Hi, What is the latest with PRR K4s 1361? I know it in the process of going back to Altoona. Is it going to be just a cosmetic restoration? Having it run again would be great (I got to ride behind it in 1988) but in my opinion a stuffed & mounted K4 in Altoona for the world to see is better than it being in pieces in a National Farce shop building. (That boiler there is from the famous K4. Those wheels over there are from the K4 (etc)) If you want to see an intact K4 one must go to Strasburg and the Railroad Museum of PA.
I can look at the PRR 1361 any time I like. It resides on my HO layout. ROFL.
I would love to see the original running somewhere.
The little nippers of today need to experience what happens when they stand near the tracks when one of these goes past at 70 mph followed by a shower of cinders.It only has to happen once and they’ll never forget it.
Hi Phoebe Vet, I have one too. It is equipped with DCC & Sound and pulls a 3 car Tuscan PRR commuter train on our group layout.
Mine, too. However I don’t have any PRR cars, so it’s pulling a short freight train.
Got mine! [:D]
Seriously, I appreciate the sentiment of the OP. It would be nice to know, one way or the other, just what is intended for that magnificent old gal.
-Crandell
Here is some news:
I viewed the 1361 at Scranton two years ago in the round house and it was being prepared to ship, but they were not saying where it was going or what more it needed. The boiler dates back to a day when the thickness was fine, but the new requirements demand a thicker material be used. There was a lot of information on the boiler on some other forums and it can be fixed with a lot more money. I don’t imagine that will happen since the process is very expensive and so much had been spent already before the new regulations became law. It would be nice to get it back home and simply put it back together for all to see and enjoy. From what I read, the LI/ G5 being worked on has a better chance of running someday.
The K4 at Strasburg would have to meet the same requirements so that does not seem to be a rebuilt candidate now.
I am not aware of the 1361 being moved since that time so it is probably still in the Steamtown roundhouse.
The last I heard was the project was pretty much abandoned due to the boiler needing too many modifications to qualify as a safe pressure vessel. I am afraid that today’s regulations are too strict for the old girl. I am not privy to the particulars but I think it has something to do with how the firebox is mounted. Since this project was a complete rebuild it falls under the latest regulations. If it was repaired then it could have been grandfathered to the old standards.
A crying shame. There are charges of mismanagement from some people about what has happened to it. All the money and time spent so far and little to show for it. I get the feeling it is going to Steamtown and put back together for static display.
Pete
Crandell
Very nice picture of a great locomotive. You always seem to get a good perspective in your picture posts.
CZ
Thanks, CZ. It is one of my favourites. [:)]
-Crandell
Indeed, it is still at Steamtown in dissembled state, sitting in the same stall it has always been in. Cryn’ shame it is. [sigh]
They really should just take it back up on Horseshoe Curve and put it back where it belongs.
There is a GP something on the curve, but the K4 is going to the musuem at Altoona. It will be a display only locomotive but it look like new in the building there. Once assembled and painted, it should be a nice showcase for the world to view.
It is sad it required so much boiler work that is cannot be repaired after so much money was spent on it already. It will be interesting to find out if the Long Island G5 boiler work can be completed to the new regulations.
CZ
Its a GP9, number 7048 one from the PRR’s initial order of 50.
Nah, it deserves better! The Railroader’s Memorial Museum is the best place for it! Get it out of Steamtown, they already have enough to tend to!