Yes, these are owned and not forgotten in the literal sense, but they have been sitting on an isolated track for several years and their immediate plans haven't happened, so the future is unknown. Best case scenario is they are restored for the public to enjoy. The info we shared is what we gathered from info online and what we saw in person. Check out more railroad ruins here: bit.ly/2JLNKAp

I worked at Wilmington Shops in Delaware, we were a heavy repair shop for the GG1's. We had 100 ton cranes and drop tables to take out motors or wheels as needed and any other repairs on the "G's". They were great locomotives.

Wow, that is an awesome find! I hope they can be saved for future generations.

The GG1 is still the most impressive electric locomotive I ever met. From the Netherlands I made the trip to meet her in the Pennsylvania Railroad Museum in Strasbourg. It was a great moment to me to see her beautiful appearance there. My favorite locomotive in the Netherlands was the electric locomotive Serie 1200. This was designed by the Baldwin Locomotive Works with Westinghouse corporation. The designer of this "Dutch" smaller later variant was the same man that designed the GG1. In the museum I took a nice drawing of the GG1 and it is framed as nice piece of real Railroad Art. It is a little bit sad to see the remainging GG1 outside rusting away and forgotten........ Thank you fot sharing your film! Warm greetings from the Netherlands by Arie Bert Versteeg ;-)

NJTRO used GG-1’s until they were retired in October 1983. I operated GG-1’s on Amtrak. When the Budd Multiple Unit Metroliners were being removed from service. As the new Amtrak Amfleet Coaches arrived. The GG-1’s were used in Metroliner service. The train would consist of a GG-1, 3 to 5 Amfleet Coaches,a Mail Coach upgraded to 125 mph and a Diesel Powered Generator inside to provide electricity to the Amfleet Coaches. I operated GG-1’s as a Fireman/Assistant Locomotive Engineer. Until I was permanently promoted to Locomotive Engineer in NJTRO. The GG-1’s were used in metroliner service, unit the AEM-7’s arrived and put in service. There were many times, when there were problems with the wayside signals, losing schedule time. The speed indicator on the GG-1 went to 100 mph. If the Metroliner was more than 5 minutes late to the final destination. The passengers would ride for free. When running late because of nothing that had to do with the Locomotive,Locomotive Engineer or their Fireman. The Locomotive Engineer or myself would get the GG-1 going 125 mph. Using my watch and catenary poles to tell how fast I would have the Metroliner was moving. In order to reach the final destination on time. I also operated GG-1’s until they were retired on NJTRO. The GG-1’s were fun to operate. No Locomotive Engineer that never operated a GG-1 could operate one. Without being instructed. It’s been 50 years since I last operated a GG-1. I do remember a lot about them and have forgotten about some things about them. When operating a GG-1. You couldn’t just throttle out. You couldn’t go over 1,500 amps. The GG-1’s had Quill drivers between the spokes on the driver wheels. The Quill Drivers were used to get the GG1 moving. Between 7 and 10 mph the AC Traction Motors would engage. Then you could get up to 2,500 amps. The GG1 has a 21 position throttle. Each notch send a signal to the transformer. That had tap switches on them. Enabling more Current to deliver electricity to the traction motors. If you would depress the button on the throttle handle and pull the throttle arm past a certain point. The Pantograph Relay would trip out. There was a specific procedure to reset the Pantograph Relay. If you didn’t follow the procedure. The pantograph relay would not reset. I also occasionally operated GG-1’ on Freight Trains. Freight Train TV23 and TV 24 would usually have 2 GG-1’s coupled in multiple. Making them one unit. I’m not betting sarcastic in any way. I’m just providing first hand information.

As a British lad it amazes me that two of one of America’s most famous locos can just be left side by side in the woods. In the UK, everything is so much closer so ripping up old lines was a lot more economical. Therefore most abandoned lines have nothing left but the odd stub of an old signal pole or the leftover rubble of a bridge. Every last loco and stretch of track was quickly snatched up by preservationists or the scrappers, leaving nothing behind as a relic for enthusiasts like us to explore. As much as it’s satisfying to see locos preserved and running on heritage lines, there’s nothing like the mystery of finding an abandoned train to learn about and add to the extensive history of the world’s railways.

I remember the GG1's when they were still in service. I grew up in South Philadelphia in the 1960's and they would run them in the Greenwich yard down near the Philadelphia Navy Yard. They had a loud hum from what I recall. I was always in awe of them. So sad to see these legendary locomotives just deteriorating in the woods. I'm happy to see that there is no obvious signs of vandalism.

