PRR 4876 (GG1) ex PC 4876, CR 4876 & AMTK 4876
In one of the more interesting moments in the history of the GG1 locomotive took place on the morning of January 15, 1953 at Washington's Union Station. Due to a brake line cock (valve) that closed due to poor location, the Federal Express from Boston was unable to apply the brakes on part of the train. Pushed by the unbraked cars, the GG1 engine (#4876) and two passenger cars ran off the end of Track 16 and crashed through the floor of Union Station and into the baggage room. With President Eisenhower's inauguration in days, the cars were hauled out by the next day. The GG1 was left in the basement under a temporary flooring. After the inauguration, in a remarkable demonstration of the durability of the GG1 engines, Engine #4876 was later cut into three pieces, removed from the baggage room, and reassembled at the Altoona (PA) shops of the Pennsylvania Railroad. It then re-entered commercial service and went on to be one of the last-serving GG1 engines.
Comments and faves
(Gary) [deleted] (59 months ago | reply)
That's a very cool find!
u31geb2003 (59 months ago | reply)
It is a shame they have allowed it to get in such deplorable condition.
George
u31geb2003 added this photo to their favorites. (59 months ago)
Conrail Kid (59 months ago | reply)
You should see the one at the railway museum in Altoona. absolutely pitiful that they have let it go to s&^t. That and the halt of the K4 restoration show how Mr. Cessna doesnt care about railroad history, just his bottom line.
rhombidec added this photo to their favorites. (59 months ago)
ranbarton (57 months ago | reply)
Poor old 4876 needs a roof and some TLC. To be left like this is a crime.
John H Gray (57 months ago | reply)
As sad as it is to see 4876 this way, the other option was the cutting torch. Maybe someone with a ton of money will make a nice donation to the B&O museum with the money to be used to restore 4876.
Christopher & Amy Cate / Eastern Rails Photography (56 months ago | reply)
Did you shoot that from the train like I did -
John H Gray (56 months ago | reply)
Sure did. They let me stand with the door open to get the shot. The windows of the coaches were so dirty I never would have had a clean shot.
Christopher & Amy Cate / Eastern Rails Photography (56 months ago | reply)
I shot mine through the window. that poor engine!!
John H Gray (56 months ago | reply)
I was at the B&O museum to talk to the volunteer coordinator about doing some restoration work. After riding the train, one of the volunteers told me I should have asked because I could have taken the ride in CSXT 9699(GP38). It was hard to drive home while kicking myself.
caboose_rodeo added this photo to her favorites. (54 months ago)
kjrehberg (45 months ago | reply)
There are 15 other GG1s in various states of repair around the country. Though none of them can be operated due to the removed PCB-filled transformers, the museums just don't know what to do with *all* of them.
nictd1000 (42 months ago | reply)
Hi, I'm an admin for a group called Rainbow Era Amtrak, and we'd love to have this added to the group!
Frank Campbell (42 months ago | reply)
this GG1 and the heavyweight coaches apparently sat in some CSX yard in baltimore...
ranbarton and oinonio added this photo to their favorites.
Safety Cones (31 months ago | reply)
What a beautiful story.
horizon5789321 (2 months ago | reply)
If any GG1 needs a historical makeover, it's this one!