Pennsylvania Railroad (PRR) 4877 - Altoona GG1

NYP-ALT-65. Here is an original photo that I took while riding a Pennsylvania Railroad passenger train across the Hackensack River Bridge near Bergen, New Jersey, on 15 August 1965. Shown here pulling an oncoming passenger train is PRR engine #4877, a GG-1 (2-C-C-2) electric built in Juniata during January of 1939, rated at 4,620 horsepower, and presently on display at the United Railway Historical Society in Boonton, New Jersey. Both trains are zipping along at 60 miles per hour!

Here is a duplicate 35mm color slide via Al Chione. Shown here is Pennsylvania Railroad engine #4877, a GG-1 (2-C-C-2) electric built in Juniata during January of 1939, rated at 4,620 horsepower, later owned by Penn Central and Conrail, and presently on display at the United Railway Historical Society in Boonton, New Jersey. The photographer's name, the exact date, and the location are not recorded. (Tchowee"; #17 of 27)

Here is the front cover that was published originally on the July-August 1987 issue of "Locomotive & Railway Preservation" magazine. Partial Photo Caption: "GG1 No. 4877 runs for the last time in commercial service near Matawan, New Jersey, October 23, 1983." Photo by Don Wood. PRR engine #4877 is a GG-1 (2-C-C-2) electric built in Juniata during January of 1939, rated at 4,620 horsepower, and presently on display at the United Railway Historical Society in Boonton, New Jersey.

Randy Curlin Collection

How shooting with my regular camera did.

A sampling of NJ's commuter RRs.

Here is a postal card via Peter Outerbridge entitled "New Jersey Transit 4877." Caption On Reverse: "GG-1 No. 4877 at Wilmington, Del., June 5, 1977 after being repainted Tuscan Red by NJ Transit with the help of Jersey Central Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society." Photo by Homer R. Hill. Shown here is NJT engine #4877, a GG-1 (2-C-C-2) electric built in Juniata as Pennsylvania Railroad #4877 during January of 1939, rated at 4,620 horsepower, later owned by Penn Central and Conrail, and presently on display at the United Railway Historical Society in Boonton, New Jersey.

URHS' GG1 poses with a a classic car.

Here is page two of a 17-page cover article by Frederick Westing entitled "GG1: Story Of The Most Famous Electric Locomotive In The Western Hemisphere." It was published originally in the March 1964 issue of "Trains" magazine, page 21. Photo by William D. Middleton. Shown here is a partial view of Pennsylvania Railroad engine #4877, a GG-1 (2-C-C-2) electric built in Juniata during January of 1939, rated at 4,620 horsepower, and presently on display at the United Railway Historical Society in Boonton, New Jersey.

Here is page one of a 17-page cover article by Frederick Westing entitled "GG1: Story Of The Most Famous Electric Locomotive In The Western Hemisphere." It was published originally in the March 1964 issue of "Trains" magazine, page 20. Photo by William D. Middleton. Shown here is a partial view of Pennsylvania Railroad engine #4877, a GG-1 (2-C-C-2) electric built in Juniata during January of 1939, rated at 4,620 horsepower, and presently on display at the United Railway Historical Society in Boonton, New Jersey.

A yellow GG-1?? Just getting primed & body work!

PRR 4877, formerly nicknamed "Big Red", is seen here heading up a passenger train at an unidentified location. It is now owned by the United Railroad Historical Society of New Jersey. It is stored at the West Boonton Yard in Boonton, New Jersey, United States. It is fully cosmetically restored to its original appearance. No date, location or photographer was listed for this photo. With Steve Coraggio's help (see comment below), it may be Harrison, NJ with Newark skyline in the background.. Thanks, Steve!

