GG1 An American Classic 1of4

A 1983 Documentary that depicts the final operations of NJT's GG1 fleet focussing on Ol' Big Red 4877. Depicts the engine change at South Amboy, New Jersey and features many on locomotive views.
In short, if you wanted to know what an operating GG1 is like, this film shows it.

[@dennismaloney7241]

I operated the GG-1, E-60 and the E-8 when I was just 21 while working for Conrail.

[@mdlanor5414]

Dennis Maloney What year did you hire on the railroad?

[@jaminova_1969]

My Uncle Joe was a mechanic for Conrail in the 1980's.

[@joefrew1614]

Wow, what a very fun prolific career you must've had Dennis. I'd be quite happy enough to have a gig with the Norfolk Southern, Amtrak or even my local short line railroad.

[@GreenbeanProductions]

Wow thats COOL thats got to be a great memory operating these iconic locomotives what was it like back then i bet you prob even seen atleast any U34CH’s

[@MrStark-up6fi]

The GG1s are the best. Lucky for you lad

[@lineshaftrestorations7903]

The GG1 design was so successful it makes one ponder why the design was not perpetuated. It wasn't a flawed design that removed them from the rails but fatigue and old age.

[@anb7408]

Not just the GG1. Electric locomotives tend to last longer because of far less maintenance and moving parts compared to diesels. But catenary and substation upkeep is prohibitively expensive.

[@LMB222]

It was heavy a.f. If I remember correctly, one was over 300 tonnes.

[@iron1349]

Probably my favorite non-steam locomotive. Beautiful, powerful and incredibly reliable, having ran for about 50 years during their work lives.

[@thestarlightalchemist7333]

Hey iron, wazzup?

[@herbertrodriquez6456]

I had the privilege of riding behind a GG-1 back in 77 before they were due to retire. Incredible locomotive!

[@christopherorourke6362]

The GG-1 is the greatest electric railroad engine that was designed, built & ever ran, they were fast.

[@purrup1]

except for the shinkansen and tgv

[@phildoethedildoe]

Says the guy Named after the GERMAN Aircraft Company...i do believe WE-USA bombed that company out of existence. Food for thought to those in Europe...The USA still retains the highest horsepower at the draw-bar for a locomotive, no one else has even tried to come close. Our Baldwin BigBoy, UP Challenger, Yellowstones, and Diesel Turbine- Big Blow engines all surpassed everything you have built yet. and don't get me going about the newer GE Diesel Electric's that put out 6000 HP with no issue. Back to the GG-1, these old heavy monsters could still pull a 20 car heavyweight Pullman Train and still never break a sweat and could do so at 100MPH with 8,000 Hp at the draw-bar and still have over 70% power spare.

[@X8X8X8X8X8X8X8X8X8X]

It's "Heinkel", not "Hynkel", you arrogant fool.

[@jacquesblaque7728]

Phil, what are you ranting about? ALCO designed and built the BigBoys. What is a "Diesel Turbine? Did you know that the 6000 hp-rated diesel-electrics of GE & EMD did not survive long, with engine and/or electrical system failures? Hardly "no issue". The GG-1s were rated at 4620 hp continuous and 8500 hp short-term. We in USA have nothing to match European/Asian high-speed trains.

[@jacquesblaque7728]

I forgot- the universal motors of the GG-1 worked fine on 25 Hz power. When CosCob power plant (25 Hz) was shut down and the catenary power went to 60Hz of NU, no more GG-1s could run NYC-New Haven.

[@Cruithne3753]

Not often you see an electric getting the sort of love reserved for steam locos... really digging the art deco lines of that thing.

[@wfglaser]

One of the greatest locomotives ever built. Rode behind GG1s on the NE Corridor between DC and NYC. Flying at 90 mph in Pennsy streamline coaches. Cool.

[@WesternOhioInterurbanHistory]

Greatest electric locomotive ever made

[@malachimuhammad-dy2ow]

GG1 4877 was New Jersey Transit's express engine. Providing express commuter service between Trenton, Bay Head, and New York.

