Interestingly, the GG-1 was obviously overpowered for the short consists on the NEC. I went running on the NEC in the 1980's, just after their demise and was told by the old-timers that when braking, the GG-1's were so heavy and powerful, they would wear all the brake shoes down prematurely. Also, damaged the disc brake rotors on the Amfleet equipment. Much too powerful for short consists. Nice videos, thanks!
@tazamack Amfleets were actually designed to be used for up to 50 years and more! Thats a working design that follows the age ole principle of "If it aint broke, dont fix it".
@6V92TA A fact most people don't realize is that Amfleet was built to replace Amtrak's aging "heritage" fleet from the private railroads, most built right after WW2. Amfleet is now older than the heritage fleet when the Amfleet order was placed. Some heritage baggs continue to roll, much to my delight. Time marches on.
GREAT VIDEO AND FOR 1979 THE THE VIDEO WAS PRETTY NICE AND CLEAR NOW IV LEARNED FOR THE FIRST TIME ABOUT A MONTH AGO THAT THE GG1s ONLY RAN ON ELECTRIC I ALWAYS THOUGHT THAY WERE POWERED BY DIESEL AND ELECTRIC NOW IF THE POWER GOS OUT DID THAY HAVE ANY KIND OF A BACKUP SETUP TO KEEP GOING?
They were just too old. When the AEM and ALPs came it was all over. Some yard workers were happy to see them go. One called the GG1s "PCP ridden pigs"!
Man.... I wish they still ran GG1s. Hm... a few days ago I saw a diesel angine running on the SEPTA Regional Rail line and night (amtrak uses it too) and it was really quiet.... almost quiet like these but none of them operate, correct?
No DeltaPhi79, none of the remaining 19 GG-1 survivors [out of 139 produced] are powered. Their power units contained hazardous PCBs, which is why we won't see one run under it's original power again.
Very good point! What a shame though, favorite engine and unfortunately not old enough to have seen one run in real life. I do have a nice HO Trix model, runs well and pulls a fuck ton of cars :) Do you know if there are any plans to get one of the survivors running under some other power. Atleast make it a dummy and make it look like a helper..
Would be nice; sadly I don't think there's any plans to modify a GG-1 to build a powered unit. Heck, I would just like to see 4876 be restored soon.
While I was around when the GG-1s were still in service, I would've been 1.5 years old when they were retired. If I saw any actually running, I have no memory of it.
An E60 with its lights still on the nose. Nice. I heard that the coaches rode too close to the nose sometimes that the expandable connectors between coaches had a tendency to shear off the lights off on really tight turns.
Well, considering the fact that the E60 was originally developed as a heavy freight loco, being able to lug long passenger trains is an easy feat for them.
@6V92TA yeah, now I like the fact that there are 8 car trains regularly during the work week on WMATA. However, I wish they made them run every day of the week, because it would save a lot of traffic and time!
@KingBuick MARTA Rail here in Atlanta only operates 6 car trains, 3 mated pairs. You might see an 8 car train during special events. The blue line runs only 2 car trains.
@6V92TA It's weird to see early WMATA footage. I've seen photos before of 4 car WMATA trains, but 3 cars I've never heard of nor seen before until now. Then again, back then WMATA was just starting Metro service, so they had fewer cars then they do now. The original Rohr cars are still used even though the NTSB said that they were dangerous to use after the accident in June of '09. This defines the modern day WMATA administration.
I know this was 9 mos ago but I have to reply...Amfleet cars were partially inspired by the design of an airplane fuselage..so small windows were part of the design...
I lived within a mile of the Trenton cutoff in King of Prussia and would love hearing the GG1's pulling freight. They used the E44's also but their horns weren't as neat....
