I recently obtained a Pacific Pike USRA Heavy Pacific at an auction without any identity. Unfortunately the label on the original box was long gone. Details as follows; brow-mounted Elesco feed water heater, Baker valve gear, solid pilot wheels, large flat-sided tender with Commonwealth six-wheel trucks. Could someone please provide the RR? Also, are there any restored USRA Heavy Pacifics currently operating? Many thanks.
That’s an Erie K5a, a Baldwin 1923 copy of the USRA heavy Pacific. I think. (Source: pages 146-148 of Kalmbach’s Steam Locomotive Cyclopedia)
Ed
As Ed said, all of the original USRA heavy Pacifics were built for the Erie. However there were hundreds of USRA copies built for many railroads. If you are intrested in steam, the Locomotive Cyclopedia is a worthwhile investment.
Good luck, have fun, Rob
There were a lot of USRA copies built - but only the Weary Erie ever owned a USRA heavy Pacific, original or copy. The originals had built-up trailing trucks. The 1923 copies were built with Delta cast trailing trucks.
The USRA light Pacific wasn’t widely popular, either. But, then, the USRA was mostly concerned with moving freight, and their locomotive-building priorities reflected that fact.
Chuck (modeling Central Japan in September, 1964)
No. The Erie engines were all scrapped. The nearest thing you’ll find to a USRA heavy 4-6-2 these days is Atlanta & West Point 290, which is a close copy of the USRA design. I don’t know if it’s currently operating.
Cheers,
Mark.
Many thanks to all. Not sure what I will do with the model (it was very cheap) as I cannot come up with any sort of Canadian connection (I live in Ontario and model 80’s/90’s CN). However, with some work I believe that it would provide the proper basis for the beautifull Southern Ps4!
AARRRGGGGHHHH! NO, NO NO NOOOO!
You’ve got a perfectly nice Erie loco. It’ll look great painted and lettered. If you want the Ps4, trade your Erie in to someone who is an Erie fan and get the Southern loco. They show up on the site on occasion. I totally agree the Ps4 is a stunning beauty, but to chop shop the Erie…??? Sniff!
Ed
What’s a fella like you acquiring a model 70 years older than the era you model? What were you thinking!? And maybe you can help explain why I purchased TWO MP15s when I’m modeling the early 1950s.
Mark