[@kenwalke]

it makes me happy seeing this guy relive the days when these engines were in regular service. todays engines may be nice and shiny, but nothing beats a gg1

[@Trainboivr]

You will be missed gg1 you will forever be in my heart.

[@CNJGeep]

"I was very fortunate, having the privilege of working with the Ol' Masters. It's my hands, but it's the old timers doing the running. They're just using me, that's the way I like to think of it. They taught me everything I know about railroadin', like I said, they were the Old Masters."

[@rearspeaker6364]

well said!

[@brerrabbit9585]

I love that 'Star Wars' intro with locomotive that`s more Flash Gordon! I used to hang out at Newark Penn station just to watch them in the early 70`s in their Penn Central 'interlocking worms' logo. Awesome, you felt them coming before you saw the headlight.

[@dcrails11]

Dang man those GG1s are legends.

[@mitchdakelman4470]

The late Mike and Marienne Autorino did a fantastic job making this film, using 16mm as their format for the filming. Mike sold VHS copies and 16mm prints. I bought a 16mm print in 1985 when the film came out and remember driving up to Verona, NJ where the Autorino's lived. MIke's hobby was making railroad movies, but he was an industrial arts teacher at the Verona School District.

[@marcleslac2413]

I hope they restore one in our lives. That would be nuts.

[@MattAttack54]

This Video Chokes me up what a beautiful Engine long live the GG1.

[@coreywilliams4949]

As a fan of future looking locomotives (like the acs-64 or p42dc), it's good to see old classic locomotives running.

[@ronaldstokes4841]

I remember as a teen, standing at North Philadelphia Train Station as a GG-1 pulled RFK's Funeral Train thru Philly. They were at that time Penn Central trains #4901 and #4903, painted black... how ironic. Tragically, 2 people were killed that day as a GG-1 traveling in the opposite direction hit them.

[@jackhosier8498]

Happy 85th Anniversary, Big Red!

[@thestarlightalchemist7333]

It'll soon be 86th, and u know what that means: 86 = AE86 = *INITIAL D*

[@MrStark-up6fi]

@@thestarlightalchemist7333 **drifting GG1 intensifies** multi-track drifto!?!?!?

[@davidpar2]

A GG1 has been sitting in Altoona's rail yard downtown for decades. You can easily spot the pantograph rising above the other engines and cars around it

[@speedskiff2]

frame cracks in running gear were common but PCBs in transformers spelled the end for these engines. All on display have transformers removed. My grandfathers final run was on engine 4863 before retiring from PRR.

[@arifakyuz7673]

<a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="0">0:00</a> A long time ago, in a railroad far away

[@williampettengill5851]

I rode a train pulled by a GG1 - it ran out of Newark down Elizabeth, Linden, Rahway, ....back about 1976-1977

[@Flatbedkw]

Thanks for posting this. It brought back fond memories of my late stepfather who was a big fan of the GG1. I enjoyed watching it.

[@zac9399]

The star wars text crawl at the start is the best intro for the best train

[@renkn]

WOW!!!!! ( smiles) WOW!!!!!! Good memories of watching the S/A engine change as a kid and taking the last ride in 1983. Sad to see how 4877 looks today.

[@BRU11ROAD]

The GG1s are up there with the greats locomotives such as the Big Boy and British Greats such as the Flying Scotsman Deltics the Coronation and Class 40s and the Electric scots the Class87s

[@mitchdakelman4470]

I purchased a 16mm color sound print from Mike Autorino, along with his wife, Marianne who helped him make the film. I purchased the film in 1984 and is always a popular film when it is shown in its original format.

[@TestTubeBabySpy]

Surprisingly it was not mentioned one time that General Electric built these. I had to look it up because electric locomotives are not my area. but the specs are impressive for 30's technology.

[@towringer]

Ol' Big Red--Speeding up & down the line. Ol' Big Red--Gets her people there on time. She's a mighty GG1--my favorite, you see. Her 50 years of service won a place in history. Love that song.