I have taken the metroliner many times going way back to the mid 70s....many of those very metroliners were pulled by GG1's.....i was friendly with alot of the engineers out of Penn Station NYC at the time and took a cab ride in a GG1 once from NYC to Trenton.....I had to make my way back at the time though....was in my early 20s at the time ......seeing these video's brings back great memories of the fantastic GG1 :)
I used to play hookie at Narberth, Pennsylvania in 1969 to watch trains. And the GG-1's made it worth it! The wire would start to wave up and down a minute or so before it got there, then this roaring behemoth would flash by, pantograph sparking wildly, with bits of paper and other flotsam being trailed along in its wake. The trains were on their way to Harrisburg, and would already be hitting 80 mph on their way up to 110. What a machine! The silver commuters were quite boring by comparison.
@TrainiacProductions The Leslie Typhon A-200 is considered a classic horn. Was commonly used on many diesel locomotives during the 40s and 50s and were eventually supplanted by multi-chime horns. However, many of these "honkers" survived on locomotives thru the early 1970s. Look at the old classic movies where diesel powered passenger trains are in the scenes and you'll likely here the A-200 horn sound.
16 cars: 11 coaches and 5 snack cars on one train, and on another 3 coaches with 2 snack cars surrounding 2 of the coaches. Amtrak was doing some weird science with the consists of their trains back then.
They also had the problem of the frames cracking, and asbestos in the electrical systems. Locomotives that were as much as 45 years old in 1979 tend to wear, and the GG1s were well and truly beat by the 1980s.
Despite the Gs haulin' ass on nearly every train they never could go top speed. Penn Central took a light one out and went 160 with the throttle half-way open!
The A2oo Type single note horn was common not just on GG1's but on New York Centrals Alco RS32's, there was another type of simalar horn Single note horn called a WABCO E2
The E60CPs 950-957 had steam boilers to power light and heat to the older, steam-heated passenger cars. The E60CHs (the rest of them) had Head-End Power, ie, generators that provided electricity for power and heat to Amfleet cars and any Heritage cars converted to electric heat. I'm not as familiar with the E60MAs except that they were just rebuilt E60CH (and probably a few CPs). By then, all cars had electric heat.
@e44e33 i think the steam generators were for heat and hot water only. Power to the cars were supplied from the locomotive itself or from on-board generators .
I've never heard of a gg1 before
csbrucke 7 months ago
Interestingly, the GG-1 was obviously overpowered for the short consists on the NEC. I went running on the NEC in the 1980's, just after their demise and was told by the old-timers that when braking, the GG-1's were so heavy and powerful, they would wear all the brake shoes down prematurely. Also, damaged the disc brake rotors on the Amfleet equipment. Much too powerful for short consists. Nice videos, thanks!
oversearailway 7 months ago
@tazamack Amfleets were actually designed to be used for up to 50 years and more! Thats a working design that follows the age ole principle of "If it aint broke, dont fix it".
6V92TA 8 months ago
@6V92TA A fact most people don't realize is that Amfleet was built to replace Amtrak's aging "heritage" fleet from the private railroads, most built right after WW2. Amfleet is now older than the heritage fleet when the Amfleet order was placed. Some heritage baggs continue to roll, much to my delight. Time marches on.
oversearailway 7 months ago
GG1 horn boner!!!
6V92TA 8 months ago
GREAT VIDEO AND FOR 1979 THE THE VIDEO WAS PRETTY NICE AND CLEAR NOW IV LEARNED FOR THE FIRST TIME ABOUT A MONTH AGO THAT THE GG1s ONLY RAN ON ELECTRIC I ALWAYS THOUGHT THAY WERE POWERED BY DIESEL AND ELECTRIC NOW IF THE POWER GOS OUT DID THAY HAVE ANY KIND OF A BACKUP SETUP TO KEEP GOING?
grizzleybearz282004 8 months ago
how long is that E60 train ?!
highmountainflyer 10 months ago
they retired the GG1 because of the PCB`s in the motors or generators?.....why not use newer motors in them?.....Cost?
jeepers2655 1 year ago
I like it
MSNWindows7 1 year ago
No, sad to say.
e44e33 1 year ago
they still use GG1s?
