PRR 4935

The Pennsylvania Railroad GG1 #4935 is a preserved electric locomotive.

History

Main article: PRR GG1

The Pennsylvania Railroad GG1 #4935 was built to haul passenger trains over the high iron at high speed. For years, this powerful electric locomotive handled passenger trains for the Pennsylvania Railroad over the Northeast Corridor and the Keystone Corridor. In 1968, when the Pennsylvania Railroad merged with the New York Central Railroad to form the Penn Central Transportation Company, the 4935 and most of its sisters continued in passenger train service, while some had been in their earlier years regeared for freight duties. In 1971, the National Passenger Rail Corporation (better known as Amtrak.) was created by the federal government to take over the job of the nation's passenger rail operations.

Return to PRR Paint

In the early '80s as the GG1 was winding down in its service years, Amtrak decided to repaint one of the GG1s into former Pennsylvania Railroad livery. The engine they chose was the 4935, and it was taken to the Wilmington Shops in Wilmington, Delaware and was repainted into PRR livery. It would wear dark brunswick green with five golden stripes until its retirement.

Retirement

In 1983, the 4935 was retired and taken to the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania in Strasburg, Pennsylvania. At the museum it joined former Pennsylvania Railroad GG1 #4800 (the original and prototype GG1 electric). Today the GG1 is inside and kept from the elements. Often it is called the "Best Kept GG1" because it is still in Dark Brunswick Green and five stripes. (The same livery Amtrak repainted her into.) Some also say she is the best GG1 due for a restoration to operating condition.