Which PRR engines operated east of Harrisburg in the 40's and 50s?

Classic Trains General Discussion
1

I am trying to research specifically the area just west (perhaps slightly north) of philadelphia. I drive by Roosevelt blvd daily, and I notice how beautiful the rolling hills of the Olney, Logan, and Germantown sections of philadelphia are. There are tracks that run from west philadelphia, over the schukyill (next to girard) all the way through fairmount park, strawberry mansion, etc. then into the upper north western areas of the city, beyond into montogomery county, I suppose eventually heading into valley forge.

My questions are generally as follows:

1)Which steam engines used to run these tracks back then?

2)What major stations did they use at the time along this route?

3)Steamers at ZOO interlocking? Or only the electrics like the GG-1?

Specifically did these engines ever go east of Harrisburg even lets say at least 75 miles west of philadelphia, not into the city of course, but perhaps relatively near it?

And how far east did the J1 2-10-4’s run?

You see, lately, I have been driving by these tracks in philly and following them, trying to imagine what sort of steam or diesel ever went just west beyond these areas of the city into montogomery county?

Unfortunately, I can’t travel anytime soon to beyond harrisburg where supposedly the big steamers that mentioned apparently reigned. My schedule is too hectic.

Also, can someone give me a general quick history on PRR electrification, causes for it, how it affected diesel and steam operations. I have tried to look into this, but I would like to hear a real history buff set me straight on this issue.

Many questions

2

The J’s never ran east of Harrisburg except possibly on very special occasions. I never saw one. All other power at one time or another, even after electrification was completed, would occasionally see service under catenary according to my memory of what I saw. Most freauent of the rare appearances of steam under catenary were H-8, H-9. and H-10 2-8-0’s. Next were probably even tossup between K-4’s and G-5 ten wheelers. And B-6 0-6-0 switchers and I-10 2-10-0’s . L-1 Mikados were rare but were seen on a few occasons, and M-1 Mountains possibly once a year or so. This is of course, in additon to regular operation of steam east of Harrisburg on the remaining non-electrified lines. Harrisburg to Baltimore via York saw regular K-4’s, E-6’s, L-1’s, and H-8-10’s. Ditto Wilmington - Cape Charles. Branch lines on the Del-Mar-Va pennisular hosted a few rare D-16 4-4-0’s! K-4’s and G-5’s on the New York and Long Branch, and add E-6’s to the mix for PRSL. E-6’s substituting for doodlebugs when in the shop between Red Bank and Trenton and between Trenton and Camden. I could go on. The Broker, a regular Bay Head Junction to Exchange Place rush hour express each way, did not swap for a DGG-1 at South Amboy but continued with a K-4 to Exchange Place Jersey City putting steam right through Newark’s high platform Penn Station. Today a diesel does the same thing to Hoboken for Jersey Transit

3

I didn’t think the T1’s operated East of Harrisburg either - correct?

–Reed

4

Right. No T’s and no Q’s, either. IN an old issue of TRAINS, probably around 1947, Hungerford answered a reader who wrote the question: Why do we see PRR steam power under caternary so often? His answer: Ecomics. The power system and number of electric locomotives were planned to cope with normal heavy traffic. Providing the capacity for unusual peaks would not be cost effective, so any unusual peaks require steam to supplement the electrics.

5

Some people told me stories of the J class 2-10-4’s running south from Sunbury into Harrisburg along the river to the north. Takes about a hour or so. Once the train got past the large river bridge into the Harrisburg area yards I dont think the engines ran any further east.

Westbound is Altoona and the Horseshoe. Everything west of Harrisburg went through there.

Now keep in mind that there were other railroads in the Harrisburg area connecting to the PRR.

The Electrics ruled east of Harrisburg. And how. Sometimes they ran two.

6

There are about a dozen or more books from over the last 50 or so years which can really fill in all the information you are seeking. Also, the Philadelphia and West Jersey Chapters of the NRHS have loads of information…and people to regale you forever!

7

Thanks for sharing that, I will definately look into getting those books and becoming more aquainted with the NRHS.

8

Very helpful, thankyou. [tup]

9

May I point out books authored by Alexander and by Wood to be as pure PRR as you can get. But Don Ball did a series of books in which he broke out regions and railroads with some colorful content to the PRR at steam/diesel changeover time. I remember K4’s and a few little switchers back in the early 50’s but spent little time around the PRR, some on the LIRR, but was in North Jersey enjoying the Lackawanna.