Class A4-b 0-4-0 Switcher, #1187
Background & History
The A-4 Class was a true P&R engine with the modified, wide Wootten firebox Mother Hubbard (camelback) type, built by Baldwin in 1901-1903. There were twenty locomotives in all, numbering 1187 to 1200 inclusive, 1240 and 1246 to 1250. They weighed 98,200 pounds when first built and had a four wheel sloping-back tender. These were later replaced with a larger tender with the typical P&R pedistal-type four-wheel trucks. These same engines were modified in the P&R shops in 1906-1907 when the larger tenders were fitted, steam pressure was increased to 200 pounds and weight increased to 104,800 pounds.*[1]
#1187 represents the only surviving Reading camelback type engine. Originally built in 1903 as class A-4a for the Philadelphia & Reading Railroad Co., was rebuilt into Class A-4b in 1906 by the P&R. Sold in 1946 to the E&G Brooke Iron Company in Birdsboro, renumbered to #4. Sold to the Colorado Fuel & Iron Company (date ?). Last camelback in ICC service. Sold to Strasburg Rail Road in 1962. Last operated May 1967. Was on loan/display at the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania. Currently disassembled at Strasburg shops pending possible future restoration.
Archival Photos
Class A-4b Switcher Specifications (as-built): *[2] | |||
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Builder: | Baldwin Locomotive Works, Philadelphia, PA | Cylinders (2): | 16" dia. x 24" stroke |
Date built: | March 1903 | Cylinder horsepower: | unknown |
Wheels: | 0-4-0 | Boiler pressure: | 200 p.s.i. max. |
Length: | 48' 10" (engine & tender) | Tractive effort engine: | 20,889 lbs. |
Driving wheel diameter: | 50" | Tractive effort w/Booster: | n/a |
Weight on drivers: | 104,080 lbs. | Horsepower rating: | unknown |
Total engine weight: | 104,080 lbs. | Top speed: | unknown |
Total weight in working order: | unknown | Tender capacity: | 3,500 gallons water, 5.5-tons coal |
Grate area: | 40.2 sq. ft. | Fuel: | Coal |
Notes: | |
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*1 (info courtesy Steam Locomotives of the Reading and P&R Railroads by Edward Wiswesser) *2 (info courtesy steamlocomotive.info) |
(last updated: 6/03) |