Pennsylvania Railroad class L2s

Class of 5 USRA light 2-8-2 locomotives
4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm)
Career
OperatorsGrand Rapids and Indiana Railroad,
Pennsylvania Railroad
ClassL2s
Numbers20006-20038 (PRR)

The Pennsylvania Railroad's class L2s[1] was a class of USRA Light Mikados originally purchased (1919) for the subsidiary Grand Rapids and Indiana Railroad. Similar in size to the home-designed and built L1s, the L2s was easily distinguishable by their radial-stay fireboxes and Hodges fabricated trailing trucks. They were built by ALCO. All were retired in 1948.

History

After World War I, the Pennsylvania Railroad needed a lighter 2-8-2 type steam locomotive to handle lighter freight trains on the system. In 1919, 38 locomotives (GR&I 106-112 and PRR 2006-2038) were purchased while the railroad was under USRA control. Alco, Baldwin, and Lima filled the order. Most were sold in 1923 (2006-2038) to the SLSF (Frisco) and MP (Missouri Pacific). Five were retained to run on the Grand Rapids & Indiana and renumbered in 1921 to PRR 9627-9631. All 5 locomotives 9627 to 9631 remaining with the Pennsy were photographed at some stage, most in the 1930s.[2]

Retirement

The five locos remained in service through World War II, until being replaced and dropped from the roster between March and November 1948.[3] Frisco 4018 (former PRR 20030) is displayed at Birmingham, Al.

Train model

LGB produced a USRA Light Mikado from 2001 to 2004 in G scale in multiple fallen flag railroad names including product number 21872, Pennsylvania Railroad No. 2809. In HO scale, Märklin produced both a 2 rail version (TRIX brand)[4] in 2004 (product ID 22804) and a 3-rail version (product ID 37976)[5] in 2011. Both of these faithfully replicate the Pennsylvania lettering and paint scheme of the inter-war years.

References

  1. ^ "Pennsylvania L2s". Retrieved February 21, 2020.
  2. ^ "Pennsylvania L2s photos, dates and sources". Retrieved February 21, 2020.
  3. ^ "Pennsylvania L2s #9627 photo and comments". Retrieved February 21, 2020.
  4. ^ "TRIX 22804". Retrieved February 21, 2020.
  5. ^ "Maerklin 37976". Retrieved February 21, 2020.
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Pennsylvania Railroad locomotives
   
A (0-4-0):
B (0-6-0):
C (0-8-0):
  • C1
  • C29
  • C30
  • C31
D (4-4-0):
E (4-4-2):
F (2-6-0):
  • F1
  • F2
  • F3
  • F21
  • F22
  • F23
  • F24
  • F25
  • F26
  • F27
  • F30
  • F31
  • F61
G (4-6-0):
  • G1
  • G2
  • G3
  • G4
  • G5
  • G6
  • G53
H (2-8-0):
I (2-10-0):
J (2-6-2 and 2-10-4):
K (4-6-2):
L (2-8-2):
M (4-8-2):
N (2-10-2):
O (4-4-4):
P (4-6-4):
Q (4-6-4-4 and 4-4-6-4):
R (4-8-4):
S (6-4-4-6 and 6-8-6):
T (4-4-4-4):
Articulated steam locomotives:
Articulated electric locomotives:
Non-standard: