Pennsylvania Railroad K4

The Pennsylvania Railroad K4s are express passenger locomotives that were designed and used by Pennsylvania Railroad.

History
The K4s were built from the years 1914 to 1928 with 350 of them made by the Pennsylvania Juniata shops and 75 other classmembers were built by Baldwin Locomotive Works. They were the result of numerous tests and experiments on the earlier K29 pacific. During the time that the K4s were used, many different types of steam locomotives liked the experimental K5s and the T1s tried to replace them. However, none of them were as successful as the K4s. The K4s however were finally withdrawn in 1957 with Diesel locomotives taking over their duties.

Rebuilds
By 1947, the K4s had began to recieve a rebuild that was to supposedly 'modernize' them. Their headlamp was adjusted to the top of the smokebox in front of the smokestack. A new generator was placed where the old headlamp used to be and a platform was added to the face of the engine for easy access. The cab signal apparatus was moved to behind the cylinder steam pipe and the original 'chicken coop' pilot was replaced with a steel welded pilot with a dropdown coupler.

Preservation
Only two of the K4s have survived the cutter's torch: 3750 and 1361. 3750 was stored at Northumberland Pennsylvania as part of the PRR Historical Collection. It was then donated to the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania. 1361 was put on display at the Horshoe Curve in Altoona Pennsylvania. However, it was restored to operating order in 1987 but has since then gone under restoration again at the Altoona Railroader's Memorial Museum.

Models
Being a rather popular engine, the K4 has seen many different types of models in different scales.

O

--coming soon--

HO

Bowser (Pre-war, released as a kit, discontinued)

Bachmann (Released as part of their Spectrum line with both Pre-war and Post-war versions)

Broadway Limited Imports (Released as part of their Paragon2 line with both Pre-war and Post-war versions with either slatted or cast pilots.)

MTH (Released with both Pre-war and Post-war versions)

N

Minitrix (Pre-war, discontinued)