Regardless of the Depression, the Pennsylvania Railroad was pressing forward a mammoth electrification program on its Eastern lines. By 1935, the PRR had selected a new locomotive that would remain its symbol for decades: the mighty, powerful, fast, efficient and ageless GG-1. The first prototype came in 1934 and won hands-down in trials. In the same year 57 were produced jointly by BLW, GE, Westinghouse and PRR's own Altoona works. The locomotive weighed almost 210 tons, was more than 24 m long and was powered by six pairs of twin traction motors with 4620 continuous hp (8000 hp short-term). The economical speed was set about 140 km/h. A touch of genius was brought by Raymond Loewy, famous industrial designer. In all, 139 GG-1's were produced, the last one came in 1943.
