Pennsylvania Railroad class G5 facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Freight Locomotive No. 5741
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PRR No. 5471 on display at the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania
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 Location in Pennsylvania
Location in the United States
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| Nearest city | Strasburg, Pennsylvania |
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| Area | 0.1 acres (0.040 ha) |
| Built | 1924 |
| Architect | Pennsylvania Railroad Co. |
| MPS | Pennsylvania Railroad Rolling Stock TR |
| NRHP reference No. | 79002268 |
| Added to NRHP | December 17, 1979 |
The Pennsylvania Railroad G5s was a type of steam locomotive built in the 1920s. It was known for its special wheel setup, called a 4-6-0. This means it had four small wheels at the front, six large driving wheels in the middle, and no wheels at the back. These powerful engines were designed for passenger trains, especially those that made many stops on commuter lines. They were a common sight on suburban railroads, like the Long Island Rail Road, until the mid-1950s. The G5s was one of the biggest and strongest 4-6-0 locomotives ever made.
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Building the G5s Locomotive
In the 1920s, the Pennsylvania Railroad needed a new type of locomotive. They wanted an engine that could handle commuter trains well. These trains often stopped and started, so they needed good power and quick acceleration.
A designer named William F. Kiesel, Jr. created the G5s. He used parts from another engine, the E6s Atlantic, to build it. The G5s had smaller driving wheels and no wheels at the very back. This design put more weight on the driving wheels. It gave the engine great pulling power and allowed it to speed up quickly. However, it also meant the top speed was lower.
The first G5s rolled out of the Juniata Shops in 1923. This was the first time the Pennsylvania Railroad had built a 4-6-0 engine in over 20 years. The G5s could produce 41,000 pounds of pulling force. This made it perfect for lines with frequent stops.
Between 1923 and 1925, 90 G5s locomotives were built for the Pennsylvania Railroad. They were made at the railroad's Juniata Shops in Altoona, Pennsylvania. Another 31 were built for the Long Island Rail Road. This railroad was a part of the PRR at the time. Some engineers said the G5s gave a bumpy ride. But its power was more important for its job.
G5s on the Pennsylvania Railroad
The 90 G5s locomotives used by the Pennsylvania Railroad worked on lines between cities and their suburbs. Many of these engines were seen in the Pittsburgh area. They also operated in New Jersey and around Chicago and Fort Wayne.
These locomotives were not just for commuter trains. Sometimes, a G5s would pull a milk train for 145 miles every day. This route went through rural Pennsylvania. The train even had an old car for passengers. Sometimes, a hunter would ride along and be dropped off in the woods.
The G5s also pulled special "fan trips" as early as the 1930s. These trips explored smaller branch lines. Larger engines were not allowed on these tracks. The G5s was also used for work trains. These jobs were too simple for the bigger mainline engines. People often described the G5s as "gutsy," "tough," or "husky." By 1929, it was the only 4-6-0 type of locomotive still in use on the PRR.
G5s on Long Island
The G5s was the main passenger locomotive on the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR). It stayed in service until steam engines were no longer used. It shared duties with other engines, including some G5s leased from the PRR. Later, diesel locomotives like the Alco RS3 began to replace them. The G5s engines on Long Island looked a little different. They had a larger tender, which is the car that carries fuel and water.
The G5s was the very last steam locomotive to operate for regular service on Long Island. The last seven G5s engines ran until late 1955. Their numbers were 21, 24, 32, 35, 38, 39, and 50.
In October 1955, a special "End of Steam Ceremony" was held. It took place at Hicksville. Engines 35 and 39 each pulled a single passenger car to the station. Local Boy Scouts were on board. When they arrived, the steam engines were uncoupled from the cars. Then, diesel locomotives were coupled to the cars instead. Engines 35 and 39 were then joined nose to nose. They ran west to the shops at Morris Park. Engine 35 ran one more special trip the following week.
Preserved G5s Locomotives
The G5s is one of the best-preserved types of Pennsylvania Railroad steam locomotives. Three examples still exist today.
PRR 5741
The Pennsylvania Railroad itself chose PRR 5741 for preservation when it retired. It is now on permanent display at the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania. In 1979, 5741 was added to the National Register of Historic Places. It is listed as Freight Locomotive No. 5741.
LIRR 35
The Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) gave LIRR 35 to Nassau County. Engine 35 was displayed in Eisenhower Park until 1978. Now, it is located at the Oyster Bay Railroad Museum in Oyster Bay, New York. The museum is working to get money to fully restore the locomotive. This includes changing it to run on oil and possibly adding a new tender. Engine 35 was recently cleaned and inspected. It is currently in pieces at the museum site.
LIRR 39
The LIRR offered LIRR 39 to Suffolk County. However, the county rejected it in 1956. The LIRR then offered #39 for display to the Carriage Museum in Stony Brook, New York. This museum is now called The Long Island Museum of American Art, History, and Carriages. The locomotive was shown there until 1980.
In 1980, a group called the Project #39 Restoration Committee moved the locomotive. They took it to Riverhead, New York, to begin restoration work. In 1992, the engine came under the care of the Railroad Museum of Long Island (RMLI). This museum has locations in Greenport and Riverhead, New York. The boiler and firebox are being restored at the Strasburg Railroad Company in Strasburg, Pennsylvania. The rest of the locomotive remains in Riverhead.
In 2013, the RMLI started a national fundraising effort. They aimed to raise $900,000 to help restore the locomotive. The restoration plan includes an agreement to lease the engine to the Strasburg Rail Road for 48 years. The Strasburg Rail Road will also contribute over $1 million to its restoration. The locomotive might be fully working on the Strasburg Railroad in three to five years. This will happen once enough money is raised.
