my uncle purchased in April a BLI light 2-8-2 for PRR, recently he has decided to keep the locomotive in PRR and wants my help in designing a PRR themed layout, including help in developing his roster… the problem is that when i did research on the USRA mikados revived by the i found that the PRR rejected them and they were turned to other railroads… (my guess is because of the lack of a Belpaire firebox) so I have to ask if anyone knows if the PRR used any USRA 2-8-2’s or if BLI saw a popular locomotive and a popular roadname and put them together just to sell stock… Thanks, Tom
Tom
Interesting subject for PRR fans. The PRR did receive 32 Mikado from the USRA and sold them off after the Government control ended. That said, the PRR took control of the GR&I which owned five USRA Mikes and they became the L2 class number 9627 to 9631 on the PRR and were not converted to the Belpair boiler type. This little froup of PRR oddities would stay grouped together in Ohio for former GR&I lines for the rest of their service life. \
It is correct to use the USRA Mikado’s for the numbers listed above and model the PRR. Happy USRA Mikado’s.
I would suggest that you purchase some PRR motive power books also if you are going to model the PRR.
CZ
Herron Rail has three DVDs entitled ‘Pennsylvania Glory’ showing all of the steam and diesel locomotives owned by the Pennsylvania over the years that would make a good Christmas gift for your uncle and your own edification.
https://www.ribbonrail.com/HerronRail/index.php?cPath=21&osCsid=8j9ob55hush1gg79ud1252tf06
The PRR made it as far west as St. Louis, and I believe they ran Mikes in the prairie lands of Illinois, Indiana, and perhaps Ohio. There are several shots of Mikados in the above referenced videos.
Note that the L2s were somewhat Pennsyfied with raised headlight, round number plate on the front and freight step pilot. It shouldn’t be too hard to modify your BLI model in those areas, if necessary.
thanks everyone i knew a little of the GR&I 2-8-2’s, i was not aware if they were put in a prr paint scheme though, i live on the east side of Michigan and so does my uncle, so this is really a blessing for him, he was split between a PRR and a Michigan themed layout, so this will work out nicely, fortunately for me he is a “good enough” modeler, so i wont have to modify the locomotive for him, i too have one of the BLI 2-8-2’s, but mine is currently in B&O waiting several parts and a bigger tender for a repaint into Pere Marquette. thanks again everyone, Tom