MarblesStudios 1 year ago
@MarblesStudios not since 1983
Amtrak1194 1 year ago
you know whats funny about the GG1 Horn It sounds like a VERY Compressed fart
OGICHI21 1 year ago
2nd to last is powerfull 16 cas
1700tc 2 years ago
Amtrak needs to modernize its rails / rail beds and its rolling stock. Those passenger cars are ancient. And why such small windows.
yarmo28 2 years ago
If you read the description (and kept yourself up to date on railroading) you would take note that this was shot in 1979...
bertxblitzkrieg 2 years ago
Surely the locomotive and cars at :33 ff was not from 1979. That was what I was referring to.
yarmo28 2 years ago
@yarmo28 yeah, its probably not from 1979, it actually looks older than that
bertxblitzkrieg 1 year ago
Tell you one thing those Amfleet cars haven't change to much since 79 until now.
Brucelocomotiveman 2 years ago
My bad.
yardlet6 2 years ago
They were just too old. When the AEM and ALPs came it was all over. Some yard workers were happy to see them go. One called the GG1s "PCP ridden pigs"!
yardlet6 2 years ago
Have anymore GG1 video?? Great video thanks for posting.
alvintrain 2 years ago
Bowlie, MD thats the old electric locamotive that they used in the 1910s or 1930s on 0:01
sideslide23 2 years ago
aem-7?
zink444 2 years ago
they didnt exist yet.
trainfan1143 2 years ago
Man.... I wish they still ran GG1s. Hm... a few days ago I saw a diesel angine running on the SEPTA Regional Rail line and night (amtrak uses it too) and it was really quiet.... almost quiet like these but none of them operate, correct?
DeltaPhi79 2 years ago 3
The GG1s use Leslie A200s right.
DeltaPhi79 2 years ago
No DeltaPhi79, none of the remaining 19 GG-1 survivors [out of 139 produced] are powered. Their power units contained hazardous PCBs, which is why we won't see one run under it's original power again.
wrailfan 2 years ago
Very good point! What a shame though, favorite engine and unfortunately not old enough to have seen one run in real life. I do have a nice HO Trix model, runs well and pulls a fuck ton of cars :) Do you know if there are any plans to get one of the survivors running under some other power. Atleast make it a dummy and make it look like a helper..
cubspiano 2 years ago
Would be nice; sadly I don't think there's any plans to modify a GG-1 to build a powered unit. Heck, I would just like to see 4876 be restored soon.
While I was around when the GG-1s were still in service, I would've been 1.5 years old when they were retired. If I saw any actually running, I have no memory of it.
wrailfan 2 years ago
WOW! Those Run EXTREMELY Smoothly Compared To Today. I Mean They Still Run Smooth Today But These Sound Wicked Smooth!
hair2show 2 years ago
Wow, train horns sounded different back in the 1930s! I've heard them sounding like that on old Looney Tunes cartoons numerous times.
wilek209 2 years ago
And by 1930s, I meant when the locomotives were made.
wilek209 2 years ago
An E60 with its lights still on the nose. Nice. I heard that the coaches rode too close to the nose sometimes that the expandable connectors between coaches had a tendency to shear off the lights off on really tight turns.
Bellwestern80 2 years ago
isnt landover the line in between new Carrollton MD and union station?
SquizziPhish 2 years ago
I know the E60 were strong engines, but an 18-car train is quite impressive!
Koide9 2 years ago 13
I know! Hard to find these days with either the HHP-8's or the AEM-7's. I wish the E60's were still here.
Train538 2 years ago
Well, considering the fact that the E60 was originally developed as a heavy freight loco, being able to lug long passenger trains is an easy feat for them.
pennsyr1 2 years ago
look closely and you can see Washington DC's Metrorail train cars in the distance.
KingBuick 2 years ago 10
@KingBuick running 3 cars too! 1979 to 2011 and they still look the same lol!
6V92TA 8 months ago
@6V92TA yeah, now I like the fact that there are 8 car trains regularly during the work week on WMATA. However, I wish they made them run every day of the week, because it would save a lot of traffic and time!
KingBuick 8 months ago
@KingBuick MARTA Rail here in Atlanta only operates 6 car trains, 3 mated pairs. You might see an 8 car train during special events. The blue line runs only 2 car trains.
