Pennsylvania Railroad class L6

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The Pennsylvania Railroad's class L6 comprised three electric locomotives of 2-8-2 wheel arrangement in the Whyte notation. The intention was to build a whole class of freight boxcab locomotives using this design, but the displacement of class P5a to freight work after the introduction of the GG1 meant that there was little need for more electric freight locomotives.

Pennsylvania Railroad L6
L6 #7825
Type and origin
Power typeElectric
BuilderPRR Altoona Works
Build date1932–1933
Total produced3
Specifications
Configuration:
 • Whyte2-8-2
 • AAR1-D-1
 • UIC1'Do'1
Gauge4 ft 8+12 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge
Driver dia.62 in (1.575 m)
Adhesive weight220,000 lb (99,800 kg)
Loco weight300,000 lb (136,000 kg)
Electric system/s11 kV, 25 Hz AC
Current pickup(s)Pantograph
Traction motors4x 625 hp (466 kW)
TransmissionAC current fed via a transformer tap changer to AC traction motors.
Train heatingNone
Loco brakeAir
Train brakesAir
Safety systemsCab signalling
Performance figures
Maximum speed54 mph (87 km/h)
Power output2,500 hp (1,900 kW)
Tractive effort55,000 lbf (244.65 kN)
Career
OperatorsPennsylvania Railroad
Number in classL6: 2, L6a: 1
Scrapped1966–1967
DispositionAll scrapped

Two L6 class locomotives were built at Altoona Works as prototypes in 1932. Numbered 7825–7826, they were renumbered 5938–5939 in 1933. Sixty production L6a locomotives were planned, with the car bodies of thirty subcontracted to Lima Locomotive Works (order number 1128, construction numbers 7587–7616). One was completed as PRR 5940, while the other 29 car bodies remained in store at Altoona until scrapped in 1942 for the war effort.

The 5939 and 5940 were renumbered 4790 and 4791 in 1966, with the 5938 scrapped the same year. The last two were scrapped in 1967.

References

edit
  • Volkmer, William D. (1991). Pennsy Electric Years. Edison, New Jersey: Morning Sun Books, Inc. pp. 16, 126–127. ISBN 978-1-878887-01-6.
  • Train Misc NE Rails
  • PRR Chronology 1937
  • PRR Chronology 1968
  • Staufer, Alvin F.; Pennypacker, Bert (1962). Pennsy Power: Steam and Electric Locomotives of the Pennsylvania Railroad, 1900-1957. Research by Martin Flattley. Carollton, Ohio: Alvin F. Staufer. p. 298. ISBN 978-0-9445-1304-0.