ugh...i hate that...
Who towed the GG1 4935 to DC? How? Anyone know?
Dennis V Sinclair Amtrak. I believe it was engine 514 and another helper of I remember right.
Are they trying to restore it so it can run?
Ah thanks. When will it return?
these gg1s are very useful and clean electric powered environment friendly machines
The GG-1 used "steering trucks" they were called pilot trucks and the GG-1's were equipped with mu so one engineer controlled as many locomotive's as were plugged together we've had mu since the early 20th century think subway cars. I've seen up to three GG-1's on a freight train though 2 were generally more the enough at 4600 continuous horsepower each no need for a more powerful locomotive? The aem-7 that Amtrak just retired was rated at 7000 hp the E-60 was rated at 6000 hp and when starting a train the heavier the train the better the E-60 performed the could put out 10,000 hp to the rear drawbar from a standing start
And I loved their performance I ran both on the NYC to New Haven Ct run back in the 70's Don't forget the GG-1 traces its heritage back to the New Haven Railroad EP-3 the running gear is virtually identical
Yup MU is that old and the Key System in Oakland ca came out with a coupler in 1903 that all MU was done in the coupler. Air and electric no cables or hoses needed, a newer style is in use today on most LRV's.
Was the original sheet metal so wavy on these?
You make UA-cam videos fun.
They should have put the panagraph's up when they were showing the engine
is that the NS interchange?
so put new modern electrical in them bring them up to code. if not possible them make them again call it the GG-2
Wonder if there is room in a GG1 to put a couple 8 cylinder EMD locomotive engines in it and make one road worthy again with no over head
emdman1959 still have to deal with the asbestos and the pcb laden transformers, that's a lot of haz-mat to deal with and expensive.
emdman1959 why not use 2 16 cylinder GE 4400 horse engines
@@thavvolf9157 the transformer in this GG1 has been removed and the GG1 been completely stripped down and redone to remove any contaminants.
I actually liked the intruders. It documented to the not so well versed people how important the move was. The guy who walks across is actually a pretty famous photog which I found out later. So I was glad he did walk through the shot. It captured the moment as it happened. If he would have camped out in front of the camera I may have been ticked.
they should make a newer gg1 with the technology that trains have today and a little more aerodynamic
Is that a rail road ?
My gosh, what is with people walking in front of your shots? Where is the professional courtesy when dealing with special movements? Doesn't anyone look to see where they are going and what is going on around them? The video and train content is very good, the 'intruders' should stay at home next time.
Isn't that GG1 already at the PRR museum, now?
That is where it is kept yes. This was a special trip where it was taken to Washington DC for the stations centennial celebration.
Any footage of the anniversary?
this may be stupid but did they ever make GG2s??
Yes and no, just one DD2, used around South Philadelphia/ Wilmington freight runs.
whos switcher?
What was that green locomotive?
I believe it was a Strasburg switcher. I don't know the specifics on it.
Does it stil run(GG1)
What type of horn is that?
Was that 8618?
Why did it leave Strasburg?
It was foe a few days for an event IN Washington DC. It was returned.
i thought they were articulated?
They are articulated and that is the problem cracking of the frames remember they were cast in the 1930's-1940's. I also would like to see one updated to run again one new transformer update the cab signals to the latest to comply with the positive train control law and add a hep generator to replace the steam generator unlike diesels the GG-1 use a single steam generator rated at 5000 pounds of steam per hour unlike diesels the GG-1 used two items from the steam locomotive era right up until they were retired the air compressor was a 8-1/2 inch Westinghouse cross compound steam air compressor rated at 140 CFM with the steam side removed and the piston rods driven by a electric motor turning a crankshaft the other steam era item was a steam injector used to transfer water from one tank to the other as the steam generator only drew water from one tank diesels used the smaller 2500 pound steam generator Geeps used one and E units used two.
nice horn
Where would I find this guide?
Actually it didn't bother me. Captured the moment. I can't expect the world to stop for me. Plus when I found out who it was, I thought it was kinda cool. Do a google search for "Ken Murry PRR photographer". I was honored to get to hang out and talk to him. Plus he helped me get my motorcycle out of a rut at that crossing. Yes I chase with 2 cameras and a tripod on my motorcycle.
Of all people Murry should have known better. Just because you can Google his name doesn't give him special privileges. You put up with his foolishness, that's fine, I think it's patently rude no matter who it is/was.
Will the ever put GG-1S back into full power running on short tour's line.?
Maybe if a GG1 fan was able to catch Osama Bin Ladin and claimed the money that could go a long way to getting one operational. However the 4935 would be the best candidate.
and after all of that, there it sits.....
Why did I think The GG1 would be led up to the main..put its pants up and go on its merry way...
or the mainline where they dropped off the GG1
They took out the motor years ago=(