Electric locomotive  GG1

These fabulous straight electric locomotives G.G. 1 of the Pennsylvania R.R. built between 1934 and 1943, they are amongst the most powerful  means of transport built in the world. The bodywork was designed by the well known designer Raymond Loewy, the construction of the electrical part was given to General Electric and Westinghouse. The mechanical part of the construction was  in the hands of the Baldwin Locomotive Works and its subsidiary firm  the General Steel Casting Corporation. Final assembly was done by General Electric  in the case of the first units, but for the remainder  assembly was  done by the Altoona Co..

 

Pennsylvania RR 4929 - Red "Tuscan"

These fabulous straight electric locomotives G.G. 1 of the Pennsylvania R.R. built between 1934 and 1943, they are amongst the most powerful  means of transport built in the world. The bodywork was designed by the well known designer Raymond Loewy, the construction of the electrical part was given to General Electric and Westinghouse. The mechanical part of the construction was  in the hands of the Baldwin Locomotive Works and its subsidiary firm  the General Steel Casting Corporation. Final assembly was done by General Electric  in the case of the first units, but for the remainder  assembly was  done by the Altoona Co..

Fully functioning front headlamps, and working pantographs.

Thanks to a particular system of joints, even though of impressive length, this model could tackle curves of 80cm in diameter.

Length cm. 30.

 

Commemorative "American Railroads"

In the springtime of 1969, the High Iron Company (a travel agency specialised in rail journeys for railway enthusiasts)  offered a special rail journey from New York to  Promontory Point in Utah, for commemorating the centenary of the joining of the two railroads., thus travelling across all the US territory, linking the west coast federation with the east coast, One hundred years previously at Promontory Point, the event has been celebrated, by hammering a golden nail, to symbolically link the two railroads. A hundred years on… a similar ceremony was to be organised, thus a special train , named the  “Golden Spike”. The train leaving from NY for Kansas City hauled  by a Steam train 2-8-4 n. 759 re painted for the occasion in black and blue, with the logo “American Railroads” in gold.

The return journey the steam locomotive handed over the task to the modern GG1 n. 4092 which the Penn Central repainted for the occasion , using the design of the artist  Robert Lorenz of Fremont in Ohio.

After its initial debut with the « Centennial  Special", this  G.G.1 n.4902 continued normal duties on the New York-Washington line.

 

Pennsylvania RR 4929  - Brunswick green

Same Locomotive as above the 1664 but in dark green 1664.

 

 

Pennsylvania RR 4866  - Silver "Congressional" or "Senator"

I don’t have specific info on the actual reason for this particular livery introduced in 1955 by the Pennsylvania Rail Road Co on three of its GG1, the Silver colouring with a red line, and a big logo in shadowed black. Maybe, but this is only a guess, this was an effort to brighten up the loco. The model reproduced the prototype 4866, in its original colours.

 

Amtrak 902 - Red and Silver

Electric Locomotive 4-6-6-4 type G.G. 1  in new livery. Amtrak it is the same unit nr 4902 which was used by the « Golden Spike Centennial Limited » in the colours gold and blue (see art. 1502-5160F). Recently it has been repainted with the colours of “Amtrak”  Silver, red, and blue, and re numbered with  nr 902. 

Amtrak is the denomination used for the company that runs passenger service running on different lines belonging to different companies, buying in many cases Loco and carriages from them.

 

 

Amtrak 929 - Black

 

Penn Central 4892

 

Pennsylvania 4879 (one stripe)

 

 

Limited series

Commemorative - Spirit of '76

Product in 3000 pieces

 

Conrail 4800 - Commemorative 1776-1976

Product in .... pieces

 

Pennsylvania RR 4935 - Black Jack

Product in 2700 pieces

 

With an elegant wooden box

 

Savings Bonds 921

Product in 1050 pieces

 

 

A big model, which I like very much, and as stated in the catalogue, it can tackle curves (even of 64cm!!) at ease.

Produced by Rivarossi from 1969 till 1979

 

The GG1 was used exclusively by the Pennsylvania RR  and later companies that took over, amongst the few companies in America that had electrified railway lines.

In the liveries: Pennsylvania RR (red, green and silver), American Railroads, Amtrak (red/silver,  blak),  Penn Central,   Spirit of '76,   Conrail commemorative,    Pennsylvania "Black Jack",   "US Saving Bonds"

 

code year description (in italian)
   
5160/02 1969 Locomotiva elettrica GG1 4929 Pennsylvania rossa
5160C 1969 Locomotiva elettrica GG1 4935 Pennsylvania verde
1664 1969 Locomotiva elettrica GG1 Pennsylvania rossa
5163 1972 Locomotiva elettrica GG1 4902 American Railroads
5161 1972 Locomotiva elettrica GG1 4929 Pennsylvania verde
5162 1973 Locomotiva elettrica GG1 902 Amtrak
5160H 1974 Locomotiva elettrica GG1 4866 Pennsylvania "Silver"
5161/B 1976 Locomotiva elettrica GG1 1776 "Spirit of '76" edizione numerata
1504 1976 Locomotiva elettrica GG1 4866 Pennsylvania "Silver"
5160/08 1976 Locomotiva elettrica GG1 4866 Pennsylvania "Silver"
1505 1976 Locomotiva elettrica GG1 4892 Penn Central
5160/10 1976 Locomotiva elettrica GG1 4892 Penn Central
1506 1976 Locomotiva elettrica GG1 929 Amtrak nero
5160/11 1976 Locomotiva elettrica GG1 929 Amtrak nero
5161/C 1977 Locomotiva elettrica GG1 4800 Conrail commemorativo edizione numerata
5161/D 1977 Locomotiva elettrica GG1 4935 "Black Jack" Pennsylvania commemorativo verde scuro lucido edizione numerata
1502 1977 Locomotiva elettrica GG1 4902 American Railroads
5160/06 1977 Locomotiva elettrica GG1 4902 American Railroads
5160F 1977 Locomotiva elettrica GG1 4902 American: Railroads
1500 1977 Locomotiva elettrica GG1 4929 Pennsylvania verde
5160/03 1977 Locomotiva elettrica GG1 4929 Pennsylvania verde
1503 1977 Locomotiva elettrica GG1 902 Amtrak
5160D 1977 Locomotiva elettrica GG1 902 Amtrak
5160/04 1977 Locomotiva elettrica GG1 902 Amtrak
5161/05 1978 Locomotiva elettrica GG1 921 "US Saving Bonds" edizione numerata
1511 1979 Locomotiva elettrica GG1 4879 Pennsylvania
5160/12 1979 Locomotiva elettrica GG1 4879 Pennsylvania verde scuro

 

Some Youtube videos with GG1