Pennsylvania Railroad K29 class

Last updated
K29s class
Type and origin
Power typeSteam
Builder Alco-Schenectady
Build date1911
Total produced1
Specifications
Configuration:
   Whyte 4-6-2
Gauge 4 ft 8+12 in (1,435 mm) [1]
Driver dia.80 in (2,000 mm) [2]
Wheelbase:
  Engine36 ft 5 in (11,100 mm) [1]
Loco weight317,550 lb (144,038 kg) [3]
Tender weight175,700 lb (79,696 kg) [1]
Total weight492,700 lb (223,485 kg)
Tender typeClass 80-P-83 [4]
Fuel typecoal [1]
Fuel capacity14 tons [4]
Water cap.8,280 imp gal (37,600 L; 9,940 US gal)
Firebox:
  TypeRadial stay
  Grate area54 sq ft (5.0 m2)
Heating surface:
  Firebox253 sq ft (23.5 m2)
  Total surface4,625 sq ft (430 m2) [1]
Valve gear Walschaerts [2]
Performance figures
Tractive effort 43,375 lbf (193 kN) [3]
Career
Operators Pennsylvania Railroad
Class K29s
Number in class1
Numbers3395
LocalePRR Pittsburgh Division, Pennsylvania, United States
Retired1929
DispositionScrapped in 1929

The Pennsylvania Railroad's class K29s comprised a single experimental 4-6-2 "Pacific" type steam locomotive. Constructed by Alco-Schenectady, it was given road number 3395. Although only one demonstrator was constructed, the K29s would become the basis for the highly successful K4s Pacifics and L1s Mikados. The lone example spent most of its life on the PRR's Pittsburgh division main line and was retired around 1929. [4]

Contents

History

The sole K29s, PRR 3395, was constructed by the American Locomotive Company's Schenectady works in 1911 as a demonstrator engine for the Pennsylvania Railroad. The success of the single experimental K29s lead to the development of the equally successful K4s class Pacific and L1s class Mikado locomotives. [4] Despite its success, the K29s was one of only a handful of locomotives constructed by Alco Schenectady as the PRR preferred its own Altoona Works as well the Baldwin Locomotive Works in Philadelphia for large scale locomotive production. [3] The sole K29s spent its entire operating life on the PRR's Pittsburg Division main line pulling limited passenger trains and being used as a helper engine. Rumors circulated stating the K29s was able to haul 13 full sized passenger cars unassisted on an uphill grade between Gallitzin, Pennsylvania and Altoona, Pennsylvania. By 1929 however, the K29s was stricken from the PRR's locomotive roster. [4]

Specifications

The K29s had six driving wheels measuring 80 inches (203 cm) in diameter each and a 36 feet 5 inches (11.10 m) total wheelbase. The total weight including engine and tender was 492,700 pounds (223,500 kg), while the engine alone weighed 317,550 pounds (144,040 kg). [1] The K29s used the Walschaerts valve gear, with 27 in × 28 in (686 mm × 711 mm) cylinders. [1] [2] The tractive effort was 43,375 pounds-force (193 kN). [3] It also had a total firebox heating surface of 4,625 square feet (429.7 m2) and a fire grate of 66.1 square feet (6.14 m2). [1] It was paired with a Class 80-P-83 tender that could carry 8,280 US gallons (31,300 L; 6,890 imp gal) of water and 14 tons of soft coal. [4] [1] The K29s had an unusually massive boiler for its time, measuring between 81.25 inches (2,064 mm) and 89 inches (2,300 mm) in diameter and 22 feet (6.7 m) in length from firebox to smokebox door. [4] [1] Most of the basic specifications can also be found on the succeeding K4s Pacifics, which was directly developed from the K29s. [5]

Related Research Articles

Locomotive classification on the Pennsylvania Railroad took several forms. Early on, steam locomotives were given single-letter classes. As the 26 letters were quickly assigned, that scheme was abandoned for a more complex system. This was used for all of the PRR's steam locomotives, and — with the exception of the final type bought — all electric locomotives also used this scheme.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pennsylvania Railroad class B6</span>

The Pennsylvania Railroad's class B6 was its most successful class of switcher locomotive, or as the PRR termed them "shifter". The PRR preferred the 0-6-0 wheel arrangement for larger switchers, whereas on other railroads the 0-8-0 gained preference. The PRR generally used 2-8-0s when larger power was required.

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The PRR S1 class steam locomotive was a single experimental duplex locomotive of the Pennsylvania Railroad. It was designed to demonstrate the advantages of duplex drives espoused by Baldwin Chief Engineer Ralph P. Johnson. The S1 class was the largest steam locomotive ever built. The streamlined Art Deco styled shell of the locomotive was designed by Raymond Loewy.

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Class D16 on the Pennsylvania Railroad was their final development of the 4-4-0 "American" type of steam locomotive. A total of 429 of these locomotives were built at the PRR's Juniata Shops, spread across five subclasses; some had 80 in (2,030 mm) diameter driving wheels for service in level territory, while others had 68 in (1,730 mm) drivers for mountainous terrain. In the pre-1895 scheme, these locomotives were second class L.

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The PRR class D14 was a 4-4-0 steam locomotive built for the Pennsylvania Railroad. They were originally designated class P in the PRR's pre-1895 classification scheme. Twenty-two locomotives were built at the PRR's Altoona Works ; six in 1893 with 78-inch (1,981 mm) driving wheels, and sixteen in 1894 with 80-inch (2,032 mm) drivers, classified D14a. Later, all sixteen class D14a were rebuilt to class D14b with 68-inch (1,727 mm) drivers for secondary service after they were replaced in top-flight express service, while three of the six class D14 were similarly rebuilt to class D14c.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pennsylvania Railroad 1361</span> Preserved PRR K4 class 4-6-2 locomotive

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pennsylvania Railroad class G5</span> United States historic place

The Pennsylvania Railroad G5 is a class of 4-6-0 steam locomotives built by the PRR's Juniata Shops in the mid-late 1920s. It was designed for passenger trains, particularly on commuter lines, and became a fixture on suburban railroads until the mid-1950s.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Wright, Roydon Vincent; Swift, Porter La Forrest (1912). Locomotive Dictionary: Definitions and Illustrations of American Locomotives, Their Parts and Equipment, Together with Typical Illustrations of Machine Tools and Devices Used in Their Maintenance and Repair. Simmons-Boardman Publishing Company.
  2. 1 2 3 Test Department, Pennsylvania Railroad (1915). Locomotive Testing Plant at Altoona, Pa: Bulletins. Altoona, Pennsylvania. p. 5.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  3. 1 2 3 4 Staufer & Pennypacker 1962, p. 146.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Staufer & Pennypacker 1962, p. 144.
  5. Staufer & Pennypacker 1962, p. 159.

Further reading