Classic Trains "Mileposts" blog, 516/17:
PRR 4935, the first true heritage unit
Everybody started pinching themselves several years ago when “heritage units,” resplendent in long-retired paint schemes, began arriving from the shops of Union Pacific, Norfolk Southern, and Amtrak. Nothing draws photographers to trackside like word that the NS “Wabash” unit or the UP “Katy” diesel is in town.
It’s been an amazing gesture by all three railroads. UP fielded six Commemorative Locomotives, of them all SD70ACe units, painted in liveries honoring UP predecessors in 2005-06. To mark its 40th anniversary in 2011, Amtrak got into the game with five Genesis units painted in older liveries. In 2012, NS put 20 of its Heritage Locomotives into service, a mix of SD70AC3 and ES44AC diesels, also painted for predecessor lines. Regional carriers like Pan Am Railways and Iowa Interstate have fielded heritage units as well.
Amtrak GG1 4935 — freshly restored to its original Pennsylvania Railroad color scheme — basks in the sun on May 15, 1977, before its christening ceremony at Washington Union Station. William E. Hopkins photo
Actually, all of these locomotives are late to a party that started in Washington, D.C., 40 years ago this week. That’s because what could be considered the first heritage unit was former Pennsylvania Railroad GG1 No. 4935, unveiled by Amtrak in its fresh PRR paint on May 15, 1977, in a memorable ceremony at Washington Union Station.
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