6V92TA 8 months ago
@6V92TA It's weird to see early WMATA footage. I've seen photos before of 4 car WMATA trains, but 3 cars I've never heard of nor seen before until now. Then again, back then WMATA was just starting Metro service, so they had fewer cars then they do now. The original Rohr cars are still used even though the NTSB said that they were dangerous to use after the accident in June of '09. This defines the modern day WMATA administration.
KingBuick 8 months ago
what video format were you using
whelensucks 2 years ago
16mm film
e44e33 2 years ago
HOLY SHIT thats awsome
whelensucks 2 years ago 3
the GG1's horn sounds like a farting sound :)
hansol0801 2 years ago 2
It really sounds like a fog horn, anyone can be frighten by it
johnsonkill16 2 years ago
Just from the neat horn sound to how quiet the engines are. I never saw one in life but I wish we still had GG1s....
DeltaPhi79 2 years ago
Is there a reason, beyond simple design, that Amtrak passenger cars have such small windows?
Compare them with any European of Japanese train and you'll see what I mean.
yarmo28 2 years ago
I think that when they were being designed, vandalism was a major problem on railroads.
beldarluke 2 years ago
I know this was 9 mos ago but I have to reply...Amfleet cars were partially inspired by the design of an airplane fuselage..so small windows were part of the design...
sneakas9 2 years ago
Interesting how loud the E60CH is compared to the GG1, in motor noise!
TrainManTy 2 years ago
GG1s are amazing!
cubspiano 2 years ago
Gah fog horns
XDared45X 2 years ago
The GG1s just don't look the same without their PRR scheme.
I guess I'm fortunate that I can see 'Old Rivets' everyday!
wrailfan 3 years ago 4
Never heard the GG1's horn before this posting. That is a really cool sounding horn. It kind of sounds like the ferries here in WA.
98148AH 3 years ago 4
It certainly does!
placekicker 3 years ago
good ol days
david245611 3 years ago
BLAAAAAAAAAT !! One of my faves !!! The GG1 could still be running if not for the VOC's in the transformers.
ProfessorIgor 3 years ago 2
the GG1 was pretty quite by the sounds of it
boeingLL747 3 years ago
hahaha!! love that funny gg1 horn! XD
parbharostam 3 years ago
This has been flagged as spam show
The GG1 Leslie sounds like a fart
Shattyapple 3 years ago
metro still looks the same as it does today
CabooseColin 3 years ago
The G racing the Metro is neat.
RDG484 3 years ago 3
That GG1 horn means business!
ViagraMan2Us 3 years ago 3
I lived within a mile of the Trenton cutoff in King of Prussia and would love hearing the GG1's pulling freight. They used the E44's also but their horns weren't as neat....
32INCHSTRIPER 3 years ago
I have taken the metroliner many times going way back to the mid 70s....many of those very metroliners were pulled by GG1's.....i was friendly with alot of the engineers out of Penn Station NYC at the time and took a cab ride in a GG1 once from NYC to Trenton.....I had to make my way back at the time though....was in my early 20s at the time ......seeing these video's brings back great memories of the fantastic GG1 :)
sparks1504 3 years ago
I used to play hookie at Narberth, Pennsylvania in 1969 to watch trains. And the GG-1's made it worth it! The wire would start to wave up and down a minute or so before it got there, then this roaring behemoth would flash by, pantograph sparking wildly, with bits of paper and other flotsam being trailed along in its wake. The trains were on their way to Harrisburg, and would already be hitting 80 mph on their way up to 110. What a machine! The silver commuters were quite boring by comparison.
killingamps 3 years ago
What type of horn did the GG1's have? It sounds very odd!
TrainiacProductions 3 years ago
Leslie Tyfon A-200
e44e33 3 years ago
Oh okay! Thanks very much! Thought it sounded weird
TrainiacProductions 3 years ago
@TrainiacProductions The Leslie Typhon A-200 is considered a classic horn. Was commonly used on many diesel locomotives during the 40s and 50s and were eventually supplanted by multi-chime horns. However, many of these "honkers" survived on locomotives thru the early 1970s. Look at the old classic movies where diesel powered passenger trains are in the scenes and you'll likely here the A-200 horn sound.
