A PHOTOGRAPHIC RECOLLECTION OF ALL
425
PRR K4s CLASS LOCOMOTIVES
CLASS K4s 4-6-2 Specs: Built 1914-1928 **
Cylinders-27"x28"
** Drivers-80" **
Steam Pressure-205 lbs. ** Total Weight-308,890
lbs.
**
Tractive Force-44,460 lbs. ** Total Built-425
** Last
Seen
in Regular Operation-K4 #5351 in Nov. 1957.
********************
In 1914 the Pennsylvania
Railroad
built,
what
many
people believe to be, one of the most famous
Locomotives to
have ever roamed
the rails, the K4s Class 4-6-2 Pacific. It was
so
successful that
the Pennsy had 424 more built. The original
K4s,
#1737 of 1914, was not actually designed from
the
success of
it's
predecessors, the
.................PRR Class K2 4-6-2
Pacifics
of 1910-1911 or the................
PRR Class K3 4-6-2 Pacifics of 1913, but
rather
from,
the important, 1 and only Fat Boilered
....................................
PRR Class K29 4-6-2 Pacific of 1911.
They
were
built in both
the PRR's own Shops in Altoona, Pa and at The
Baldwin
Locomotive Works in Philadelphia, Pa. Through
out
their years of service,
they were basically the same Locomotives they
were
when built.
There were however some modifications and
upgrades that were applied during years of
active
service.
These included experimental valve gears,
stokers,
tender upgrades, post war modifications and one
of my
favorites, the Streamlined Shroudings of the
late
1930's and early 1940's. But still, overall the
K4s's
remained as the PRR Builders intended, a very
dependable work horse. Many lasted into the
mid 1950's. Some even lasted longer than the
locomotives
that were designed and built to take their
place, ie:
the T-1 4-4-4-4's of the 1940's.
As
you may know there are two K4s's, #1361 and
#3750
that survived. Both are
pictured just below during their years in
regular
service. Number 1361 is presently being rebuilt
from the ground up in the shops at
Steamtown in Scranton Pa. Major work has
already been
accomplished. A new Backhead Plate, Smoke Box,
Boiler
Repairs and the like have been completed.
With more Grant Funding in hand it is hopeful
she
will be completed and see the
rails again sometime in the year 2001. (Update: Restoration continues on the K4s. Drivers have been shipped out for repair and other work on the Boiler is ongoing. Completion date is unknown. Lots of work remains, but 1361 will see the rails again, thanks to the volunteers who are making this possible). The
other
remaining K4s, #3750, is
on static display at the Railroad Museum of
Pennsylvania in
Strasburg, Pa. She has
been cosmeticaly restored. That is it. Only 2
of the
425 that were built.
#1361#3750
********************
I have assembled a rather large collection of
PRR
Photographs.
Many
are
of PRR Class K4s Locomotives. I will attempt to
list
these
locomotives
here. I will include many of the variations as
mentioned
above as
well.
So when I am done roughly 440 photos will be on
file
here. Enjoy the pics!
#3750