Pennsylvania Railroad GE GG1 Electric #4919
Manufacturer: Pennsylvania Railroad Altoona Works, 1942
Length: 79 feet 6 inches
Height: 15 feet
Width: 10 feet 4 inches
Weight: 475,000 pounds
Horsepower: 4,620
Tractive effort: 70,700 pounds (lbs.)
Wheel arrangement: 2-C-C-2
Top speeds: Passenger: 100-110 mph; Freight: 90 mph
The Pennsylvania Railroad (PRR) GE GG1 electric locomotive is noted for its exterior designed by Raymond Loewy, the famous industrial designer. Each of the 139 GG1s that were produced during the years 1934-1943 were delivered exclusively to PRR.
GG1s are painted in PRR's trademark Brunswick reen with PRR standard Clarendon lettering. Prior to 1942, the lettering was done in the Futura style.
Designed to operate in either direction, the GG1 was mainly used to pull passenger trains. It handed all main line passenger service between New York City, New York; Washington, DC; and Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, in electrified zones. Electric current was collected from overhead wires and transmitted through the pantographs located atop both ends of the locomotive.
The original number, 4919, was changed to 4917 when it was transferred to Amtrak. A general renumbering of these locomotives in June 1973 changed it to 4934,
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The GG1 as the longest operating class of locomotives on front line service in the world, including steam and diesel. They also remained the fastest U.S. cable-supplied electric locomotives until 1969 when Amtrak's Metroliner was introduced. This locomotive ran almost 5.5 million miles before it was retired on February 1, 1981.
Erected by Virginia Museum of Transportation, Inc.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Railroads & Streetcars. In addition, it is included in the Pennsylvania Railroad (PRR) series list. A significant historical date for this entry is February 1, 1981.
Location. 37° 16.394′ N, 79° 56.748′ W. Marker is in Roanoke, Virginia. It is in Downtown. Marker can be reached from the intersection of Norfolk Avenue Southwest and 3rd Street Southwest, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 303 Norfolk Ave SW, Roanoke VA 24016, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. 1952 Squad Wagon (a few steps from this marker); Norfolk & Western Safety Instruction Car #418 (a few steps from this marker); Norfolk & Western Class G1 #6 (a few steps from this marker); Graham-White Manufacturing Company (a few steps from this marker); Locomotive Parking Brakes
Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 29, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 294 times since then and 46 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 29, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