A yellow GG-1? No, part of the prep for paint

Here is a duplicate 35mm color slide of a photo by Fred R. Kern that was taken in Tacony, Pennsylvania, on 3 February 1960. Shown here is Pennsylvania Railroad engine #4877, a GG-1 (2-C-C-2) electric built in Juniata in January of 1939, rated at 4,620 horsepower, and presently on display at the United Railway Historical Society in Boonton, New Jersey. ("LouisFols"; #7 of 13)

NJ Transit painted ex-PRR GG-1 4877 into PRR Tuscan Red and gold stripes in June, 1981. My buddy took a shot of me alongside "Big Red" still showing fresh paint but some minor body damage at South Amboy in July, 1981.

NJT GG-1 4877 in PRR livery with rear pan up at South Amboy in July, 1981.

Here is page four of a four-page article by E. John Long entitled "The Ankle-View Train." It was published originally in the October 1956 issue of "Trains" magazine, page 27. Bottom Photo Caption: "Regular service: 'Keystone' slips out of Newark." Shown here is Pennsylvania Railroad engine #4877, a GG-1 (2-C-C-2) electric built in Juniata during January of 1939, rated at 4,620 horsepower, and presently on display at the United Railway Historical Society in Boonton, New Jersey.

Tri-State Railway Historical Society

With 6 months until retirement, former PRR GG-1 4877 was lined up second in a line of G's at South Amboy, NJ in April, 1983. Only 4877, 4882, and 4879 would remain operable during the last revenue runs for GG1's on October 28, 1983, and the following day's Farewell to the GG1 celebration..

The April, 1983 lineup of GG1's would not be so long for much longer at South Amboy. Former PRR GG-1 4877, repainted in Tuscan Red in 1981, rests second in a line of Gs at the engine terminal. Just 6 months later, "Big Red" would be honored to pull the last run of the GG-1. Sadly, it was not to be as a breakdown forced sister GG-1 4879 to rescue the train. This beautiful GG-1 was preserved (in as-built Brunswick green) along with her sister unit 4879 as part of the United Railroad Historical Society of NJ collection in Boonton, NJ.

Built in 1939 by the Altoona Works, #4877 was the GG1 that pulled the "Farewell to the GG1" excursion in October of 1983

PRR GG1 4877 in my personal favorite PRR paint scheme.

PRR GG1s 4979 and 4877 next to each other in Boonton.

Dad was in Penn Station one night and saw the newly restored PRR 4877. He grabbed this from over on the Long Island side of the station>

NJ Transit 4877 was in Penn Station one night while dad was coming into town, and he took a few shots, including this one of the front of the engine.

Pennsylvania Railroad GG1a 4877 and 4879 sit side by side behind the URHS shops, proudly on display for the Transportation Heritage Festival.

NJDOT E8A 4253 sits on display next to the recently restored Pennsylvania Railroad GG1 4879 during the URHS Transportation Heritage Festival 2014.

2 restores Pennsylvania RR GG1s sit as railfans gawk at the beautifully done units

NJT owned PRR GG1 4877 southbound on number 4 track at Perryville, MD. Best guess date.

Pennsylvania Railroad GG1 4877.

United Railway Historical Society owned GG1, PRR 4877, has been repainted into Brunswick Green (see Tuscan Red photos in this album) and is stored at their vacility in Boonton NJ. Here it is displayed at the second annual open house on 09/22/13.

Here's another view of GG1 #4877 whhle working under the catenary system in at the Harrisburg station. Date is a "guess-timation" but appears to be after the 1981 restoration. This unit was preserved and cosmetically restored by the United Railroad Historical Society of New Jersey in Hoboken.

Stark nighttime shot, albeit staged with a spotlight for photographers. No location or date listed but looks like it was taken after its restoration in 1981 by the United Railroad Historical Society of New Jersey. W. H. Grosselfinger photo credit

One last shot of NS 1074 and PRR 4877 at Boonton

NS' Lackawanna heritage unit SD70ACe 1074 idles next to PRR GG1 4877, which has been beautifully restored.

Restored PRR GG1 4877