What a treasure to find this hiding in the woods! While I'm not a fan of all things trains, I love these vintage ones and the history involved. As for both of your cameras going haywire, I'm going with a haunting. The spirits probably don't get many visitors!

I started working on GG-1 electric locomotives in March, 1974 in Sunnyside Engine House, Long Island City. They were 4-6-6-4 configuration, making them capable of navigating curves at high speed. Each powered axle had 2 480 horsepower traction motors. They were AC traction motors, thus each locomotive had 12 480 horsepower traction motors. These traction motors were cooled by gigantic blowers located in each hood. When in the cabs, you could not open the hood door without first turning off the blower. On the No. ‘F’ end of the locomotives was the 11,000 volt AC transformer. The transformer was called by Pyranol which was moved through the transformer and air cooled. We were never allowed to enter the transformer room when the pantographs were up against the catenary drawing 11,00 volts, 4,000 amps potential. There was a heavy door that required a heavy pull on a handle to open the door. Well, to show you the force of this electric power, I was aboard an engine once when a fault caused a transformer explosion that literally blow the transformer door off. The engines had steam generators that utilized petroleum and they powered the head end steam for the coaches. The bodies were designed by Raymond Lowey and were famous for their streamlined design. I rode aboard these locomotives from New York City to Washington DC at up to 100 mph. Now, one engine could pull 10 heavy weights at 100 mph. I once rode in a double headed GG-1s freight and they were pulling 120 mph at 70 mph through Trenton, New Jersey. I will never forget working on these magnificent electric locomotives. Paul Messina.

As I sit in my living room, with my self built sort of home theater with the 10' screen, and this video projected onto that big screen bringing it all to life size, the child in me wakes up and anthropomorphizes those GG1s and I feel so sad for them, sitting, silently rusting away, ignored and left to die alone in a forest somewhere. RIP GG1's, I remember riding with you when I was a child, through NJ and Pennsylvania with my grandpa, he, a retired ticket agent for the PRR, who carried his Pennsy I.D., and seemed to know every conductor and engineer we met. He also got me a ride in one of those cabs, so many years ago, though I was too young to appreciate that experience like I would, today. We took many rides together, you and I, and I always marveled at the magnificence of you huge electric beasts, easily pulling our train to joyful cruising speed along the rails. Today's Amtrak diesels just don't bring that feeling back, the way you did, so long ago. On behalf of railroading fans everywhere, we miss you.

Wow, Brings back memories. They were the only locomotives that could come into Penn Station from the tunnels. I used to walk up to them on the platforms and just stare in amazement. Great childhood memories. 😊

As a kid in 1972 we took a trip in October of that year to visit relatives in New Jersey. As we drove through the Philadelphia area we passed a large rail yard that had these in waiting and others that were pulling passenger trains. Some were in Pennsy black and others had the then new PC logo. What I remember most, though, was the huge size of these cyclops and how scary they looked, like something out of a horror movie.

I have one of these in O gauge size from Lionel that I received from my grandfather when he passed. It's from around 1947-1950. Still runs and pulls cars like a beast. Have it set up with other very old locomotives I got from him for my Christmas display. Really neat to see a real one, although dead......but still awesomely impressive. I hope they can be saved and not end up in a pile of scrap!!

The "cushion" mentioned on the box car refers to the couplers. The coupler shank has more travel and there's a shock absorber built in. It softens the shock when dealing with coupler slack.

Enjoyed your video very much. The GG1 was the first motor I worked on as an electrician in 1984. Presently I teach electrical courses part time at a community college. The GG1 is constantly used as an example when discussing AC circuits. Over the years I have tried to get pictures of the transformer only to be told they were all removed due to PCBs. Keep up the good work.

As an artist studying in Philly, and as a railroad aficionado, I had a good friend in the 1970s who happened to be a GG1 engineer. Since he was seeking visits to NYC art museums, we would swap cab rides through the corridor to visit those museums. Dream come true. It was like going 92 mph in a broom closet. lol. I'll never forget my buddy or the GG1s.

Thank you. This blows me away! I grew up in the 50s around Pittsburgh and trains were a part of my life. To see one abandoned, I've no words for. Steel mills died and a lot more it would seem! Thanks for this.

I've been here! My friend lives nearby and I had to catch a flight so I couldn't pull over and take up close photos. So glad to see someone appreciating these trains and seeing up close video documentation of these. I've heard they were pulled in and had the brakes replaced. It's a shame to hear that it's landlocked. I saw these two in August so they're still here! Thank you so much for this video!

