A slightly different view of the Rosenberg Yard Office from the one I posted above. Can read the signs on it better.
Ken, two GG-1s, 4800 (prototype) and 4935 (last operational), are stored as indoor displays at Strasburg, PA. Neither are operational. According to Wiki there are 16 in existence around the country, including 4800 and 4935, but none are operational.
None are operational. The oil in their transformers contained PCB's, so all of them had to be removed and disposed of. What I wonder is if modern solid state electrical equipment could be substituted and a G made to run? Even if so, it'd probably cost a fortune and today's Amtrak is hardly friendly toward unusual operating ventures.
Yessir. When I moved to NJ in 1980 and began to check out the Erie main, the line looked as if it was frozen in time from an earlier era. Multiple tracks were intact, interlocking towers stood, pole lines were full of wires, classic depots were plentiful and the line was busy with commuter trains and a surprising volume of freight, both through and local. I took plenty of pictures, but one of my biggest regrets as a railfan was not following the Erie main further west to capture more. But alas I was fresh out of college in a new job with no vacation and no money in the bank.
"Dog's Breakfast at First Light" Eastbound mixed freight rolls into Minot. In railfan terms, a "Dog's Breakfast" is a lashup of multiple types of locomotives in a variety of paint schemes. This eclectic lashup includes a newer ET44C4, SD70MAC coal motor and an SD75M. The ET44C4 is a model designation for Evolution Series, Tier 4 emissions, 4400 hp, 6-axle trucks with 4 traction motors. The C4 trucks can lift a center axle to increase weight on the driving wheels during periods of hard pulling. The sign to the right is for a suicide prevention helpline.
April 1, 2006 I was following the line from Binghampton, NY to Albany. I found this Pyrex carnival glass insulator. I have several in my collection but this was the first one I saw in the wild.
Many local bike paths are built on old rail routes. This time of year, hidden gems like that revealed by fallen leaves. Wire is long gone, but poles and glass persist. Mile markers, whistle post, old junction boxes, etc.
Also found these puppies on the line between Binghamton and Albany. They were a long ways away from any catenary. I regret not taking better care composing these pics. A missed opportunity.
Neat stuff, insulators and GG-1s! You were following the former D&H mainline. Feel free to post more along your tour! I found that the 4932 was scrapped. I can't make out the other's number.