DDI Electric Locomotive No. 36
Why it's listed
Built for third-rail direct-current service into Pennsylvania Station in New York, this electric locomotive is a 4-4-0+0-4-4 design dated 1911, with its design work placed in 1909. It consists of two electric units permanently coupled back to back, each with its own main frame, running gear, boxcab and leading truck. Each unit carried a 2000 horsepower Westinghouse 315-A motor, and the locomotive operated on 600-volt direct current. Mechanical construction was carried out at the railroad's Juniata Shops, while Westinghouse supplied the electrical equipment. Its one-piece cab could be removed completely for shopping, a feature used on all later electric classes of the railroad. Its outline resembled an electrified steam locomotive, reflecting its position between two competing forms of motive power. By 1911, 33 locomotive pairs had been built. It is the only known surviving example of the type, which gives it its importance within the railroad's rolling stock.
Significance in brief: The entry describes the DDI as a classic of electric locomotive design and the only known surviving example of its type. Its one-piece cab, removable for shopping, was used on all succeeding electric classes, and its appearance as an electrified steam locomotive marks it as transitional between two competing forms of motive power.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 79002266, listed December 17, 1979. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-haiku-5-5, prompt v1.1-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | E of Strasburg, Strasburg |
|---|---|
| County | Lancaster County |
| Listed | December 17, 1979 |
| Reference number | 79002266 |
| Resource type | Structure |
| Architect / builder | Pennsylvania Railroad Juniata Shops (mechanical construction); Westinghouse (electrical equipment) |
| Areas of significance | Commerce, Transportation, Invention |
| Level of significance | National |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Only known surviving example of its type. |
| Acreage | 0.1 |
| Coordinates | 39.98242, -76.16077 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 79002266.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7120447
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.