Cosmetically restored by the local NRHS Chapter. Shown here in 2000, how's it doing today?http://naphotos.nerail.org/showpic/?photo=200508312251454027.jpg&bydate%3A26

4859 was the first GG-1 to operate on the Harrisburg Extension in 1938, and one of the very last GG1's in Conrail service circa 1980. This one needs to be taken care of.

If I recall the story correctly, the 4859 had gone from Conrail to Naparano, and others from Amtrak could have been bought from Amtrak for a mere $5000. Naparano wanted much more and would not trade straight across for one of the Amtrak units, so the Harrisburg group had to dig deep to make up the difference in price.

Doesn't she look beautiful in that appropriate setting? I would love to see the on rotting outside of Baltimore restored and placed in Washington Union Station, in the same exact manner.

As I recall (Dan Cupper, care to correct me?), the Harrisburg NRHS did indeed acquire an Amtrak GG1 and trade it to Naporano for the 4859, but Naporano still demanded several thousand dollars in addition.Meanwhile, I suggest that you get that hopeless fantasy of 4876 being preserved in Washington Union Terminal out of your head. Ain't never gonna happen. You would have a big enough challenge just getting them to preserve ANY GG1 in that fashion; getting them to preserve one that smashed through the station, no matter if no lives were lost, is just NOT going to happen as long as it's a rail station. End of discussion.

Alex the IVth, history is history, and I would never rule it out. It's amn amazing story, and to have the star player in hte house would truly be an attraction. End of story.

I was in Harrisburg about two weeks ago and noticed that the GG1 was 'sectioned' off with lines drawn all over the unit in a grid-like pattern. If it had been a boiler, I'd have thought they were going to ultrasound it... or if it had been a steer, that they were planning on carving steaks and roasts. What is in the works? Nick

As I understand from various reports, the motor is being examined for possible PCB contamination. The Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania's 4800 was found to have such contamination and was subsquently stripped (via sandblast?) and repainted. It appears that this will be discussed at the ARM conference that will be held at the RMPA in October.http://www.rrmuseumpa.org/visitors/arm/Tom Cornillie - - - * For Immediate Release: June 23, 2004 * Pa. Historical and Museum Commission Settle PCB Violations - Railroad Museum to Complete EPA-Approved CleanupBonnie Smith, 215-814-5543PHILADELPHIA – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has announced that the state commission that runs the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania in Strasburg, Pa., has settled a case involving leaks of polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) fluid from a historic locomotive at the museum.In a consent agreement with EPA, the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission has agreed to pay a $28,836 penalty to settle alleged violations of federal regulations on the storage and disposal of PCBs and PCB-containing equipment. The commission has committed to cleanup and dispose of PCBs and PCB-containing equipment at the museum.PCBs, a probable human carcinogen, were once widely used as a nonflammable coolant for transformers and other electrical equipment. In 1976, Congress enacted the Toxic Substances Control Act, which strictly regulated the manufacture, use and disposal of PCBs. For information on the health effects, regulations, and cleanup of PCBs, visithttp://www.epa.gov/opptintr/pcb/.On March 14, 2002, Pennsylvania officials notified EPA about the discovery of PCB transformers on four locomotives at the museum, and a leak of PCB fluid from one such transformer. Museum officials also informed EPA of PCB-contaminated soil at the museum.In consultation with EPA, the commission developed a plan for the cleanup of the PCB leak, the soil contamination, and the disposal of PCB-containing transformers at the museum. Under this plan, which EPA approved on September 15, 2003, the commission developed specifications for PCB cleanup and transformer disposal, and has remediated the PCB-contaminated soil. Soil and transformer removal and disposal have been completed. The remaining portions of the cleanup are scheduled to be completed by September 2005.As part of the settlement of this matter, the commission has neither admitted nor denied liability for the alleged violations. EPA will continue to work with the Pennsylvania officials until the completion of the cleanup.http://yosemite.epa.gov/r3/press.nsf/0/6f0ebb12d7403e5b85256ebc006be63c?OpenDocument