Western Maryland K-2

The Western Maryland K-2 was a class of 9 4-6-2 "Pacific" type steam locomotives built by the Baldwin Locomotive Works in 1912 and operated by the Western Maryland Railway until the early 1950s.

Western Maryland K-2 class
WM #202 at Hagerstown City Park.
Type and origin
Power typeSteam
BuilderBaldwin Locomotive Works
Serial number38075-38078, 38115-38119
Build dateJuly-August 1912
Total produced9
Specifications
Configuration:
  Whyte4-6-2
  UIC2′C2′ h1
Gauge4 ft 8 12 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge
Driver dia.69 in (1,753 mm)
WheelbaseLoco & tender: 67.42 ft (20.55 m)
Length103 ft 3 18 in (31.47 m)
Axle load53,500 lb (24,300 kilograms; 24.3 metric tons)
Adhesive weight160,500 lb (72,800 kilograms; 72.8 metric tons)
Loco weight254,300 lb (115,300 kilograms; 115.3 metric tons)
Tender weight148,000 lb (67,000 kilograms; 67 metric tons)
Total weight402,300 lb (182,500 kilograms; 182.5 metric tons)
Tender typeVanderbilt, Water-bottom
Fuel typeCoal, some converted to fuel oil
Fuel capacity3,174 US gal (12,010 l; 2,643 imp gal)
Water cap8,000 US gal (30,000 l; 6,700 imp gal)
Firebox:
  Firegrate area
61.80 sq ft (5.741 m2)
Boiler pressure200 lbf/in2 (1.38 MPa)
Heating surface:
  Firebox
307 sq ft (28.5 m2)
Superheater:
  TypeType E
  Heating area755 sq ft (70.1 m2)
CylindersTwo
Cylinder size24 in × 28 in (610 mm × 711 mm)
Valve gearWalschaert
OriginallyBaker
Performance figures
Maximum speed90 mph (140 km/h)
Tractive effort39,736 lbf (176.75 kN)
Factor of adh.4.04
Career
OperatorsWestern Maryland
ClassK-2
Numbers201–209
Delivered1912
Retired1952-1954
PreservedOne preserved (No. 202)
DispositionWestern Maryland 202 on display in Hagerstown, Maryland, remainder scrapped

They pulled passenger trains until retirement and only one survives, No. 202.

History

When delivered to the Western Maryland, the locomotives were put in passenger service and were put to work on the newly completed Connellsville extension in 1912. They hauled passenger trains between Baltimore, MD, and Chicago, IL, including the first class Chicago Limited and Baltimore Limited. However, they were abandoned by 1917. Despite that, the locomotive would continue to haul passenger trains until the early 1950s. By 1938, all of the K-2s had their Baker valve gear replaced with Walschaert valve gear. In 1947, Nos. 201, 202, 204 and 206 were converted to burn oil to comply with smoke regulations in Baltimore. Following the conversion, the four K-2s would stay east of Cumberland for the rest of their career. Nos. 204 and 205 were eventually used in thaw service to thaw coal in hoppers before they were unloaded into ships at Port Covington, the WM port in Baltimore. Before retirement, No. 204 was considered the belle of the road. As the railroad was dieselising, retirement started in 1952 and by 1954, all of the K-2s have been retired.[1][2]

Preservation

Only one K-2 has been preserved, No. 202. It was retired in 1952 and in 1953, the Western Maryland had decided to donate it to the children of Hagerstown and place it on display in Hagerstown City Park.[2] Today, it is still on display there. On June 7, 1984, the locomotive was added to the National Register of Historic Places. It is one of only two surviving Western Maryland steam locomotives and the only surviving mainline WM steam locomotive.[3]

Roster

NumberBaldwin serial numberDate builtDispositionNotes
20138075July 1912Sold for scrap.Converted to burn oil
20238076July 1912Retired 1952, on display in City Park, Hagerstown, Maryland.[4]Converted to burn oil. On the National Register of Historic Places.
20338077July 1912Sold for scrap.
20438078July 1912Sold for scrap.Converted to burn oil. Belle of the road.
20538115August 1912Scrapped 1955 or 1956.
20638116August 1912Sold for scrap.Converted to burn oil.
20738117August 1912Sold for scrap.All driving wheels converted to Baldwin Disc.[5]
20838118August 1912Sold for scrap.
209381159August 1912Sold for scrap.

References

  1. "Western Maryland 4-6-2 "Pacific" Locomotives in the USA". steamlocomotive.com.
  2. "WM K-2 #202 - www.rgusrail.com". www.rgusrail.com.
  3. "Western Maryland 202". sites.google.com.
  4. Eleanor C. Long (September 1983). "National Register of Historic Places Registration: Western Maryland Railway Steam Locomotive No. 202" (PDF). Maryland Historical Trust. Retrieved 2016-01-01.
  5. "K2 Class Pacifics - Western Maryland 202". sites.google.com.
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