Pennsylvania Railroad class A5s

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PRR A5s
PRR No. 94 at the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania
Type and origin Power type Steam Builder Juniata Shops Build date 1916–1924 Total produced 47
Specifications Configuration: ​  • Whyte 0-4-0 Gauge 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) Driver dia. 50 in (1,300 mm) Loco weight 131,750 lb (59,760 kg) Fuel type Coal Water cap. 5,700 US gal (21,600 L) Firebox: ​  • Grate area 38.3 sq ft (3.56 m2) Boiler pressure 185 psi (1,280 kPa) Cylinders Two Cylinder size 20 in (510 mm) × 24 in (610 mm) Valve gear Stevenson, Walscharts Valve type Slide, Piston
Performance figures Tractive effort 30,190 lbf (134,300 N)
Career First run 1916 Last run 1957 Retired 1957 Withdrawn 1957 Preserved No. 94 Disposition One preserved, remainder scrapped
[1]

The Pennsylvania Railroad's class A5s was the most powerful class of 0-4-0 steam locomotives. The Pennsylvania Railroad built 47 in its Juniata Shops between 1916–1924. They were all retired by 1957. One is preserved at the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania.

In the 1920s, many railroads in the United States had retired 0-4-0 steam locomotives because they were too small for switching duties. This was not the case on the Pennsylvania Railroad (PRR). The PRR was keen on this wheel arrangement due to complex street and tight industrial trackage across its broad network. For some of these lines, the railroad needed a large 0-4-0 to handle the larger switching activities the railroad had. Although the class B was designated for steam locomotives with the 0-6-0 wheel arrangement, these steam locomotives could not fit the tight and complex street, dockyard and industrial trackage the railroad had in its possession.

As early as 1948,^[2] the A5s steam locomotives started to be replaced by higher horse powered and heavy duty diesel switchers. Over the next year, these switchers were gradually replaced by diesel locomotives. Finally in 1957, the Pennsylvania Railroad converted from steam to diesel power and the last of the class was withdrawn.

Pennsylvania Railroad number 94 is the only member of its class to be preserved. It is at the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania in Strasburg, Pennsylvania, across from the Strasburg Rail Road.

• 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. ISBN 978-0-9445-1304-0.

• Media related to Pennsylvania Railroad A5 at Wikimedia Commons