Next time you are in the Harrisburg Transportation Center take a look at 4859. She was recently powerwashed. The soapstone grid marks on her sides are gone and the pigeon droppings have been removed from her roof. The trucks, steps, and pilots have been painted and her windows have been washed inside and out. All this courtesy of Amtrak who allowed us access and a bunch of us old retired guys from her new owner, Harrisburg Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society. We had a rare opportunity for safe access on all sides due to the work on the train shed which temporarily shut down adjacent trackage and catenary. Merry Christmas!

Is the plan to keep her where she is or will she have to be moved at some point?

When I was a youngster my grandfather, who worked for the PRR, would take me to work with him in Harrisburg. I always thought the GG1s where neat and I learned the timeable to know when they would arrive from the Philly side. Fond Memories!
Bill

good to hear. have any pics?

My Mom's Birthday is Christmas Eve. She still recalls her father (PRR man) telling her about the new era being ushered in when he took her to ride on the first GG1 electric powered train.

It is hard to believe that the GG1 era ended 25-odd years ago.

I took photos of three GG1s in Wilmington just after the last runs. The one had a chalked message on the side - "The Queen is dead. Long live the Queen."
Has there been a new Queen to replace the GG1?

Doug vV
Atlanta GA

I have a special section of the Harrisburg Evening News dated January 29, 1938 celebrating the arrival of the first electric powered train's arrival in Harrisburg on January 15th. It includes pictures of 4843, 4859, 4862, 4863, and one other whose number can't be seen.

It also has a picture of K4s 3743, 3885,6915,3727, and one other whose number I can't make out.

Its quite an interesting read. I wonder if the newspaper's archives have it.

Bill

I can't believe I lived next to the ex Pennsy mainline in Landisville, PA in the mid 1970s and didn't take a single photo of the GG1s passing by our yard :(

Great job. Thanks for all of your hard work.

We expect the 4859 will be able to stay on Track 5 for the foreseeable future (read years). If and when the Corridor One commuter project comes to fruition, the plan currently is for Track 5 to be re-activated. We will have to cross that bridge if it comes but the planners are aware of the historical significance of the locomotive and hopefully will make allowances for it in the design. Corridor One is not a good candidate for funding right now as it would duplicate current Keystone Service since the county commission on the West Shore where rail service doesn't currently exist is adamantly opposed to extending Corridor One to Carlisle. I did not take any pix, too busy working. A few guys did. If I get any I will ask to share.