The GG1 and others were able to run off of diesel power too in case the catenary was damaged. You couldn't have a bunch of electrics stopped, it would stop all traffic. Remember, regular diesel electrics ran on that same track as well.
Tommy Truth If you hate technology, the move to a third world country. Railroads can work more efficiently thanks to these improvement. Blame the airlines and car companies for ruining this
Tommy Truth sorry dude, you can’t use the “liberals ruined everything” responde here. It was the rise of the highways and the airlines that brought an end to the glamorous days of passenger rail. That and the government was funding cars and planes
Actually, the GG1's were straight electric and did not run off diesel power. If the power failed, the trains stopped. If it was an extended outage, they would have to send diesels out to pull the trains in. Been there, done that. The only engines that have both diesel and electric capability are the NH/PC FL9's and the GE Genesis units used out of New York today. These dual mode engines were used to eliminate changing from diesel to electric engines before entering NYC.
It's a maintenance issue, you'd need a pantograph for each car, and switchgear in each car to control that power. Failing that, you'd have 10+ times the wear on the catenary wire from all the other wipers sliding across it. Also, those cars wouldn't be able to be pulled by other diesel or steam locomotives with steam heating. They all could use a common system regardless of the motive power source.
Yes, those heaters were to supply steam to heat the older steam-heated passenger cars. To another poster, why would the PRR need steam to generate electricity to light the passenger cars when they had 11KV AC at 25 Hz overhead?
@grizzleybearz282004 i think it is the fuel for the boiler that heats the coaches as most of the GG1s were for passenger service at the time of this film
Probably, but don't forget Amtrak is 30-40 years after the fact. I don't even know if they use steam today for heat. Does SEPTA's cars all have powered boogies? Brakes obviously, but I don't think there are traction motors in each truck.
Nice video! Any idea what year it was filmed? I love that huge trainwash they go through with its super tall brushes and whirlygigs, although I did not know that a pig was used to push them through. Why was this?
Wouldn't the head-end power come from the locomotive for lighting and diner cars? Amtrak uses that system, regardless of whether they are running in electrified territory or not. On SEPTA's Regional Rail system (which uses PRR and Reading catenary), not all cars ride with the pantograph raised, as they use MU control.
@yardlet6 Thats what I though, but actually watching it again I'm sure its for the safety of the men appyling the detergents with their brushes up on that high platform. It's pretty close to the live roof equipment. I used to live right by a rail depot and they had an automatic train wash there too, the locos, which ran off 25KV overhead, would go straight through hauling the coaches with them. The seemed to be unaffected by bring drenched in soapy water.
@Bassfanatic94 Steamers were harder to maintain and needed water and coal every 100 miles and electrics were expensive and hazardous to work around. With diesels you just fill them up,lash them up and go.
PRR GG1 Project: Looking to interview and record conversations with GG1 mechanics, electricians, maintenance personnel, engineers and historians for an upcoming documentary project.
@TheLastBrainLeft yeah thats something I don't understand why America did that. Steam locomotives and electric locomotives had way more power than our modern diesels, but it is always about economics.
Nice vid! I do have to ask at 3:42 it says take on "fuel" and water. I thought the GG-1's were total electric. I understand taking on water and sand...but FUEL???? I'm lost...,Can anyone please fill me in on this???
I don't know the exact year. The film mentions the president's special rail car and that it was used by Eisenhower without mentioning that Reagn used it also LOL. The president's special car is now on display at the Gold Coast Railway Museum in Miami, Florida.
Eccezionale veramente......grazie per averlo messo a disposizione
Luigi Visconti
I love this hokey old films.
The GG1 and others were able to run off of diesel power too in case the catenary was damaged. You couldn't have a bunch of electrics stopped, it would stop all traffic. Remember, regular diesel electrics ran on that same track as well.
I have this on cassette! I used to watch this every saturday. My childhood was partially built on these vids
Uhh you mean VHS
Terrific. Thanks for sharing this slice of history, which captures a time in which travel was fun (instead of fearful and feral)!
A Better time when could get around and we had jobs in America. What ever happen to those days.
Both technology and liberals have destroyed this country.
Greed, technological developments, and what they call "progress" destroyed all of that.
Tommy Truth
If you hate technology, the move to a third world country. Railroads can work more efficiently thanks to these improvement. Blame the airlines and car companies for ruining this
Tommy Truth sorry dude, you can’t use the “liberals ruined everything” responde here. It was the rise of the highways and the airlines that brought an end to the glamorous days of passenger rail. That and the government was funding cars and planes
the PRR has some of the most retro unique equipment in the world!
