PRR 520
Coordinates: 39°58′56″N 76°9′40″W / 39.98222°N 76.16111°W
| PRR 520 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Type and origin | |
| Power type | Steam |
| Builder | Baldwin Locomotive Works |
| Build date | December 1916 |
| Specifications | |
| Configuration | 2-8-2 |
| Gauge | 4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) |
| Driver diameter | 62 in (1,575 mm) |
| Length | 82 ft 1⁄4 in (25.0 m) |
| Weight on drivers | 232,500 lb (105,500 kg) |
| Locomotive weight | 324,700 lb (147,300 kg) |
| Tender weight | 772,000 lb (350,000 kg) |
| Boiler pressure | 205 psi (1,413 kPa) |
| Heating surface: – Firebox | 305 sq ft (28 m2) |
| Superheater area | 943 sq ft (88 m2) |
| Performance figures | |
| Tractive effort | 61,465 lbf (273 kN) |
| Factor of adhesion | 3.78 |
| Career | |
| Operator(s) | Pennsylvania Railroad |
| Class | L1s |
| Retired | October 20, 1957 |
| Current owner | |
| Official name | Mikado Freight Locomotive No. 520 |
| Designated | December 17, 1979 |
| Part of | Pennsylvania Railroad Rolling Stock Thematic Resource |
| Reference no. | 79002269[1] |
PRR 520 is a Pennsylvania Railroad L1s steam locomotive located in the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania, outside of Strasburg, Pennsylvania in the United States. It was built in 1916 and had its boiler replaced after an explosion in 1942. 520 was retired from service in 1957 and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979.
Background
The L1s is a class of 2-8-2 steam locomotives that was developed in 1914 to replace the H9s-class. The L1s used boilers identical to the ones eventually used for Pennsylvania Railroad's famed K4s-class steam locomotives.[2] Most L1s locomotives were moved to other duties when the I1s was introduced in 1924.
History
520 was built by the Baldwin Locomotive Works in December 1916. While pulling freight from Altoona, Pennsylvania to Conway, Pennsylvania on November 14, 1942, the boiler on 520 exploded near Cresson.[3] The explosion killed both the engineer and the brakeman, injured the fireman and conductor, and shattered windows on a nearby house.[4] Two occupants of the house were also injured by scalding water and flying embers, which also set a rug on fire. The force of the blast derailed the tender and six tank cars.[4] 520 was eventually repaired and placed back into service.
On October 20, 1957, 520 pulled a "railfan special" out of Baltimore, Maryland from Enola to Northumberland, Pennsylvania.[5] After a round trip from Northumberland to Enola, it was retired to the Pennsylvania Railroad's collection of historical locomotives. 520 was donated to the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission in December 1979 by the Pennsylvania Railroad's successor Penn Central.[6] It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on December 17, 1979.
See also
- List of boiler explosions
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania
References
- ↑ "NPS Focus". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. Retrieved March 11, 2010.
- ↑ Stauffer 1962, p. 51.
- ↑ Hart & Zacher 1978, sec. 7, p. 8.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Rail engineer dies in wreck". Pittsburgh Press. November 15, 1942. § 3, p. 9. Retrieved March 16, 2010.
- ↑ Stauffer 1962, p. 53.
- ↑ "Motive Power Roster" (PDF). Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania. Retrieved March 20, 2010.
Sources
- Hart, George M; Zacher, Susan M (March 1978). "Pennsylvania Railroad Rolling Stock Thematic Resource" (PDF). National Register of Historic Places Inventory—Nomination Form. Retrieved March 16, 2010.
- Stauffer, Alvin W (1962). Pennsy Power. Carrollton, OH: Standard Print & Publishing. LCCN 62020878.
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