Pennsylvania Railroad 520

Pennsylvania Railroad 520 is a preserved L1s-class 2-8-2 "Mikado" steam locomotive. It was built in December 1916 by the Baldwin Locomotive Works for the Pennsylvania Railroad for hauling freight. In 1942, the locomotive was involved in a boiler explosion incident that required construction of a new, replacement boiler. After being retired on October 20, 1957, the locomotive was preserved and placed on display at the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania in Strasburg, Pennsylvania. The locomotive and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on December 17, 1979.

Pennsylvania Railroad 520
Pennsylvania Railroad No. 520 on display at the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania in early 2015
Type and origin Power type Steam Builder Baldwin Locomotive Works Serial number 44565 Build date December 1916
Specifications Configuration: ​  • Whyte 2-8-2 Gauge 4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) Driver dia. 62 in (1,575 mm) Length 82 ft 1⁄4 in (25.0 m) Adhesive weight 232,500 lb (105,500 kg) Loco weight 324,700 lb (147,300 kg) Tender weight 447,300 lb (202,900 kg) Total weight 772,000 lb (350,000 kg) Tender type 110-P-75 Fuel type Coal Fuel capacity 18.5 tonnes (41,000 lb) Water cap. 11,980 US gallons (45,300 L) Boiler pressure 205 psi (1,413 kPa) Heating surface: ​  • Firebox 305 sq ft (28 m2) Superheater: ​  • Heating area 943 sq ft (88 m2)
Performance figures Tractive effort 61,465 lbf (273 kN) Factor of adh. 3.78
Career Operators Pennsylvania Railroad Class L1s Numbers PRR 520 Retired October 20, 1957 Current owner Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission Disposition On static display U.S. National Register of Historic Places Official name Mikado Freight Locomotive No. 520 Designated December 17, 1979 Part of Pennsylvania Railroad Rolling Stock Thematic Resource Reference no. 79002269[1]

Background

The L1s is a class of 2-8-2 steam locomotives that was developed in 1914 to replace the H9s-class. The L1s used boilers identical to the ones eventually used for Pennsylvania Railroad's famed K4s-class steam locomotives.^[2] Most L1s locomotives were moved to other duties when the I1s was introduced in 1924.

History

No. 520 was built by the Baldwin Locomotive Works in December 1916. While pulling a freight train from Altoona, Pennsylvania, to Conway, Pennsylvania, on November 14, 1942, during World War 2 the boiler on No. 520 exploded near Cresson.^[3] The explosion killed both the engineer and the brakeman, injured the fireman and conductor, and shattered windows on a nearby house.^[4] Two occupants of the house were also injured by scalding water and flying embers, which also set a rug on fire. The force of the blast derailed the tender and six tank cars.^[4] No. 520 was eventually repaired and placed back into service.

On October 20, 1957, No. 520 pulled a "railfan special" out of Baltimore, Maryland, from Enola to Northumberland, Pennsylvania.^[5] After completing a round trip back to Enola, it was retired to the Pennsylvania Railroad's collection of historical locomotives. No. 520 was donated to the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission on December 17, 1979 by the Pennsylvania Railroad's successor Penn Central.^[6] It was also listed on the National Register of Historic Places on December 17, 1979.^[7]

See also

• List of boiler explosions
• National Register of Historic Places listings in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania