by Allen Hazen
The basic GG-1 mechanical design was General Electric's: a beefed up version of the New haven EP-3. At the outset, I suspect that somebody envisioned a box-cab design reminiscent of the EP-3 and GE's mechanically similar (though electrically different: straight DC) 2-C-C-2 locomotives for the Cleveland Terminal… with maybe a "Pennsylvania-ization" of the details that would resemble the carbodies of the O-1, L-6 and (non-modified) P-5. But then a change was made to the design we know: a semi-streamlined center-cab with complexly contoured hoods. (Maybe the hood treatment was a bit inspired by Westinghouse's "Visibility Cab" switchers.) This general design was used for the GG-1, its Baldwin-Westinghouse rival the R-1, the "modified" P-5a, and the later DD-2.
But it was only used on locomotives for the Pennsylvania. Mechanically similar locomotives for other railroads -- the New Haven EP-4 and (both mechanically and, I suspect, electrically near clones of the GG-1) EF-3 are the nearest cousins -- got a very different "cosmetic design," with cabs perhaps inspired by EMD's streamlined passenger units.
Was the GG-1 (etc) design a proprietary PRR design, protected by some sort of design patent or copyright? Suppose some other railroad had gone to GE and said "We want an exact copy of the GG-1, we think it is EXACTLY what we need." Would GE have built it, or would they have said "Certainly, but it is going to look like a New Haven EP-4: if you want it to look like the PRR's locomotive, you'll have to pay royalties to the PRR for permission"?
(Question inspired by a model railroader's fantasy, reported on the EL-DLW-Erie forum, of painting GG-1 models in DLW and ERie colours.")
But it was only used on locomotives for the Pennsylvania. Mechanically similar locomotives for other railroads -- the New Haven EP-4 and (both mechanically and, I suspect, electrically near clones of the GG-1) EF-3 are the nearest cousins -- got a very different "cosmetic design," with cabs perhaps inspired by EMD's streamlined passenger units.
Was the GG-1 (etc) design a proprietary PRR design, protected by some sort of design patent or copyright? Suppose some other railroad had gone to GE and said "We want an exact copy of the GG-1, we think it is EXACTLY what we need." Would GE have built it, or would they have said "Certainly, but it is going to look like a New Haven EP-4: if you want it to look like the PRR's locomotive, you'll have to pay royalties to the PRR for permission"?
(Question inspired by a model railroader's fantasy, reported on the EL-DLW-Erie forum, of painting GG-1 models in DLW and ERie colours.")