Pennsylvania Railroad 4859 facts for kids

The Pennsylvania Railroad 4859 is a special electric train engine. It's a GG1-class locomotive. You can find it in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, at the Harrisburg Transportation Center. Big train companies like the Pennsylvania Railroad, Penn Central, and Conrail used it.

This engine made history! On January 15, 1938, it pulled the very first electric train from Philadelphia to Harrisburg. It carried both people and goods until November 22, 1979. On that day, it pulled the very last GG1 freight train.

At first, it was in Strasburg. In 1982, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This means it's an important historical item. Then, in 1986, it moved to Harrisburg. Pennsylvania named it the official state electric locomotive in 1987. It was recognized again as a historic place in 2004.

How the GG1 Locomotive Was Designed

The GG1 was a powerful electric train engine. It was created in the 1930s by General Electric. The goal was to replace older engines like the P5a. The GG1 design was inspired by the New Haven EP3 locomotive.

This new engine could go as fast as 100 miles per hour (161 km/h). It got its power from twelve strong traction motors. Each motor produced 385 horsepower (287 kW). The first GG1, called PRR 4800, was tested against another design, the PRR R1.

The Pennsylvania Railroad chose the GG1. It was better because its parts could move separately, making it more flexible. Also, its motors were similar to ones they already used. In November 1934, the railroad ordered 57 GG1 engines. The first ones arrived in April 1935.

Making the GG1 Look Modern

A famous designer named Raymond Loewy helped make the GG1 look even better. He changed how the train's body was put together. Instead of using rivets, which are like metal buttons, the new GG1s were welded. This made the train look smoother and more modern.

Loewy also picked the special Brunswick green paint color. He added the gold pinstripes, which people called "cat's whiskers." This cool design was used on all Pennsylvania Railroad engines for the next 20 years.

History of Locomotive 4859

Locomotive 4859 was built in December 1937. It was made at the Pennsylvania Railroad's Altoona Works in Altoona, Pennsylvania. This workshop was a big place where trains were built and fixed.

First Journey and Special Events

On January 15, 1938, the electric train line from Philadelphia to Harrisburg officially opened. Locomotive 4859 pulled the very first train on this new line. It was called Train #25, The Metropolitan.

When the train left Philadelphia, there was a lot of noise. Train train whistles blew, and fire sirens wailed. Some people who didn't know about the event thought something serious was happening, like an invasion!

Changing Roles and Final Run

In 1964, locomotive 4859 was changed. Its gears were adjusted so it could go 90 miles per hour (145 km/h). This change allowed it to pull freight trains more often.

Even though it mostly carried goods, 4859 still pulled some passenger trains. It worked on "Clocker_s," which were short trips from New York to Philadelphia. It also pulled commuter trains on the New York and Long Branch Railroad.

On November 29, 1979, 4859 made its last big run. It pulled the final GG1-powered freight train from the Enola Yard in Enola, Pennsylvania, to Edgemoor, Delaware. After this, the train company Conrail officially retired it.

Preserving a Piece of History

4859 still in the Conrail colors at the Railroad Museum in 1982.

After it was retired, the Harrisburg chapter of the National Railway Historical Society bought 4859 for $13,000. They then gave it to the Harrisburg Redevelopment Authority. In the early 1980s, it was sent to the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania in Strasburg, Pennsylvania.

At the museum, workshops nearby helped fix up 4859. Workers cleaned the body and frame by sandblasting them. Then, they put on a primer and repainted it to look like it did in 1938. The main transformer was also cleaned. It had a hazardous chemical called polychlorinated biphenyl (PCBs) inside, which was safely removed.

Official Recognition and New Home

Locomotive 4859 was added to the National Register of Historic Places on August 19, 1982. It was still in Strasburg at that time. On November 13, 1986, the train's ownership was given to the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission.

Just two days later, the engine was moved into the Harrisburg Transportation Center. It was celebrated again at its new home. On December 18, 1987, the Pennsylvania government officially named 4859 the state's electric locomotive. They also named two other engines, K4s steam locomotives, as the state's steam locomotives.

In 2004, 4859 was listed on the National Register of Historic Places for a second time. In 2005, some soft materials were taken out of the train's cab. This was done to remove any leftover contamination from the PCBs.

Recent Care and Maintenance

In 2010, 4859 got some cosmetic work. Its wheel parts were repainted black to cover up rust. On April 5, 2014, the locomotive and its caboose were moved temporarily. They went to a siding about 1,000 feet (305 meters) away. Workers covered them with tarpaulins. This allowed Amtrak to do renovation work on the station's catenary (overhead power lines), signals, switches, and tracks. By October 17, 2015, the renovations were far enough along for 4859 to return to the station. The overall project is still ongoing.