by MACTRAXX
rohr turbo wrote:IMO, the Metroliner represented the 'flagship service' in the East, not GG1-hauled coaches which were a bit of an embarrassment. I'll bet the GG1s were considered pedestrian workhorses (nearing end of their useful lives) like we think of AEM7s today.RT: The GG1s were hardly a "embarrassment" to Amtrak - it was what they inherited from the PRR/PC in the 70s and yes-they were getting old (1934-1943)
In the early 70s, if Amtrak wanted a shiny beautiful train to symbolize a new generation of passenger train service, they had the UA Turbos.
I love GG1s, but I think they look ridiculous in Platinum Mist and a red clown nose. This handsome Loewy-designed locomotive actually looks better in PC black. again, just my opinion.
and heading toward the end of their useful lives...They got a reprieve of sorts with the problems of the E60CP motors and would not be fully replaced until
the AEM7 fleet was proven - 1981 would be that year...The coaches that Amtrak bought and inherited would change drastically after the Amfleet cars began
service beginning in 1975 - initially in the NEC...
I never minded the Amtrak color scheme used on the G's...What could have been used is a variation of the PRR color scheme that a few GG1s had which was
silver with a large PRR side keystone - to me anything was better then PC's "funeral black"...
Yes-the Metroliner MU's were a symbol to NYP-WAS NEC railroading during the 70s and the UA Turbo Trains could have been the other "future" high speed
train but they never worked out for Amtrak after their early years testing and cross country tour...They worked out OK for a time for CN and VIA but when
Amtrak was going to purchase one of VIA's trainsets it got badly damaged in a wreck and then written off...I remember reading that the UA Turbotrains only
were designed to have a maximum 15 year lifespan - short for rail cars - and were not good on fuel...
I feel that the GG1s were at least maintained somewhat well - the PC intercity passenger era only lasted 3 years and units in Amtrak service received funding
through Amtrak and the USDOT to keep them running during the PC/Amtrak years before Amtrak took title to the GG1s directly in 1976...
There were at least two more reasons that Amtrak would phase out the GG1s that I remember that were not previously mentioned - not being compatible for
HEP was one - for GG1s to be used with Amfleet a 690s series power car was needed - and the other not easily being able to be converted to 25 KV AC in which
Amtrak looked to reequip the NEC with at one point...
NJRN: That is true - #4800 is the only GG1 to wear Conrail blue and the short-lived Bicentennial paint scheme...
MACTRAXX
EXPRESS TRAIN TO NEW YORK PENN STATION-NO JAMAICA ON THIS TRAIN-PLEASE STAND CLEAR OF THE CLOSING TRAIN DOORS