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The AEM7 was conceived in the mid- 1970s as a successor to the famous Pennsylvania Railroad GG1PRR GG1 number 4890 on display at the National Railroad Museum in Green Bay, WI. The Pennsylvania Railroad's GG1 class of electric locomotives were built between 1934 to 1943, with a total of 139 units constructed. They remained in service with the PRR's electric locomotive. A prototype design was sent to the US from Sweden in 1977For the album by Ash, see 1977 (album). Events January 1 First woman Episcopal priest ordained January 6 EMI sacks the Sex Pistols January 18 Scientists identify a previously unknown bacterium as the cause of the mysterious " legionnaire's disease" Januar. This would the base for the AEM7.
By 1978 General Motors Electro-Motive Division (EMD) began production. The bodies came from the Budd Company , with electrical, trucks and mechanical parts imported from Sweden. The first AEM7 was delivered to Amtrak and went into service in 1979Events January-February January 1 Sino-American relations: United States and the People's Republic of China establish diplomatic relations January 4 State of Ohio agrees to pay $675,000 to families of dead and injured in Kent State University shootings..
In 19801980 is a leap year starting on Tuesday. Events January-February January 1- April 1 National steel strike in United Kingdom January 1 Changes to the Swedish Act of Succession creates Victoria of Sweden, Crown Princess over her younger brother January 5 He to 1982Events January January 6 William Bonin is convicted of being the "freeway killer". January 8 AT&T agrees to divest itself of twenty-two subdivisions January 11 Mark Thatcher, son of the British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, disappears in the Sahara du more AEM7's came in a larger order. This helped retire the last GG1's from regular service. Additonal orders for more AEM7's came for a total of 54, which were completed by 1987.
On January 4January 4 is the 4th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. There are 361 days remaining (362 in leap years). Events 871 Battle of Reading Ethelred of Wessex defeats Danish invasion army 1493 Christopher Columbus leaves the New World, ending his first, 1987, 900 and 903 were damaged in a fatal collision with a Conrail freight in Maryland. They have since been removed from the active roster.
In 1999 work began on a rebuild program for the AEM7. The AEM7s are to be rebuilt at Amtrak's shops in Wilmington, Delaware. Once rebuilt, they will have AC traction, improved propulsion and enriched torque.