These 2 GG1's are the earlier examples, because they have the long vent screens along the lower bodies. But other GG1's were rebuilt with these vents up over the shoulders and close to the roofline; because when it would snow and the GG1 would race through at 100 M.P.H., the fine particles is snow will fly up, and clog those with lower vents. Thus the higher vents are necessary for efficient operation. Also there are both types saved at museums. Like here in Green Bay at the National Railroad Museum there is GG1 4890 repainted with Tuscan Red, and 5 Stripes like cat whiskers, and upper body vents. Way back in 1995 in arrived on February 10th during a snow storm. But 4890 was traded from the B&O RR MUSEUM in Baltimore in exchange for the F.M./FAIRBANKS-MORSE H1044 switcher originally built for the Milwaukee Road, but then used by Miller Compressing in Milwaukee and numbered 1200 but I still need to find the original M.R. number. As well as the 2nd H1044 that was repainted at the NRRM with M.R. Orange and Black colors and the original number 767; and it was used for a couple of years to pull the NRRM train around the little circle of track; but hasn't been run since approximately 2001 because nobody at the NRRM knows how to run it anymore. So the NRRM needs a lot of help to get 767 running again after 21 Years. Hopefully now in 2022 somebody can help them 👍 ok. Thanks.

I always thought the GG1 was the coolest looking locomotive ever. Remember seeing them operating when my family made trips to see our relatives in the Northeast, also had one back when I had HO trains. Once while we were visiting at my grandmother's place in New Haven we made a day trip into the City. Rode the Turbo Train (another bit of rail history that seems forgotten) to NYC but coming back we were pulled by a GG1, one of favorite train rides to say the least. Said to see these old beauties fading away in the woods somewhere, hope they will see better days ahead before they rust away to nothing.

Great video. I always enjoy JP's laid back way of presenting his videos, not just a film maker but an entertainer and educator as well.

Oh wow that is amazing! I felt kinda sad looking at them, but it's very awesome that you were able to document them. I hope that one day the owners will be able to get them moved out and restore them and maybe put them in a museum for people to view and enjoy. The little letter box on the mail car is so cool! The music is perfect for your video and your pictures are so beautiful! Awesome video JP, thank you so much!

Very well done video and awesome photography. You are very respectful not revealing the location. I remember visiting those locomotives for the first time. They were in rough shape before but look even worse now but at least they are saved..... for now. Thanks for sharing

Wow amazing find JP it's been a long time I haven't see a GG one it's amazing how the way you have found that sad and the other point because they're just sitting there to get destroyed by Nature but beautiful that at least you got to take photos as also videos thank you for this video take care and I will see you JP on your next video

This was one of your best videos yet. I love the abandoned railroad content. You did an amazing job with the video. Hope to see more like this

These units are known to live in Coopersville and have been discussed on rail preservation forums going back about 20 years. It's sad to see these rot away. Without some kind of major benefactor to save the day, they will end up being scrap

The problem with operating the GG1 is as others have said, the massive transformer used in it are laden w PCBs and it also likely has asbestos in it. In theory they could retrofit a modern electric drive like used in the modern alps engines bypassing the transformer. The voltage is the same today as it was back then on the NEC so in theory they could create a hybrid using the motors in the GG1 and a modern power distribution system. If they used the setup in the ALPS engine NJT uses, it could also run on the NJT Morris and Essex ( why they would want to IDK). I suspect with the cost of trying to make it run the best would be static restoration. Maybe someday someone will figure out a way to run a GG1, would be awesome if unlikely. At my first job one of my coworkers had been a fireman on a GG1 ( and yes,they still use the term) working for Conrail.

Great video - I loved to see that old wooden boxcar & the vintage mail car - a nice bonus!

Another great video JP! I've always loved the GG1’S, this is beautiful, and sad at the same time. I also enjoyed looking at that old mail car. The loss of the contracts with the US Postal Service is what doomed many passenger trains in the 60s. A beautiful photo montages also. That b&w photo of the GG1 with colored leaves was neat 👌!

Hey there JP……..outstanding video. Thanks for taking us along. I can only imagine what it was like to see them up close. I sure hope that one day they are rescued. Thanks again for sharing your experience 👍

Locomotives connected to each other is called multiple units and considered one locomotive . I was fortunate enough to operate GG-1’s from early 1974 until their retirement on NJTRO

That was pretty odd what happened to you guys but still an awesome video as always. Thanks for preserving these on video Jay.

I am so glad you did a video on these! I know where they are located and was dumbfounded when I saw them. Such a cool find.

Awesome find JP! I sure hope they get restored someday! They look awesome sitting there in the woods like that! Awesome video! Thanks for bringing us along!