[@72867morgan]

Rip Cliff Underwood and rip ol big red 4677 they don’t run engines like this anymore

[@GreenbeanProductions]

well it isn’t technically dead for 4877 (not 4677) because in the 1990’s it was on display in hoboken terminal but it was vandalized in 1995 i believe and was on a side track in the yard there and then moved it on a sidding rusting away. but then it was saved and was repaint and referbished into a brand new locomotive and on display at botton,new jersey

[@StocktonSubber]

@@GreenbeanProductions It has lost it’s Tuscan red color, but it was indeed preserved in Boonton, NJ.

[@GreenbeanProductions]

@@StocktonSubber I know I said repainted and I’ve actually seen 4877 at Booton this year apparently the place was closed but still saw the GG1 on the siding

[@cats0182]

It is unfortunate that the original fleet couldn't have been updated and upgraded and saved from destruction. It's also unfortunate that the original plans and specs couldn't have been used to produce a new family of the GG-1's. The original ones were designed and built by the PA Railroad (with help from Raymond Loewy). Today's NEC fleet is foreign design, foreign components, assembled at a US plant to offer a "sop" to the US. The whole thing is just sad.

[@tacoblend3246]

Actually that's not a bad idea. However there are many problems with doing this because of new restrictions and requirements for the NEC today. There's a few forum posts describing why not.

[@WhiteCamry]

And with Donald Roscoe Dohner's help as well.

[@amarctrain9657]

These locomotives had a great record. If i remember correctly it only has one incident in is lifetime when the brakes on a train failed when approaching Washington DC's Union Station. The locomotive went through half of the station and fell into the basement. That locomotive was restored and sent to the B&O RR Museum. Unfortunately, it has been worn down due to sitting out in the elements and has been victim of vandals

[@glenatkinson1230]

That is true. Don't remember number, but after wreck it was dismantled on site and reassembled at Wilmington if I'm not mistaken. In my opinion it is the BEST looking locomotive ever. I'm also a fan of the British Rail Deltic, a diesel that was retired in 1981. Nothing beat the longevity of the GGI except for the CN box cab electrics in Montreal that finally retired in 1995.

[@b3j8]

Yeah that wreck was quite a pileup! But amazingly nobody was killed!

[@upurnose46]

Look up the 1943 Frankford Junction train wreck. the accident wasnt caused by the GG1 but it was the pulling locomotive

[@ericschminke8233]

I swear about 80% of the train stations in the U.S. are named "Union Station". C'mon show some creativity.

[@tibbers3755]

@@ericschminke8233 The name Union station usually indicated that it was a terminal where multiple railroad companies met. They typically have other names that go with them but these days theyre always refered to as {town name} Union Station, such as Washington union station. Most towns these days only have one terminal, so just naming towns is more or less the way to go, but some still their old names, mostly based on neighborhoods or the streets theyre on.

[@leemspoor]

i never heard of this type of train but i flet in love with it now what a nice locomotive

[@curtesamoangelos5995]

Watching from Yosemite Kentucky. Great video and history of RR.

[@soundseeker63]

Amazing looking machine! love that "pop" sound the ammeter makes too.

[@SergeyMoiseyev77]

Thank you for the video. Very interesting.

[@dbdrdbag]

A truly AWESOME engine!

[@xDieselv]

Would be great if the gg1 can run again

[@AppalachiaRRlover]

I think Siemens should have made their new engines look like GG1s

[@TheLivingFlame1]

Agree

[@chrish3329]

definitely

[@nicopavvi8494]

With amfleet? If there were streamlined cars like the 50s ones...

[@MrStark-up6fi]

The Crocodile is the european version of the GG1

[@MrStark-up6fi]

@Bill the Welding Sloth same

[@MyDiesel101]

Amazing!! The most versatile locomotive ever built. Thank You!

[@RayTutajjr]

I was always fascinated by the GG1's. My friend, Harv Kahn, turned me on to them. He passed away in 2004 but left me his slide collection to be caretaker and publisher of. I have finally assembled his GG1 images and put them in an e-book of 149 images. If you are interested at seeing a very unique look at these gg1s, check out "GG1 Images, 1975-1980 by Harv Kahn on Amazon. The thing that impressed me about Harv's GG1 images was his ability to capture the raw essence of the GG1 action in a variety of settings. He's got the no. 4800 in several paint schemes, including the Bi-Centennial, he's got the swapping action at South Amboy, action in Waverly Yard, Sunnyside, at Elizabeth, views inside the Wilmington shops and much more. If you are an avid fan of Gg1s you will like it.

