@Trainfanz Can't happen. GG-1s have universal motors, with stators that work fine @ 25 Hz, but have lots of hysteresis loss at typical modern 60 Hz AC. So, as the 25 Hz NE corridor region dwindled, the area where they could be used went away. 12 motors (385 hp each) per GG-1 would have to be replaced, just for starters.
I suppose you could try to squeeze in a 5000 hp m-g set, if you could find space.
HHP-8s are much lighter, and easier on track; 8000 hp peak too.
i have a #2330 gg1 train set from the postwar era the one i have lionel had only made for one year in 1950 outfit #2159W and only came with freight cars i wish it was a passenger set like the 2340 or 2360 set the kid here in the video got but it comes with a nice looking line of freight cars the 2330 gg1s was the first to come with magnetraction and the first to have twin pullmor motors i have alot of other lionel sets posted my 1959 lionel n&w 746 j class space & militray set is my favorte set
Oh, how I wish that the asinine, government-subsidized pandering to General Motors had never happened. The interstate highway system ruined the best mode of transport forever.
In the beginning at 0:11, the locomotive in the background appears to be an experimental E-3b or E-2c electric. The E3b had a B-B-B truck arrangement. The E2c had a C-C arrangement. I've always wondered how they rigged up that center truck on the E2b. Anyway, it's a remarkably rare shot.
Nice vid! I do have to ask at 3:42 it says take on "fuel" and water. I thought the GG-1's were total electric. I understand taking on water and sand...but FUEL????
I'm lost...,Can anyone please fill me in on this???
@TheLastBrainLeft yeah thats something I don't understand why America did that. Steam locomotives and electric locomotives had way more power than our modern diesels, but it is always about economics.
@Bassfanatic94 Steamers were harder to maintain and needed water and coal every 100 miles and electrics were expensive and hazardous to work around. With diesels you just fill them up,lash them up and go.
@KilleTheHedgehog8492 Besides having lots of miles on the clock, the change on parts of their routes to 60 Hz AC, from 25 Hz pulled down the curtain on them.
Why? The 12 drive motors were "universal" motors, meaning the field was wired in series with the armature. Too much reactive impedance at 60 Hz.
This video was shot in Sunnyside, New York. This was the passenger and locomotive service yard for Penn Station. The Sand tower was just under Honeywell street.
The pig was used through the washer because these were electric locomotives. 11,000 volts AC and soap and water don't mix well.
The diesel fuel and water were for the steam boiler for passenger car heat. Back then all passenger cars were steam heated.
PRR GG1 Project: Looking to interview and record conversations with GG1 mechanics, electricians, maintenance personnel, engineers and historians for an upcoming documentary project.
I love that huge trainwash they go through with its super tall brushes and whirlygigs, although I did not know that a pig was used to push them through. Why was this?
I don't know the exact year. The film mentions the president's special rail car and that it was used by Eisenhower without mentioning that Reagn used it also LOL. The president's special car is now on display at the Gold Coast Railway Museum in Miami, Florida.
@yardlet6 Thats what I though, but actually watching it again I'm sure its for the safety of the men appyling the detergents with their brushes up on that high platform. It's pretty close to the live roof equipment.
I used to live right by a rail depot and they had an automatic train wash there too, the locos, which ran off 25KV overhead, would go straight through hauling the coaches with them. The seemed to be unaffected by bring drenched in soapy water.
The GG1 and others were able to run off of diesel power too in case the catenary was damaged. You couldn't have a bunch of electrics stopped, it would stop all traffic. Remember, regular diesel electrics ran on that same track as well.
Actually, the GG1's were straight electric and did not run off diesel power. If the power failed, the trains stopped. If it was an extended outage, they would have to send diesels out to pull the trains in. Been there, done that. The only engines that have both diesel and electric capability are the NH/PC FL9's and the GE Genesis units used out of New York today. These dual mode engines were used to eliminate changing from diesel to electric engines before entering NYC.
Until fairly recently, diesels + electric passenger locos had boilers for steam heating. Without doubt, heat for the crew cabs was electric, like in subway ars, trolleys, and interurbans.
It's a maintenance issue, you'd need a pantograph for each car, and switchgear in each car to control that power. Failing that, you'd have 10+ times the wear on the catenary wire from all the other wipers sliding across it. Also, those cars wouldn't be able to be pulled by other diesel or steam locomotives with steam heating. They all could use a common system regardless of the motive power source.
Wouldn't the head-end power come from the locomotive for lighting and diner cars? Amtrak uses that system, regardless of whether they are running in electrified territory or not.
On SEPTA's Regional Rail system (which uses PRR and Reading catenary), not all cars ride with the pantograph raised, as they use MU control.
wow look at tht wash, its impossible to get norfolk southern to even empty the toilets on our units
Tru5tno1 1 week ago
the pennsy: your true american railroad!
