The GG1 was a 2-Co-Co-2 type of which 139 were built between 1934 and 1943, and arguably the most famous electric locomotive of North America. The frame was in two halves joined with a ball and socket joint, which enabled it to negotiate sharper curves than would have been possible with a rigid frame. The body rested on the frame and was clad in welded steel plates.
The locos operated on 11 kV AC 25 Hz, and used 12 x 385-horsepower (287 kW) GEA-627-A1 traction motors which drove the 57-inch (140 cm) diameter driving wheels on six axles using a quill drive. Total continuous output was thus 4,620 hp. The traction motors were six-pole, 400 volts, mounted in pairs on each frame over each of the six driving axles. The "quill" was a shroud around and connected to the driving axle by means of a spring and cup arrangement which provided a flexible suspension system to provide full and equal traction for each driving axle regardless of track condition. Top speed was stated as 100 mph (160 km/h).
The locos survived into use by the successor railroads (Penn Central, Amtrak and Conrail) and the final withdrawal was in 1983. A total of 16 are preserved. (Howard Fogg artwork used for a 1970s Christmas card)
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