[@tacoblend3246]

If they are high quality images then a great home would be www.railroadpictures.net. That way railfans can see them all very easily.

[@jeffreyrule8143]

Thanks for sharing.

[@RODALCO2007]

What an awesome machines the GG1's were.

[@malachimuhammad-dy2ow]

I think GG1 4877 was New Jersey Transit's express engine. Providing express commuter service Trenton, Bay Head, and New York.

[@philt1771]

The coolest looking locomotive ever built bar none!

[@Salmagundiii]

I've watched this several times. Great documentary. I sure hope the 16mm master print of this is preserved, and/or the camera negatives.

[@ERIELACKU34CH]

it's the ammeter, and when it jumps the locomotive is transitioning, from parallel to series circuit

[@Nacho66]

PCB's used in the internal cooling of the traction motors are what killed the GG1. They couldn't be brought back without it. Unfortunately, freight traction pretty much died in the US around the time the G's were retired - Amtrak owning the NE Corridor and wanting Conrail freight off of it was the final nail. When I was a kid fast freight trains were the norm on the NE Corridor. Not now. Conrail was ready to invest in new electric motors in '83-'84 but Amtrak said NO to the Corridor.

[@TheMann2000]

@RailfanDaniel There is a good reason why GG1s haven't been restored, two of them actually. Problem #1 is the asbestos used in many portions of insulation and electrical components, and problem #2 is that the locomotives use PCBs as dialectics. Both of these materials are major health hazards which make restoring one of these engines very, very difficult and expensive.

[@Dieselfueledwork]

Would be cheaper to build a new one.

[@Coloribus2004]

The GG1’s are too iconic to remain on static display for the rest of their lives. A few need to Be made operational again

[@sooline3854]

I have an HO model of a GG1, even though I model Wisconsin! My story is that she was equipped with equipment that would allow her to take power from a generator in a car behind her. I always run her with a modified boxcar behind her. Although, I like the idea of saying she has a small reactor in her, too!

[@StephenCarlBaldwin]

Love this tribute to 4877 and I never knew that 4877 had a song written about her. Thanks for posting this -- enjoyed it.

[@iblskeith]

They used the older cars because they had steam heat and were not head end power equipped. The GG-1s and E-8s on NJT had Vapor Co. steam generators.

[@stevegek]

Love the GG1. Cheers from the Netherlands!

[@alcopower5710]

Outstanding video 👍

[@Willysmb44]

Wow, thanks for posting this, I wasn't aware they'd had one painted for the PRR that late...

[@Bqrufz1]

cool. i honestly didnt know that. thank you for the information.

[@1991Shablya]

Thank you for a very interesting video!

[@Stanley-Rocklin]

I have a GG-1 memorial license plate on the front of my Toyota Tundra pickup. Stan Rocklin, Mesa, AZ (I rode the PRR Trail Blazer as a child from Harrisburg, PA to Chicago & back every summer in the 40s & 50s)....

[@towringer]

At <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="348">5:48</a>. When she pulls out of the station & starts her daily run Old 4877-She glistens in the sun. Her bell-it rings, her drivers roll, she gently starts to sway. Just give Ol' Red the throtttle-She'll rip down the right of way.

[@willberestartingthischanne9984]

5:48

[@christopherlucy1772]

Fantastic locomotives..I saw them &rode behind one once..

[@Modeltnick]

GG-1 used to pull the Silver Meteor out of Philadelphia southbound when I was a kid! Used to ride it to Florida.

[@user-nj7cj1zz8j]

日本から見ています。ダイナミックでスゴいですね。

[@Bqrufz1]

thanks for putting me in my place ireally need to be more considerate and respectful. i had the oppurtunity to take a ride on european trains back in 98 and was was amazed at how easy the travel was to get anywhere and cheap! for about 60 us dollars per person you could go just about anywhere you wanted using a railpass. i really wish we could have something similar here but with the local state and federal government controlling trains i just dont see it happening but im still optimistic.