Awesome train video JP!! They’re just so 1940s retro looking!! It’s heart breaking they aren’t being resurrected and saved 😢 Thanks for sharing 👍🏻✌🏻💕

Definitely back in the day that was one of the most powerful electric locomotives manufactured. The concern with that old equipment is the Transformers Inside which had pcbs and also had in some cases Mercury rectifiers. My relatives who lived out in Pennsylvania worked for the railroad and serviced many of these units and I have a collection of photographs of this beautiful locomotive nicknamed Big Red. It's a shame. She was a beast and her speed was incredible. A rich history and Legacy of quality, engineering and craftsmanship

This is definitely one of your best finds. Great video and information.

I felt transported back in time, my favorite was the wooden car. So Bizarre about the SD cards and phone, makes you wonder?! You definitely made a work of art with this vid. Thank you VERY much for filming this and sharing. Shout out to NixCrossing for his part.💙💙💙

How cool would it be if they could be saved and resurrected. This is great footage. Very much enjoyed this.

Love that old mail car, THAT would be a great restoration piece.!! .. And you can't help thinking of one of the greatest movie scenes ever.... "Think you used enough dynamite there buth".!!😂... What a great find, great footage, well done sir.!!🙏

How cool, to see 2 of 149 built GG1's at the same location. I think I know where they are 🤫, I'll never tell. I've planned to go see them but it just never happened, do to onething or another. Amazing invention for that era. I hope that someday soon they find a better retirement and get restored. Thanks Jay and Nic 👊👍

I got to actually drive one of these when I was 14. My father was station master Penn Station, Newark, N.J . His friend was an engineer and I was coming back from a trip into the city (NYC for you non tri-state ppl) I go off at Newark to see my dad and ride home with him, he got stuck due to a problem somewhere and he sent me home in the cab of the loco. Once we were underway I got to drive from Newark to just before Elizabeth. Something I will never forget

This is so neat. Some damage by people, but not to bad. Thanks JP for sharing 👍👋

Perfect music playing as you approached, you said they were forgotten….it was very sad. This was a cool explore and you both were knowledgeable. Liked the pic of the mail car slipped in!! Thanks for sharing!! 💖💙💖💙💖

This was really cool Jay. I've always been interested in trains but don't know alot about it. Thanks for teaching me something new today.

That is amazing to see JP, love the video.

The 1950s my father worked on the P.R.R. THE GG1 Was was on the rails then !! Dad worked out of Potomac yard from 1949 till 1992 !! Runs north on 3 days road trips !!!

Good stuff man. Love it.

Fantastic!

Amazing find! I love stuff like this. Nice video.

One thing I would have like to have seen included in this video would have been a closeup of the plate on the front of the locomotive. Appearantly the overhead electrical lines are long gone. I remember Lionel Trains used to produce a model of these trains. Thank you so much for producing this video. It is truly awesome !!!

Excellent video and thank you for sharing!

I got to see the one that was at Cooperstown Junction years ago. GG-1’s we’re bad to the bone! Glad I got to see one up close.

Really liked the haunting music and photos in the intro ..wonderful old relics .(sad to see the decay )..I guess some long-ago hobo does not like y''all messing around his train : } ....Love the wooden box car and the tiny letter box ..Always learn something from a JPVid ..Thank you : }

I've been down to this spot. I was working as a sales rep and decided to take a shortcut and came up a bunch of old railroad engines and stock. There was another location with a lot more old equipment down there, that was visible from the back roads. That was 20 years ago. I was finally down that way a few years back and couldn't find the location. I might do a map check and do another visit this spring.

What a beautiful piece of history that I would love to see restored and in a museum, thanks for a great tour.

Wow what beautiful finds! The whole SD card thing is really spooky. Thanks for sharing. And Nic.... how could you have not told me about this video??? Lol

Truly fascinating!!!!!! Wow!! Thank you for an amazing video! 🙏🏻

Love all your stuff

That’s the best way to find em JP. They haven’t rusted away and nature hasn’t claimed them too badly yet. Hopefully,& some can be saved. It’s like a classic car hoard some can be saved buy t all are neat to look at what it was like back in the day..

What a real find JP. Amazing and so interesting to know some history, I love watching this but feel sad to sit it forgotten. Hope it will be saved….👍😊❤️

Very cool! Imagine seeing these locomotives running back in the day

Great video brother and great photos at the end of this video and beautiful piano music with the pictures.

