Pennsylvania Symbols, Elec. Locomotive: GG1 4859

Pennsylvania Symbols, Electric Locomotive: GG1 4859

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GG1 4859 Electric Locomotive

GG1 4859 Electric

Adopted on December 18, 1987.

The GG1 4859 Electric Locomotive is one of 139 sleek and shiny bullets that smoked the rails at speeds above 100 miles per hour. Built in 1937, the GG1 4859 pulled troop trains to military destinations during World War II and continued powering coal and passenger cars until retirement in 1979.

Built by the PRR starting in 1934 until 1943, a total of 139 of these elite locomotives were built for and by the Pennsylvania Railroad. They handled all main line passenger service between New York and Harrisburg, Pennsylvania in the electrified zones.

The Pennsylvania Railroad's GG-1's were geared for 110 mph in passenger service and somewhat lower for freight. They were used in freight service when traffic conditions permitted; they were numbered 4800-4938. The GG-1s' service life lasted well into the 1970s, with the last ones retired in 1980. When Amtrak took over passenger service in 1971, numbers 4899-4938 were included from Conrail, and many were renumbered to the 900 series in 1973.

This electric locomotive represents the finest of locomotives during the 1930s and 1940s. They have a graceful appearance with gold striping accenting their smooth, flowing lines. Capable of bi-directional operation, their appearance was enhanced when several were painted Tuscan red for operation on the morning and evening Congressional Limited between New York and Washington. Others were used on the Broadway Limited between New York and Harrisburg, blending in with the Tuscan red colors of the passenger equipment to present a fine-looking train. used on electrified lines between New York, Washington, and Harrisburg. Under a body designed by Raymond Loewly, the GG-1 combined power and speed, pulling 22 passenger cars at 100+ mph.They were operated by Penn Central, Conrail, NJT and Amtrak All were retired by 1983

No. 4935 is one of the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania most admired locomotives, taking second place perhaps only to the famous No. 3750, of the Pacific K4s class -- the official steam locomotive class of Pennsylvania, and the only one currently assembled.

Where is No. 4859?

No. 4859, built in 1937, is on display at Harrisburg (Pa.) Transportation Center, Amtrak Station -- the official state electric locomotive

No. 4935 Specifications:

Nickname "Blackjack."
4620 horsepower, 8500 maximum.
Liquid cooled transformer steps down
11,000 volts from catenary to 600 volts.
12 motors, 600 volt AC on 6 axles.
Weight 238 tons. GE electrical gear.
79' 6" long; 10' 6" wide; 15' high.
Special "quill" drive very effective.
Mileage, estimated 3 million miles.
7" pin and ball joint articulated (allows
undercarriage to swivel on curved tracks).
Streamlined design by Raymond Loewy.
Built in 1943 by PRR Juniata Shops.
139 GG1s were built from 1934 to 1943.

139 of these locomotives were built for and by the Pennsylvania Railroad.

The Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania houses one of the most significant collections of historic railroad artifacts in the world.

Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania
Route 741, P. O. BOX 15
STRASBURG, PENNSYLVANIA 17579
PHONE: 717 687- 8628 FAX: 717 687- 0876
Email: info@rrmuseumpa.org

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

HOUSE BILL

No. 1211 Session of 1987

       INTRODUCED BY GEIST, JOHNSON, HAYES, BRANDT, BARLEY, SCHULER,
          SCHEETZ, HONAMAN, MOEHLMANN, MILLER, WAMBACH, WOZNIAK AND
          HESS, APRIL 28, 1987

AS REPORTED FROM COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION, HOUSE OF
REPRESENTATIVES, AS AMENDED, JUNE 3, 1987

                                    AN ACT

    1 Selecting, designating and adopting the K4S 1361 Steam
    2    Locomotive as the official locomotive of the Commonwealth of
     3    Pennsylvania.
    4 SELECTING, DESIGNATING AND ADOPTING OFFICIAL STEAM AND ELECTRIC
    5    LOCOMOTIVES OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA.

    6    The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
    7 hereby enacts as follows:
    8 Section 1. Official locomotive.
    9    The K4S 1361 Steam Locomotive located at the Railroaders'
    10 Memorial Museum in Altoona, Pennsylvania, is hereby selected,
    11 designated and adopted as the official locomotive of the
    12 Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
    13 Section 2. Effective date.
    14    This act shall take effect immediately.
   15 SECTION 1. OFFICIAL LOCOMOTIVES.
   16    THE K4S 1361 STEAM LOCOMOTIVE LOCATED AT THE RAILROADERS'
   17 MEMORIAL MUSEUM IN ALTOONA, PENNSYLVANIA, AND THE K4S 3750 STEAM
   18 LOCOMOTIVE LOCATED AT THE PENNSYLVANIA RAILROAD MUSEUM IN

    1 STRASBURG, PENNSYLVANIA, ARE HEREBY SELECTED, DESIGNATED AND
    2 ADOPTED AS THE OFFICIAL STEAM LOCOMOTIVES OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF
    3 PENNSYLVANIA. THE GG1 4859 ELECTRIC LOCOMOTIVE LOCATED AT THE
    4 TRANSPORTATION CENTER IN HARRISBURG, PENNSYLVANIA, IS HEREBY
    5 SELECTED, DESIGNATED AND ADOPTED AS THE OFFICIAL ELECTRIC
    6 LOCOMOTIVE OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA.
    7 SECTION 2. EFFECTIVE DATE.
    8    THIS ACT SHALL TAKE EFFECT IMMEDIATELY.