[@johncrawford4754]

They are always updating older designs and building new locos, thinking outside the box, why not design and build totally new GG1 type locos using the old fellows as a map? Not rebuild the old ones, build new ones from the ground up using current technology and better materials. Make them look close like the old ones so they could be aerodynamic and classy, but not exactly like the old guys. Obviously they would be called something else (GG1 - 7? LOL!), but yes! A challenge for sure . . . .

[@eles2147]

Imagine a rehash of big red 4877, replete with cleaner, eco-friendly transformers; no more PCBs. Cruising the NEC at 90mph. That's what this country should get back into doing!!!

[@chrishowell4845]

You would think with the modern technology available, a brand new GG1 could be built using better, stronger materials, NO PCB`S, and more environmentally friendly!

[@colinroxanduknowit]

man, i wish i could've been around "back in the day" all the streamliners, the variety with trains (sighs... I can only imagine what it was like to ride behind one or watch one go by..) Oh well, I guess we should be lucky that they run a few of them still (UP 844 & 3985, SP 4449, UP 6939, e.c.t.

[@LupusAries]

The DB (german Railroads) is profitable right now, but it's not a sustainable profitable, since the profitability is achieved by keeping the wages too low, which leads to problems in getting engineers. The DB is also badly scrimping on maintenance of rolling stock and track works, while they waste money on prestige projects like stuttgart 21. The price of that station has risen from 2.4 billion to 6.3 billion Euros in the last ten years, and nothing is built yet.

[@nielspemberton59]

Hans Zimmer's wonderful composition TIme and Vangelis 's compostion Creation du Monde and Jean Michel Jerre's composition Equinoxe 1, Equinoxe 3 and Equinoxe 4 along with the "Big Red" song would have been perfect music for this series.

[@HOTRAILProductions]

The tuscan red PRR coach behind the GG1 is actually owned by a local railroad club who put it behind "Big Red" for several trips in 1983.

[@DrZozo105]

Brilliant!

[@LupusAries]

BTW what I missed to say, is how much I appreciate what you said, it's doesn't happen to often. it takes some courage, to back down on youtube. Chapeau! (I take my hat off to that!)

[@Transportationfan1421]

The song is stuck in my head

[@coldwar1952]

I'm recall sourcing and repairing the large gas tube rectifiers used in the internal switch gear is what effectively ended the practical service of these locomotives, and for that matter also super high power radio stations which used similar aging gas rectifier designs at about the same time. Of course today solid state rectifier designs and switching large enough for this job are feasable, but very little solid state in this scope of power was even on the horizon at that date.

[@rictoshima]

thanks a lot!!! :D

[@ferdinandvonnielsen483]

LONG LIVE GG-1

[@oriontheraptor8119]

I remember when I was little (back in 2005 going to a older not yet rebuilt station and seeing a old partly cut up poster of this loco and I even saw one sitting in a siding but it was cut up mostly and only part of it was in one piece

[@slanderoushalo]

In addition they use a VERY different voltage from standard high voltage lines. Different frequency, too, I think.

[@rearspeaker6364]

11,000 volts 25 hertz. signal system feeder voltage is different too 6,600 volts, 100 hertz.

[@marcleslac2413]

GG1 is the gigachad of electric locomtives!

[@southernpennsyrailfan8579]

I hope they plan to restore one to fully functioning condition. I want to see one run again sometime on my life

[@catlover2368]

restore this engine next

[@mylesspear]

catlover 2345 I would too! But apparently thy built it with asbestos so extensive work would have to be done. Plus there are only certain places to run them.

[@mitchdakelman4470]

GG1 4877 is cosmetically restored in its original 1939 Brunswick Green appearance. It is stored at the URHS Boonton NJ work site and URHS holds an annual open house, last day in September

[@Bqrufz1]

thank you and your welcome

[@KevlarVTX]

My dad has a Lionel model GG-1. It's the coolest of the bunch, but a little touchy in the turns :p

[@generationll]

The GG1 is celebrating it 75th Anniversary this year.