Fascinating! Only time anything happened to my phone and camera like your experience, I was on a tour of the orphanage at Gettysburg. 😉

Awesome video thanks jp 👍

What a cool find. I bet it was amazing to take in. GG1s are such a cool engine. I am glad they are owned by by a railroad. I hope that one day that something will happen with them.

Loved this video. Love the GG-1s, such beauties, only wish the UK had these styled locos...

Good show as always x

The GG-1's are beautiful locomotives.

Great video!

At the New York State Fair, they used (I don't think it's there anymore) to be a GG1 on display there, Amtrak 926. I remember as a kid just looking at it every single time in awe, because those locomotives were just absolutely massive. It still amazes me how just, massive they are, even for a Locomotive.

Fantastic JP🚂 Heartbreaking to see these in this shabby condition💔🚂 OMG that's a freaky coincidence! Sorry for your technical difficulties. At least you noticed it before leaving the location..

Omgoodness I wish I was there with you. I love, the old trains, and the old NYC.

What a find! GG 1 a are my favorite locomotives after covered wagons! How sad that they are collecting rust in some forgotten location! Hopefully someone will see this video & pull these classics from their grave @ restore them.

Such a great find. Thank you for sharing with us, these are beautiful

I must have driven buy it at least once but never knew it. What an amazing find !!

So interesting, thanks for the history.

Very Cool !

Extremely interesting and informative video, I was impressed with your respect to the current owners and it's history, THANK YOU!

Those GG1s have been there a long time. I have photos of them from the early 90s when they were on the siding along the mainline. It looks like they were relocated to the old spur that goes northward. Hate to see how far they have decayed since then. But they are survivors for sure. Still hope one day some restoration can be done and they are put on display for the public to enjoy

Thank you for another great video! While I didn’t get a great look at the wooden boxcar, I think it may be what is called a ‘reefer.’ A reefer would have been filled with perishables and ice would be deposited through vents in the roof and that’s what kept the contents from spoiling. Looking forward to the next train video!

It is definitely sad to see the condition of these beautiful artifacts of history. But is cool to see them in Penn Central livery still. After watching this, now I want to run my PC GG1. 😁 What a great find and thank both of you for bringing these to us.

Amazing thanks for sharing. Hope your better. Im getting over covid myself and its been rough

Gorgeous old ghosts. Thanks for sharing this. I have the Hallmark Christmas ornaments version of the Lionel trains interpretation of these. Wish I lived a little closer to make a pilgrimage.

Wow awesome find

Very cool

JP, really enjoyed your awesome and cool train video! Those are really cool looking especially the mail car!

I know where these GG1's are. The one with the grease notations was bought by the Henry Ford Museum. Last time I was there it was gone. The other one is privately owned. With the owners permission and a guide, I was able to climb inside. Fascinating. The engineers area space is quite small. I assume they were all thin. I'm 200# and had trouble moving around.

Hi from Arkansas Jay! Another great video; thank you! It's been a long time since I've seen a GG1. Those poor babies are in rough shape. 🙁 A little trivia for you.. The GG1's were known as "The silent killers" being all electric. People crossing the tracks where there were no crossings that would require the engineers to sound the horn never knew what hit them. And the Penn Central logo was nicknamed "The worm and noodle love affair" logo. One more thing about your equipment malfunction. Look up Mercury Retrograde. We're going through one right now, and they frequently cause all kinds of strange things to go wrong with computers, cell phones, cameras, etc. Take care, and keep the videos coming!

Hi! Great scene, report and video! The GG1 locomotive are unique! Great catch! New subscriber. Greetings from Italy. Stefano

Now that was an awesome find..

Loved how the cab in the middle so they can run it either way .

Wonderful😱

According to wikipedia, one is 4932 and the other is 4934 ( Amtrak numbers ) and the PRR numbers are 4909 and 4917. As for the location, wikipedia only shows who owns them and where the owners are located., not he location of the loco. The location is known and their pictures are on the web and on Google Earth. Sad to see those two GG1s rusting away.

Thanks for sharing. They were discontinued from service due to cancer causing chemicals in the transformers or large capacitors used in the electrical propulsion system. They were extremely powerful engines. I believe there is one you can tour in Harrisburg, PA. I do remember seeing these on the old PRR mainline between Philadelphia, Lancaster & Harrisburg PA. You would see the sparks ⚡️ flying between the electric lines and the Pantographs (sp?)

Thank you for taking us; incredible American workmanship from yesteryear. I also hope they get restored! Thanks again, JP; hope you’re back to good health…🌝

Great find. Sad to see it just rotting away. I wonder what the back story is on this equipment.

Love it! 👍

Amazing

Wow! The GG1 is a giant beast of a machine.