PRR E2
Encyclopedia
The Pennsylvania Railroad
's class E2, E3, E7 steam locomotives were of the 4-4-2
"Atlantic" passenger type, frequently called “light Atlantics” after the introduction of the heavier, more powerful E6 Atlantics. All locomotives were similar in terms of wheel configuration and size, boiler capacity but differed in firebox type, valves and valve gear, and cylinder diameter. Classes E2 and E3 were built simultaneously rather than consecutively. Starting in 1916 a rebuilding program converted ninety class E2a,b,c to class E7s by replacing slide valves with piston valves and increasing cylinder diameter from 20.5 to 22.5 in (52.1 to 57.2 ). Fourteen class E2 were similarly converted to class E7sa. Ninety class E2a,d, E3a,d were converted to class E3sd. These improvements allowed many of the engines to remain in active service into the 1930s.
The sub-classes differed as follows:
In the first decade of the Twentieth Century, classes E2 and E3 handled all of the fast passenger trains of the Pennsylvania Railroad. As train weights increased due to the switch to steel passenger cars and more cars per train, the “light” Atlantics were usually double-headed. Eventually, as Pacific class K2 and K3 became available, they were relegated to secondary service
as engine #2 (renumbered to 7002). In 1905, on the maiden westbound run of the Pennsylvania Special (renamed the Broadway Limited
in 1912), the train was clocked by the conductor’s stopwatch over a 3-mile run west of Crestview, Ohio, at a record speed of 127.1 MPH. This claim is disputed by many as being “unofficial”. PRR #7002 was rebuilt to a class E7sa in August 1916 and scrapped in 1935. When the PRR was looking for an E7 class locomotive for preservation, they refurbished No. 8063 an E7s from PCC&StL and substituted 7002’s engine number and builder’s plate. The engine was donated to Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania
in 1979 and put into operating order by Strasburg Rail Road
where it ran for a number of years, sometimes double-heading with PRR D16
#1223. It last operated on December 20, 1989.
Pennsylvania Railroad
The Pennsylvania Railroad was an American Class I railroad, founded in 1846. Commonly referred to as the "Pennsy", the PRR was headquartered in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania....
's class E2, E3, E7 steam locomotives were of the 4-4-2
4-4-2 (locomotive)
Under the Whyte notation for the classification of steam locomotives, 4-4-2 represents the wheel arrangement of four leading wheels on two axles , four powered and coupled driving wheels on two axles, and two trailing wheels on one axle...
"Atlantic" passenger type, frequently called “light Atlantics” after the introduction of the heavier, more powerful E6 Atlantics. All locomotives were similar in terms of wheel configuration and size, boiler capacity but differed in firebox type, valves and valve gear, and cylinder diameter. Classes E2 and E3 were built simultaneously rather than consecutively. Starting in 1916 a rebuilding program converted ninety class E2a,b,c to class E7s by replacing slide valves with piston valves and increasing cylinder diameter from 20.5 to 22.5 in (52.1 to 57.2 ). Fourteen class E2 were similarly converted to class E7sa. Ninety class E2a,d, E3a,d were converted to class E3sd. These improvements allowed many of the engines to remain in active service into the 1930s.
The sub-classes differed as follows:
| Class | Firebox | Cylinder size | Valves | Valve gear | Number built | Years built |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| E2 | Radial-stay | 20 ½” x 26” | Slide | Stephenson | 88 | 1901-02 |
| E2a | Belpaire | 20 ½” x 26” | Slide | Stephenson | 93 | 1902-05 |
| E2b | Belpaire | 20 ½” x 26” | Piston | Stephenson | 70 | 1903-04 |
| E2c | Belpaire | 20 ½” x 26” | Slide | Stephenson | 22 | 1903 |
| E2d | Belpaire | 20 ½” x 26” | Piston | Walschaerts | 32 | 1906-08 |
| E3 | Radial-stay | 22” x 26” | Slide | Stephenson | 8 | 1901-02 |
| E3a | > 22” x 26” | Slide | Stephenson | 114 | 1903-05 | |
| E3d | Belpaire | 22” x 26” | Piston | Walschaerts | 56 | 1906-10 |
| E7s | Belpaire | 22 ½” x 26” | Piston | Stephenson | 90 conv. fr. E2a,b,c | 1916-20 |
| E7sa | Radial-stay | 22 ½” x 26” | Piston | Stephenson | 14 conv. fr. E2 | 1916-20 |
In the first decade of the Twentieth Century, classes E2 and E3 handled all of the fast passenger trains of the Pennsylvania Railroad. As train weights increased due to the switch to steel passenger cars and more cars per train, the “light” Atlantics were usually double-headed. Eventually, as Pacific class K2 and K3 became available, they were relegated to secondary service
Engine #7002
This engine was built as a class E2 in 1902 for the Pittsburgh, Fort Wayne and Chicago RailwayPittsburgh, Fort Wayne and Chicago Railway
The Pittsburgh, Fort Wayne and Chicago Railway was a major part of the Pennsylvania Railroad system, extending the PRR west from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania via Fort Wayne, Indiana to Chicago, Illinois...
as engine #2 (renumbered to 7002). In 1905, on the maiden westbound run of the Pennsylvania Special (renamed the Broadway Limited
Broadway Limited
The Broadway Limited was the Pennsylvania Railroad's premier named passenger train, operating daily in each direction between New York City and Chicago, via North Philadelphia. It replaced its predecessors, the Pennsylvania Limited and the Pennsylvania Special...
in 1912), the train was clocked by the conductor’s stopwatch over a 3-mile run west of Crestview, Ohio, at a record speed of 127.1 MPH. This claim is disputed by many as being “unofficial”. PRR #7002 was rebuilt to a class E7sa in August 1916 and scrapped in 1935. When the PRR was looking for an E7 class locomotive for preservation, they refurbished No. 8063 an E7s from PCC&StL and substituted 7002’s engine number and builder’s plate. The engine was donated to Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania
Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania
The Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania is a railroad museum in Strasburg, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.The museum is located on the east side of Strasburg along Pennsylvania Route 741...
in 1979 and put into operating order by Strasburg Rail Road
Strasburg Rail Road
The Strasburg Rail Road is a heritage railroad located near Strasburg, Pennsylvania. It operates excursion trains hauled by steam locomotives in the heart of Pennsylvania Dutch Country.Across the street lies the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania...
where it ran for a number of years, sometimes double-heading with PRR D16
PRR D16
Class D16 on the Pennsylvania Railroad was their final development of the 4-4-0 "American" type of steam locomotive.A total of 429 of these locomotives were built, spread across five subclasses; some had diameter driving wheels for service in level territory, while others had drivers for...
#1223. It last operated on December 20, 1989.