[@Redlod79]

There's one or two GG1's in Cooperstown Junction , NY

[@travelsonic]

The Leslie A200 horns - same brand used on the Gs - sound great even to this day.

[@ArnavKhode]

Imagine going back to this time

[@HOTRAILProductions]

Believe it or not, things were still rather primitive in passenger railroading back in the early 1980's. NJT was a rolling museum with coaches from various railroads, most of which were steam-heated, (I see no power car behind the GG1), as well as 1920's M.U.'s and E-units. Even here in Chicagoland, we had E and F-units in commuter service, as well as South Shore MU's until 1983.

[@stratocat9999]

I would think a suitable substitute could be found. After all, we replaced Freon with a less toxic chemical that is 20 times more efficient. I'm a west coast boy, but always loved the look of the GG1. There is a great video floating around ( don't remember the title) that covers the conception and evolution of the GG1. Great video if you can find it. I saw it on RFD-TV.

[@arrowguy173]

Great shot at <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="124">2:04</a>. Nice vid! Grew up near the museum in Elkhart IN that is home to 4882. Always wanted to see one in motion.

[@jsunflyguy]

Wonder how they get that head on shot in the last seconds, must be a tight zoom on a curve.

[@RailfanDaniel]

Never forget the GG1! They should restore at least two of these for special runs like SP 4449. It would be great to see them run again! One in Brunswick Green, and one in Tuscan Red. I can't believe the American Government is following the direction of European trains now.

[@LupusAries]

The taurus is a locomotive built in cooperation with the Austrians, it's a mountain engine that can go up to 230 km/h and has around 9000 hp. It was designed to be used in the mountainous terrain of Austria, Swtzerland and southern germany, and is now used in the nothern german flatlands. The intented use was for border-crossing fast passenger and freight trains, and due to the modifications they lost the border-crossing-capability. the sheer stupidity!

[@richhood9934]

I love this documentary, and the GG-1s. The opening song was good, to. Does anyone know of any other songs or videos made about the GG-1?

[@mikkyocampo9995]

Could they restore this American gem for use in modern day rails

[@LupusAries]

The majority of the regional rolling stock is overaged, that problem is excerbated due to the end of the Inter-Regio medium range trains. they are run with the regional rolling stock, on medium-haul trains most of those are clapped-out waggons from the sixties. The Long-Haul trains are of decent quality, but only that branch is getting new stock. They use the Taurus, a great intercity- and freight train locomotive, with border-crossing capability, for commuter trains around berlin.

[@TheAbderaman]

this locomotive is electric while its art deco aesthetic is like a steam locomotive

[@smwca123]

"Then Central, then Conrail, and Jersey Transit, too" Wouldn't that be Penn Central?

[@tyrese3745]

She said "Penn Central, then Conrail, New Jersey Transit too".

[@TAMR213]

I would love to see a GG1 running again, but there is a good reason why we haven't: its cost-prohibitive. Have also heard that by now there are problems with the frames. I doubt there is a RR Historical Society in the US with the finances to clean up the PCB's, install new transformers, and fix the frames. We're talking about a boatload of cash.

[@coreywilliams7445]

9000HP? That has gotta be the Most powerful electric locomotive in America, even more powerful then the acs-64.

[@mikepericolosi9386]

+Corey Williams you are correct. my grandfather is an expert on trains, he says it is more powerful than the ACS

[@coreywilliams7445]

+Mike Pericolosi Yeah. I thought the acs-64 was the most powerful electric locomotive in the NEC, but the gg1 takes the cake.

[@GintaPPE1000]

+Corey Williams Continuous maximum power output of the GG1 was 4620hp. In short-term it could be boosted to 9000. ACS-64's continuous horsepower is 6700, surge is 8600.

[@coreywilliams7445]

+GintaPPE1000 What about the energy consumption of the GG1? We all know the ACS-64 is more energy efficient then the GG1.

[@GintaPPE1000]

Corey Williams Doubtlessly. The main changes between technology of the past and the present is its efficiency, not so much the raw numbers.