Actually, the GG1's were straight electric and did not run off diesel power. If the power failed, the trains stopped. If it was an extended outage, they would have to send diesels out to pull the trains in. Been there, done that. The only engines that have both diesel and electric capability are the NH/PC FL9's and the GE Genesis units used out of New York today. These dual mode engines were used to eliminate changing from diesel to electric engines before entering NYC.
They DID have steam heaters, now that you mention it. And if I'm not mistaken, those heaters were for the entire train, not just the locomotive cabs.
wow look at tht wash, its impossible to get norfolk southern to even empty the toilets on our units
NS doesn't add up to a pimple on the PRR's ass.
It's a maintenance issue, you'd need a pantograph for each car, and switchgear in each car to control that power. Failing that, you'd have 10+ times the wear on the catenary wire from all the other wipers sliding across it. Also, those cars wouldn't be able to be pulled by other diesel or steam locomotives with steam heating. They all could use a common system regardless of the motive power source.
@callinstead09 - HAD some of the most retro unique equipment.
Yes, those heaters were to supply steam to heat the older steam-heated passenger cars.
To another poster, why would the PRR need steam to generate electricity to light the passenger cars when they had 11KV AC at 25 Hz overhead?
@Dockshund The E2b is the prototype of the spanish not succesful 278 series, 3.000 HP and a lot of mechanic problems with that central truck!
the pennsy: your true american railroad!
The GG1 should come back, Hauling 18 cars WITH Electric problems, Amtrak needs these again
They were one of the best locomotives ever built.
@grizzleybearz282004
i think it is the fuel for the boiler that heats the coaches as most of the GG1s were for passenger service at the time of this film
Probably, but don't forget Amtrak is 30-40 years after the fact. I don't even know if they use steam today for heat.
Does SEPTA's cars all have powered boogies? Brakes obviously, but I don't think there are traction motors in each truck.
Nice video! Any idea what year it was filmed?
I love that huge trainwash they go through with its super tall brushes and whirlygigs, although I did not know that a pig was used to push them through. Why was this?
Wouldn't the head-end power come from the locomotive for lighting and diner cars? Amtrak uses that system, regardless of whether they are running in electrified territory or not.
On SEPTA's Regional Rail system (which uses PRR and Reading catenary), not all cars ride with the pantograph raised, as they use MU control.
@yardlet6 Thats what I though, but actually watching it again I'm sure its for the safety of the men appyling the detergents with their brushes up on that high platform. It's pretty close to the live roof equipment.
I used to live right by a rail depot and they had an automatic train wash there too, the locos, which ran off 25KV overhead, would go straight through hauling the coaches with them. The seemed to be unaffected by bring drenched in soapy water.
it's steam to power the electric lights in the passenger cars.
0:56 Trenton Makes...The World Takes
Was the early shots going across the bridges in Harrisburg PA? Sure looks like it anyway...
@Bassfanatic94 Steamers were harder to maintain and needed water and coal every 100 miles and electrics were expensive and hazardous to work around. With diesels you just fill them up,lash them up and go.
@soundseeker63 These guys are professionals so they know how to work. Remember the power for the engine is off. That's why you need the barney.
PRR GG1 Project: Looking to interview and record conversations with GG1 mechanics, electricians, maintenance personnel, engineers and historians for an upcoming documentary project.
It looks strange seeing a GG1 take on fuel oil, would that be for the steam generator if there was a power failure?
@TheLastBrainLeft yeah thats something I don't understand why America did that. Steam locomotives and electric locomotives had way more power than our modern diesels, but it is always about economics.
Nice vid! I do have to ask at 3:42 it says take on "fuel" and water. I thought the GG-1's were total electric. I understand taking on water and sand...but FUEL????
I'm lost...,Can anyone please fill me in on this???
@Darkstylerz Fuel is for the steam generator.
@soundseeker63 No power on the engine so they could get it through that waterlogged machine.
I don't know the exact year. The film mentions the president's special rail car and that it was used by Eisenhower without mentioning that Reagn used it also LOL. The president's special car is now on display at the Gold Coast Railway Museum in Miami, Florida.
Why would a GG1 need fuel?
Oops sorry, I stand corrected
@CSXer i agree with you, totally lost as i saw a woman fueling a GG-1, WTF???
They hired some of them during the war and a few stuck around after it.
@railroader1993 and look they can't keep them fixed up.
You don't understand what I meant...
Little boys love trains...until they actualy go to work for a railroad. Trust me.
They will treat you like something the cat dragged in today.
FOor the steam boiler(s)
Those were the days . . .
Yes, before both the PRR and America went down the drain