ACLTony 1 year ago
@ACLTony I usually hear that same type of horn sound almost any time a diesel or electric train is depicted on the old Looney Tunes cartoons
wileyk209zback 1 year ago
16 cars: 11 coaches and 5 snack cars on one train, and on another 3 coaches with 2 snack cars surrounding 2 of the coaches. Amtrak was doing some weird science with the consists of their trains back then.
bitrex 3 years ago
i cant wait till kato comes out with a gg1 for n scale
blazian1011 3 years ago
GG1 is my favorite electric locomotive and second only to the venerable f40ph in my heart lol
justmejie 4 years ago
Ya know, im a man of steam, but the GG1 has got to be my single favorite electric locomotive. There is no way you cannot like them.
DarkTower97 4 years ago
you know, if not for the PCB's in the GG1's transformers, it would probably still be in use today.. What a great locomotive.
ProfessorIgor 4 years ago
They also had the problem of the frames cracking, and asbestos in the electrical systems. Locomotives that were as much as 45 years old in 1979 tend to wear, and the GG1s were well and truly beat by the 1980s.
TheMann2000 4 years ago
Awesome! Pure vintage railroad footage. You should send that to the pentrex company.
RCdash9 4 years ago 3
Despite the Gs haulin' ass on nearly every train they never could go top speed. Penn Central took a light one out and went 160 with the throttle half-way open!
hfkjehgufihgiufewi 4 years ago
I've always wanted to see the GG1's on video. Thanks for posting this!
cchan006 4 years ago 4
And in the distance at the end... A Lone Metro Train. :) Nice Amtrak vid. My favorite rail-line :)
USSENTERPRISEB 4 years ago
The A2oo Type single note horn was common not just on GG1's but on New York Centrals Alco RS32's, there was another type of simalar horn Single note horn called a WABCO E2
AZZ124567 4 years ago
Not only those but on nearly every early first-generation diesel. ALCO and EMD cab units had them. Early EMD Geeps had them too.
hfkjehgufihgiufewi 4 years ago
The GG1s have a great horn
hhp8 4 years ago
Wow, 16 Amfleets on the train pulled by the E60.
jerseyemt 4 years ago
awesome !!! The GG-1 is one of my faves... nice to hear the "blat" horn too.
ProfessorIgor 4 years ago
This video rocks!
alleghenymountains 4 years ago
I've been looking everywhere for a GG1 video. Thanks.
DrewPickles666 4 years ago 2
Ironically all of the E60s have been scrapped except for one. Good to know that at least it will be preserved.
ACLTony 4 years ago
Awsome vid!
railbum 4 years ago
It is a real treat so see GG1s in action, thanks for posting.
RRConductor7 4 years ago
classic shots. great job man!
Junkie133343 5 years ago
The E60CPs 950-957 had steam boilers to power light and heat to the older, steam-heated passenger cars. The E60CHs (the rest of them) had Head-End Power, ie, generators that provided electricity for power and heat to Amfleet cars and any Heritage cars converted to electric heat. I'm not as familiar with the E60MAs except that they were just rebuilt E60CH (and probably a few CPs). By then, all cars had electric heat.
e44e33 5 years ago
@e44e33 i think the steam generators were for heat and hot water only. Power to the cars were supplied from the locomotive itself or from on-board generators .
6V92TA 1 year ago
what's the difference between an E60CP, E60CH, and an E60MA?
2GUNBOY 5 years ago
I think that I might have one, probably post PC. I'll search.
e44e33 5 years ago
Do you have any videos of the Penn Central/Amtrak
Metroliners?
2GUNBOY 5 years ago
Was the last GG-1 near DC? Cause that looked like the Metro system with cars in the background
nx2000 5 years ago
Yes, Landover Tower
e44e33 5 years ago
I LOVE THIS VIDEO. This is awesome!
sportsmovieman 5 years ago
Great classic shots.
Thanks!
AmtrakBill 5 years ago