Great Northern Y-1

The Great Northern Railway's class Y-1 comprised eight electric locomotives with AAR 1-C+C-1 wheel arrangements. The locomotives were used on the 73-mile (117 km) electrified portion of the railroad, from Wenatchee, Washington to Skykomish, Washington, including the Cascade Tunnel.

Great Northern Railway Y-1
Pennsylvania Railroad FF2
A GN Y-1 locomotive in 1927
Type and origin
Power typeElectric
BuilderAlcoGeneral Electric
ModelGE: 1-C+C-1-410/518-E6GE290A-11000V
Build date1927 (2), 1928 (2), 1930 (4)
Total produced8
Specifications
Configuration:
  AAR1-C+C-1
  UIC(1′Co)+(Co1′)
  Commonwealth1Co+Co1
Gauge4 ft 8 12 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge
Adhesive weightc. 410,000 lb (186,000 kg; 186.0 t)
Loco weight5010–5011: 518,250 lb (235,100 kg; 235.1 t)
5012–5017: 527,200 lb (239,100 kg; 239.1 t)
Electric system/s11 kV AC, 25 Hz overhead
Current pickup(s)Pantograph
TransmissionMotor–generator supplied direct current fed to 6 traction motors.
Performance figures
Power output3,000 hp (2.24 MW) (continuous)
3,300 hp (2.46 MW) (one hour)
Career
Operators
Class
  • GN: Y-1
  • PRR FF2
Numbers
  • GN: 5010–5017
  • PRR: 1–7
Last run
  • GN: 1956
  • PRR: 1966
Scrapped1957 (1), 1960 (1), 1962 (1), 1966 (5)
DispositionAll scrapped

The 3,000 horsepower (2.2 MW) locomotives were built at Schenectady, New York, with car bodies manufactured by American Locomotive Company and electrical components supplied by General Electric. They used motor-generator sets to rectify the alternating current line voltage into direct current for their traction motors.

The GN numbered the units 5010–5017 and classified them Y-1. After being involved in a wreck at Tonga, Washington in July 1945, the 5011 was rebuilt with a streamlined appearance and EMD F-unit cabs; the GN reclassified it as Y-1a.

In 1956, the GN dieselized operations through the Cascade Tunnel. The electrical system was decommissioned, and the Y-1 locomotives were sold to the Pennsylvania Railroad, who classified them as FF2. GN 5011 was broken up for spares, and the remaining seven locomotives were overhauled and converted to PRR standards and then placed into service, being assigned numbers 1–7 on the PRR. They lasted a few more years on the PRR, and were all scrapped between 1957 and 1966.

Fleet roster

ALCO serialGE serialBuild dateGN No.PRR No.Scrap date
6702210160August 1927501011966
6702310161September 192750111957
6754210537September 1928501221962
6754310538July 1928501331966
6827211149August 1930501441960
6827311150August 1930501551966
6827411151August 1930501661966
6827511152August 1930501771966

References

  • Keyes, Norman C., Jr.; Middleton, Kenneth R. (Autumn 1980). "The Great Northern Railway Company: All-Time Locomotive Roster, 1861–1970". Railroad History. Boston, Mass.: Railway and Locomotive Historical Society. 143: 117. ISSN 0090-7847. JSTOR 43523930.
  • Pennsylvania Railroad. "FF2". PRR Locomotive Diagrams. Retrieved 2006-01-05. (Simple drawing and specifications, for general reference by railroad staff).
  • Staufer, Alvin F.; Pennypacker, Bert (1962). Pennsy Power: Steam and Electric Locomotives of the Pennsylvania Railroad, 1900-1957. Research by Martin Flattley. Carollton, Ohio: Alvin F. Staufer. ISBN 978-0-9445-1304-0. pages 248–253
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