Nscaleguy1 1 month ago
Great video of the great GG1.
williamfriggle 2 months ago
The GG1 should come back, Hauling 18 cars WITH Electric problems, Amtrak needs these again
Trainfanz 4 months ago
@Trainfanz Can't happen. GG-1s have universal motors, with stators that work fine @ 25 Hz, but have lots of hysteresis loss at typical modern 60 Hz AC. So, as the 25 Hz NE corridor region dwindled, the area where they could be used went away. 12 motors (385 hp each) per GG-1 would have to be replaced, just for starters.
I suppose you could try to squeeze in a 5000 hp m-g set, if you could find space.
HHP-8s are much lighter, and easier on track; 8000 hp peak too.
woodscritter 3 months ago
i have a #2330 gg1 train set from the postwar era the one i have lionel had only made for one year in 1950 outfit #2159W and only came with freight cars i wish it was a passenger set like the 2340 or 2360 set the kid here in the video got but it comes with a nice looking line of freight cars the 2330 gg1s was the first to come with magnetraction and the first to have twin pullmor motors i have alot of other lionel sets posted my 1959 lionel n&w 746 j class space & militray set is my favorte set
grizzleybearz282004 4 months ago
I THINK THAT WAS THE 1954 POSTWAR LIONEL GG1 SET
grizzleybearz282004 7 months ago
great video but whatfind of fuel did it take whent i thought it was an all eletric engine
grizzleybearz282004 8 months ago
@grizzleybearz282004
i think it is the fuel for the boiler that heats the coaches as most of the GG1s were for passenger service at the time of this film
turbo1431 6 months ago
I love this hokey old films.
deloreanman14 9 months ago
A Better time when could get around and we had jobs in America. What ever happen to those days.
LycoValleyRRFan 10 months ago
where did you get this footage it is mad cool
artntrinkets 11 months ago
Oh, how I wish that the asinine, government-subsidized pandering to General Motors had never happened. The interstate highway system ruined the best mode of transport forever.
railroader1993 1 year ago
@railroader1993 and look they can't keep them fixed up.
LycoValleyRRFan 10 months ago
In the beginning at 0:11, the locomotive in the background appears to be an experimental E-3b or E-2c electric. The E3b had a B-B-B truck arrangement. The E2c had a C-C arrangement. I've always wondered how they rigged up that center truck on the E2b. Anyway, it's a remarkably rare shot.
Dockshund 1 year ago
@Dockshund The E2b is the prototype of the spanish not succesful 278 series, 3.000 HP and a lot of mechanic problems with that central truck!
Darkstylerz 11 months ago
Little boys love trains...until they actualy go to work for a railroad. Trust me.
WomackPhotoKCMO 1 year ago
Nice vid! I do have to ask at 3:42 it says take on "fuel" and water. I thought the GG-1's were total electric. I understand taking on water and sand...but FUEL????
I'm lost...,Can anyone please fill me in on this???
CSXer 1 year ago
@CSXer i agree with you, totally lost as i saw a woman fueling a GG-1, WTF???
Darkstylerz 11 months ago
@Darkstylerz Fuel is for the steam generator.
CoasterQ 9 months ago
18 cars that GG1 is pulling. Damn, the new engines can only do 10.
TheLastBrainLeft 2 years ago 14
@TheLastBrainLeft yeah thats something I don't understand why America did that. Steam locomotives and electric locomotives had way more power than our modern diesels, but it is always about economics.
Bassfanatic94 1 year ago
@Bassfanatic94 Steamers were harder to maintain and needed water and coal every 100 miles and electrics were expensive and hazardous to work around. With diesels you just fill them up,lash them up and go.
yardlet6 8 months ago
The air conditioning also used steam, along with possibly some cooking equipment.
boilerbob7 2 years ago
plus the GG1 is a sexy beatful Electic train of maganifance buty i dont know why they would take it out of sirvice...i think should run for ATRACK
KilleTheHedgehog8492 2 years ago
@KilleTheHedgehog8492 Besides having lots of miles on the clock, the change on parts of their routes to 60 Hz AC, from 25 Hz pulled down the curtain on them.
Why? The 12 drive motors were "universal" motors, meaning the field was wired in series with the armature. Too much reactive impedance at 60 Hz.
woodscritter 1 year ago
what will hapen if all the modren Amrtack electric engens were also all replaced with the GG1
KilleTheHedgehog8492 2 years ago
Comment removed
five0fan 2 years ago
FOor the steam boiler(s)
rwkebalo 2 years ago
0:56 Trenton Makes...The World Takes
choirboyfromhell1 2 years ago
Those were the days . . .
DickAllen4HOF 2 years ago 2
This video was shot in Sunnyside, New York. This was the passenger and locomotive service yard for Penn Station. The Sand tower was just under Honeywell street.
The pig was used through the washer because these were electric locomotives. 11,000 volts AC and soap and water don't mix well.
