PRR K4s 3847

[Notch 8]

Pennsylvania K4s # 3847 being used as "Protect" engine for westbound trains @ Fort Wayne Indiana September 12, 1948

Franklin System of steam distribution Type E, No gearbox between frame as on T1 5399 crank pin activates mechanism
Screw Type- Greatest Savings and most efficient in coal & water, Simplified - Accessible for Inspection. All performed
well, but were difficult to maintain.

Attempts were made to replace the K4s, including the K5 and the T1 duplex locomotive, but none was really successful,
and the K4s hauled the vast majority of express passenger trains until replaced by diesel locomotives. The K4s was not
powerful enough for the heavier trains it often pulled from the mid-1930s onward, so they were often double or even
triple headed. This was effective, but expensive—several crews were needed. The PRR did have the extra locomotives,
many having been displaced by electrification.

It is recognized as the State Steam Locomotive of Pennsylvania. On December 18, 1987, Pennsylvania Governor Robert
P. Casey signed into law House Bill No. 1211 naming the PRR K4 as the “official” state locomotive


Picture taken by Allen Bauer

[rrnut282]

It's hard to top a classic.
I wonder why Indiana didn't claim the K4 as they were built in Fort Wayne as well as Altoona. One built in the fort set a speed record.

[D.L.]

What a great reminder to the talent Al had. A nice tribute to him-sure do miss him.

[cjberndt]

PRR built 4-4-0, 4-6-0, 2-8-0 and possibly other locomotive types in Ft. Wayne, but no K-class 4-6-2 locos were built here.

PRR class E2 4-4-2 #7002 set a new US speed record of 127.1 MPH between Crestline and Ft. Wayne, June 11, 1905. It was built at Altoona in 1902 and scrapped in 1935. Here is 7002 and engineer McCarthy, taken the day of the record run.

Craig

[rrnut282]

Well, dang, all this time I thought it was a pacific built here. I stand corrected.

[cjberndt]

It's my understanding that the K2 4-6-2 and the N2s 2-10-2 were designed in Ft. Wayne, but not produced here. Some or all of the E2 4-4-2 locos were rebuilt here with superheaters and reclassified as E7, including record-setter #7002.

Craig