Old Rivets And Passenger Service

Like all others, this GG1 was designed and geared for passenger service and possibly pulled the heavyweight CONGRESSIONAL on occasion.  Once the Congressional was equipped with lightweight cars in 1952 I would speculate the 4800 never pulled that train. The 1952 train generally was pulled by Tuscan GG1's painted specifically for the Congressional and Senator trains.

At some point ca  mid'50's - early '60's the 4800 had its steam boiler removed and was re-geared for freight service. A friend of mine who was an Amtrak / Conrail engineman said the 4800 was about the smoothest and quietest of all the GG1's. He only ran the 4800 in freight service since he didn't hire on until about 1970 when the loco was no longer equipped for passenger service.

good input------ thanks

Bob C.

According to "The Remarkable GG1" by Karl Zimmerman, on Feb 10, 1935 the 4800 pulled the northbound Congressional, inaugurating electrified service for the train.  The would've been a heavyweight train however.

Rusty

The PRR was running heavyweights on the GG1 powered Congressional Limited Express from 1935 until 1952, when the PRR bought two new streamlined train sets and painted some GG1s Tuscan to pull them.  The name was changed from Congressional Limited Express to the Morning Congressional and the Afternoon Congressional when the new cars arrived in 1952.

I think it would be a good bet 4800 pulled the Congressional Limited Express many times over those 17 years.

Then what did the silver G's pull?

what are silver Gs?

Bob C.

Robert Coniglio posted:

what are silver Gs?

 

Bob C.

 

Rusty

About 1956,There were three G's painted in the colors shown in Rusty's photo. The intent was to use them for the Congressionals. Rust from the pantographs soon spoiled the appearrance and PRR had difficulty in keeping these locos clean looking for the train. scheduling proved difficult as well. Sometimes, the engine didnt turn around as fast as the train or it was needed to cover another train schedule.

They didnt last long on these trains and did spend a lot of their time on the North Jersey Coast runs. 

I tell you what, the real Old Rivets is badly in need of a paint job.

interesting thread - thanks guys!

yes. much good input

Bob C.

Here is a GG1 Web site. You will find it vary interesting.

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

Just looked at the website you posted, Richard.  Karl Zimmerman pointed out the odd numbering of some GG1s.  I wonder what the reason was for changing the four digit numbers to three digits ?

The silver with solid red stripe GG1's were common power for the Silver Meteor. If I saw the Silver Meteor running through Baltimore 50 times (which I am sure I did at a minimum) it had a silver GG1 on 40 some of those occasions.