The diesel fuel and water were for the steam boiler for passenger car heat. Back then all passenger cars were steam heated.
drich346 2 years ago
PRR GG1 Project: Looking to interview and record conversations with GG1 mechanics, electricians, maintenance personnel, engineers and historians for an upcoming documentary project.
Dvincenzo 2 years ago
Nice video! Any idea what year it was filmed?
I love that huge trainwash they go through with its super tall brushes and whirlygigs, although I did not know that a pig was used to push them through. Why was this?
soundseeker63 2 years ago
Comment removed
DickAllen4HOF 2 years ago
I don't know the exact year. The film mentions the president's special rail car and that it was used by Eisenhower without mentioning that Reagn used it also LOL. The president's special car is now on display at the Gold Coast Railway Museum in Miami, Florida.
DickAllen4HOF 2 years ago
@soundseeker63 No power on the engine so they could get it through that waterlogged machine.
yardlet6 8 months ago
@yardlet6 Thats what I though, but actually watching it again I'm sure its for the safety of the men appyling the detergents with their brushes up on that high platform. It's pretty close to the live roof equipment.
I used to live right by a rail depot and they had an automatic train wash there too, the locos, which ran off 25KV overhead, would go straight through hauling the coaches with them. The seemed to be unaffected by bring drenched in soapy water.
soundseeker63 8 months ago
@soundseeker63 These guys are professionals so they know how to work. Remember the power for the engine is off. That's why you need the barney.
yardlet6 8 months ago
It looks strange seeing a GG1 take on fuel oil, would that be for the steam generator if there was a power failure?
Intransitman 2 years ago
I was gonna say exactly that.
DaftStrings 2 years ago
Was the early shots going across the bridges in Harrisburg PA? Sure looks like it anyway...
kleetus92 2 years ago
Oops sorry, I stand corrected
Gunfighter1b 2 years ago
The GG1 and others were able to run off of diesel power too in case the catenary was damaged. You couldn't have a bunch of electrics stopped, it would stop all traffic. Remember, regular diesel electrics ran on that same track as well.
Gunfighter1b 2 years ago
Actually, the GG1's were straight electric and did not run off diesel power. If the power failed, the trains stopped. If it was an extended outage, they would have to send diesels out to pull the trains in. Been there, done that. The only engines that have both diesel and electric capability are the NH/PC FL9's and the GE Genesis units used out of New York today. These dual mode engines were used to eliminate changing from diesel to electric engines before entering NYC.
C40dash8 2 years ago
These had a real "retro" look to them...
jst2k09 2 years ago
the PRR has some of the most retro unique equipment in the world!
callinstead09 2 years ago
@callinstead09 - HAD some of the most retro unique equipment.
JBofBrisbane 1 year ago
You don't understand what I meant...
callinstead09 1 year ago
Until fairly recently, diesels + electric passenger locos had boilers for steam heating. Without doubt, heat for the crew cabs was electric, like in subway ars, trolleys, and interurbans.
boazrg 3 years ago
This is a hoot!
cbehr91 3 years ago
Yes, steam heat fired by oil burners.
This is absolutely incredible, thanks for posting!
ibook133 3 years ago
Terrific. Thanks for sharing this slice of history, which captures a time in which travel was fun (instead of fearful and feral)!
brooklynparrot 3 years ago 8
Why would a GG1 need fuel?
A1l2l2e2n4 3 years ago
Maybe for carriage heating.
eti1984 3 years ago 2
They DID have steam heaters, now that you mention it. And if I'm not mistaken, those heaters were for the entire train, not just the locomotive cabs.
A1l2l2e2n4 3 years ago 2
Yes, those heaters were to supply steam to heat the older steam-heated passenger cars.
To another poster, why would the PRR need steam to generate electricity to light the passenger cars when they had 11KV AC at 25 Hz overhead?
OldsVistaCruiser 3 years ago
It's a maintenance issue, you'd need a pantograph for each car, and switchgear in each car to control that power. Failing that, you'd have 10+ times the wear on the catenary wire from all the other wipers sliding across it. Also, those cars wouldn't be able to be pulled by other diesel or steam locomotives with steam heating. They all could use a common system regardless of the motive power source.
kleetus92 2 years ago
Wouldn't the head-end power come from the locomotive for lighting and diner cars? Amtrak uses that system, regardless of whether they are running in electrified territory or not.
On SEPTA's Regional Rail system (which uses PRR and Reading catenary), not all cars ride with the pantograph raised, as they use MU control.
OldsVistaCruiser 2 years ago
Probably, but don't forget Amtrak is 30-40 years after the fact. I don't even know if they use steam today for heat.
Does SEPTA's cars all have powered boogies? Brakes obviously, but I don't think there are traction motors in each truck.
kleetus92 2 years ago
it's steam to power the electric lights in the passenger cars.
s7o0a0p 3 years ago