User:Guarddog00/sandbox

At the peak of World War II, the Pennsylvania Railroad was in desperate need of a larger locomotive to handle the ever-growing war time freight traffic. Unfortunately, they were unable to allocate any money towards research and development of a new locomotive due to war time restrictions. So they decided to lease a C&O T-1 2-10-4 and an N&W A Class 2-6-6-4, and copy one of their designs. After thorough testing, the PRR decided to go with the C&O T-1 as the basis for the new locomotive design. The result is what became the PRR J1.

Ever imagine what would have happened if the PRR had gone with the N&W A Class instead as the basis for the new locomotive? What would it look like? If we were to take elements from the J1 and future Q2, there would be a cast steal pilot with folding coupler, a keystone number plate, the headlight would be raised up with the bell hung underneath, the hooter whistle would be swapped for the more traditional PRR 3 Chime whistle with a whistle shield, a belpaire firebox for added combustion, a squared cab with larger round windows, and a welded coast to coast tender.

The PRR had an interesting method of classifying their articulated locomotives. They would combine the classification of the multiple wheel sets used in the wheel arrangement, and finally a -1 since they were the first of it’s class. For example, the 0-8-8-0 was basically (2) 0-8-0 C class locomotives….so it was called the CC-1. Their 2-8-8-0 was a 2-8-0 H class, and an 0-8-0 C class…..so it was called an HC-1. This new locomotive would have been a 2-6-0 F class, and a reversed 4-6-0 G class, and the -1. The Pennsylvania FG-1!

A boiler pressure of 300psi, 70″ drivers and a massive belpaire firebox allows for 125000 lbs of tractive effort! She sports a PRR 3 chime whistle from a PRR Q2, trails a welded coast to coast tender, capable of carrying 27 tons of coal and 21000 gallons of water.

Although this engine never did exist, it’s exciting to see what very well may have been the PRR’s most modernized steam locomotive!