Amtrak is planning upgrades to its Harrisburg station and needs the Harrisburg Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society to cooperate in finding a temporary and then new permanent home for Pennsy GG1 No. 4859 and a Pennsy N6B cabin car, or caboose.
John Smith, president of the historical society chapter, tells Trains News Wire that the organization leases track space from Amtrak, though not necessarily a specific track. The chapter owns the locomotive, caboose, as well as nearby Harris Tower, a former Pennsy interlocking that became surplus in the modern era.
The locomotive is usually on display on Track 5, which is one of two tracks that Amtrak plans to upgrade to high platforms to comply with Americans with Disabilities Act regulations.
Smith says the chapter is negotiating with Amtrak on “different levels” to find a permanent home for the equipment under cover. Smith says Amtrak has offered to place the locomotive on another track at the station, but one that he says is partially exposed to the elements. He also says the railroad talked about moving the rolling stock under a pavilion near Harris Tower, about 1,000 feet due north of the Amtrak station.
“My suggestion is to put another track in,” Smith says, so passengers boarding trains could still see the equipment and so that it stays out of the elements.
Smith argues that because the locomotive is on the National Register of Historic Places that Amtrak — using Federal government money — cannot put the chapter and its equipment at a disadvantage. He also says he wants to make certain that the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission is at least notified of the pending move so the commission can lend whatever support it is able.
An Amtrak representative says the railroad looks forward “talking with the historical society about a permanent home.”
Pennsylvania Railroad workers built GG1 No. 4859 in December 1937 in Altoona, Pa., using GE components. This GG1 was the first electric locomotive to haul a revenue service train to Harrisburg in January 1938.
My mother use to take me to Newark Penn station too, and when a big GG1 pulled it it was both terrifying and exhilarating to an 8 year old. I too have my own fleet of GG1s….just happen to be in N Scale.
NRHS Fund, Inc, has raised less than dollar from AMAZON SMILE’s 1/2% Foundation,
AMAZON SMILE reaches $89,000,000.
I agree with Mr. Bishop. At a similar age I recall them arriving and departing Newark Penn. Both impressive and intimidating as a youngster! Great memories courtesy of my grandfather who delighted in taking us to watch trains
It’s all in the beholder.
I first saw one from a high-level platform at Newark Penn Station and it impressed the hell out of me! But then I was about 7 years old and this monster seemed like it was about 3 feet away. Result of that is my prize possessions are two GG1s, one green, one tuscan — in O Scale!
Being that bottom feeders…er, …bottom liners are in charge of the government and Amtrak, this will be an interesting struggle. Unfortunately money has no sentiment for history or heritage or even public relations and good will. I do hope the Chapter and the equipment survive at the station exposing more than just “fans” who are the only ones who will go out of their way to find and see a GG1. And, while Harris Tower is a fascinating, interesting, and important preservation project, it does take one on a several block walk away from the station. So moving the equipment closer to the Tower should not be an option.
When I first saw a GG, it was from a high-level platform (I don’t recall where) I was disappointed. Locomotives need to be seen from grade, else they don’t look right.
A pertinent fact left out of this write-up:
At its current location, the GG1 and caboose can be seen, but only by ticketed Amtrak passengers, and only from adjacent platforms. There is no direct access to either the platform, 4859 or the cabin car except on very rare special occasions.
Relocation to a different site may improve actual public access to both artifacts.
Clifton Forge:
“The locomotive is usually on display on Track 5, which is one of two tracks that Amtrak plans to upgrade to high platforms to comply with Americans with Disabilities Act regulations.”
Whats wrong were it is?