GG-1 & Other Electrics

G. W. Laepple · **Joined:** Mon Aug 23, 2004 5:10 pm **Posts:** 1182

As information, I have it on good authority that when 4800 was remediate of PCBs several years ago, the final cost was over $500,000. Of course, that was to satisfy attorneys representing the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, which required zero parts per million. Still.......

joe6167 · **Posted:** Wed May 05, 2021 2:10 pm

For context how many other iconic electric locomotives are being operated in preservation?

70000 · **Posted:** Wed May 05, 2021 2:49 pm

joe6167 wrote:

For context how many other iconic electric locomotives are being operated in preservation?

Well, in the UK this 1980's built Class 89 is preserved and it is now on its way back to mainline use......

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cMBiCT8SF4o&t=4s

...and this 1966 built Class 86 has been running as a privately preserved example for a good 10 years now, mainly in conjunction with steam tours in NW England as it is used on the runs from London up to where the steam takes over...

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There are quite a variety of preserved electrics in Switzerland & Germany dating back to the 1920's which are used on special trains, and some even get used on freight services, as seen in this photo I took in 2013 of a WW2 built example near Duisburg...

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Plus, this former BR 1500 Volt DC electric loco, which was sold to Netherlands State Railways in the late 1960's is preserved in Holland and has done trips on the mainline in the past (1996 in this photo)..

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mcgrath618 · **Joined:** Mon Feb 15, 2021 6:54 pm **Posts:** 231

G. W. Laepple wrote:

As information, I have it on good authority that when 4800 was remediate of PCBs several years ago, the final cost was over $500,000. Of course, that was to satisfy attorneys representing the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, which required zero parts per million. Still.......

All of the SEPTA AEM-7s are still operable. They might be worthwhile candidates.

Ed Kapuscinski · **Posted:** Wed May 05, 2021 4:29 pm

If you really want to see a GG1 run, why not just build a GG1 shaped fiberglass shell to fit over a flat car or something?

Add in a model railroad DCC sound decoder and a big sound system and you'll be in business!

Easy peasy.

Rick Rowlands · **Posted:** Wed May 05, 2021 7:49 pm

Ed Kapuscinski wrote:

If you really want to see a GG1 run, why not just build a GG1 shaped fiberglass shell to fit over a flat car or something?

Its already been done! :)

https://i.redd.it/ekwtx9nvbxn21.jpg

PMC · **Joined:** Sat Oct 17, 2015 5:55 pm **Posts:** 2877

mcgrath618 wrote:

G. W. Laepple wrote:

As information, I have it on good authority that when 4800 was remediate of PCBs several years ago, the final cost was over $500,000. Of course, that was to satisfy attorneys representing the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, which required zero parts per million. Still.......

All of the SEPTA AEM-7s are still operable. They might be worthwhile candidates.

New Jersey Transit stored all their ALP-44s (their version of an AEM-7) at Port Morris Jct. on the newly-reinstalled (but still unused) Lackawanna Cutoff in 2017, I believe they are still there, though vandals have had a go at them obviously.

filmteknik · **Posted:** Wed May 05, 2021 9:28 pm

Why were there PCBs on 4800? Didn't the prototype have an air blast transformer? Only thing I can think of might be an oil-filled breaker.

joe6167 · **Posted:** Wed May 05, 2021 9:37 pm

joe6167 wrote:

For context how many other iconic electric locomotives are being operated in preservation?

I meant in the United States.

Alexander D. Mitchell IV · **Posted:** Thu May 06, 2021 1:57 am

joe6167 wrote:

For context how many other iconic electric locomotives are being operated in preservation?

I meant in the United States.

Shouldn't matter, should it?

Is electricity fundamentally different overseas?

joe6167 · **Posted:** Thu May 06, 2021 7:49 am

Alexander D. Mitchell IV wrote:

joe6167 wrote:

For context how many other iconic electric locomotives are being operated in preservation?

I meant in the United States.

Shouldn't matter, should it?

Is electricity fundamentally different overseas?

Umm... are we talking about restoring a GG1 in Switzerland?

I was just curious to know how many iconic electric engines are operating in the United States.

Is that a problem for you?

Ed Kapuscinski · **Posted:** Thu May 06, 2021 10:18 am

Rick Rowlands wrote:

Ed Kapuscinski wrote:

If you really want to see a GG1 run, why not just build a GG1 shaped fiberglass shell to fit over a flat car or something?

Its already been done! :)

https://i.redd.it/ekwtx9nvbxn21.jpg

Perfect!

Time to start the fundraising. I wonder if we can get corporate sponsors to chip in if we paint it up with their corporate logos and colors! MEGA PRESERVATION TIME!

EJ Berry · **Posted:** Thu May 06, 2021 4:04 pm

Switzerland? Hmmm. The 25 Hz motors might just run on SBB 16 2/3 Hz power. Any 50 Hz line is out. A GG1 will need a new transformer anyway and the 50000 pound axle load looks good for main line service. The loading gauge is a bit iffy, though. Might need clearance for specific routes.

Phil Mulligan

PMC · **Joined:** Sat Oct 17, 2015 5:55 pm **Posts:** 2877

joe6167 wrote:

Alexander D. Mitchell IV wrote:

Shouldn't matter, should it?

Is electricity fundamentally different overseas?

Umm... are we talking about restoring a GG1 in Switzerland?

I was just curious to know how many iconic electric engines are operating in the United States.

Is that a problem for you?

Why the attitude? I know many of us here in the US tend to believe that England has some secret magic that allows them to have nice things that we can't have, and is impossible for us to replicate, but we can still learn from them, and Europe too. For instance, PCBs were sold over there, too, and no doubt found their way into railway applications. How have they dealt with them, and replacing the parts that contained them?

joe6167 · **Posted:** Thu May 06, 2021 7:20 pm

I just wanted to know how many iconic electric engines are operating in the US. Is it taboo to ask that? I thought it was a pretty straightforward question.

Do any of you actually know?