Steam & Excursion > Among the First

K4s 1497 came as part of the 1917 order for 41, while the 3736 came as part of the 1920 order for 50. John S. Powell caught them leading #25 westbound from Altoona, July 1923.
Photo credit the Library of Congress, Bruce Fales collection
Be of good cheer,
—Mac
www.lowellamrine.com

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I'll bet'cha that first loco has an electric headlight.  I'm surprised that these engines had such small tenders...  They look fit for an E-6s.

Thanks for your very interesting posts of PRR's steam efforts in the early 20th century.  That was certainly a heady period for all steam.

jkh2cpu Wrote:
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> I'll bet'cha that first loco has an electric
> headlight.  I'm surprised that these engines had
> such small tenders... 

Remember that the PRR had track pans in order to take on water while running. Thus a "small tender" could carry lots of coal, yet scoop water enroute.


They look fit for an
> E-6s.
>
> Thanks for your very interesting posts of PRR's
> steam efforts in the early 20th century.  That
> was certainly a heady period for all steam.

It is fascinating that less-than-modern technology could reach such speeds.
Bob

jkh2cpu Wrote:
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>  I'm surprised that these engines had
> such small tenders...  

I count 11 cars, which means the first engine is likely a helper, and won't stray far from Altoona.  So that small tender is likely sufficient, until Juniata gets around to building her a bigger one.

That hogger in the trailing unit is really leaning out the window, Ed Dickens-like.

I was thinking the same thing about the electric headlight and the small tender.  Isn't this about the date when the government made the railroads also add electric class lamps instead of the previous kerosene lamps ?  
Thanks for another interesting photo.

Craig Hanson
Vay, ID

This looks like the climb from Altoona nearing the Horseshoe Curve.
Wonderful look back!
gonut

hawkinsun Wrote:
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> I was thinking the same thing about the electric
> headlight and the small tender.  Isn't this about
> the date when the government made the railroads
> also add electric class lamps instead of the
> previous kerosene lamps ?  
> Thanks for another interesting photo.
>
> Craig Hanson
> Vay, ID

I think the electric headlight law was passed in 1915. I don't know by what date compliance was then mandated.

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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/21/26 18:18 by train1275.

A few tidbits from the ICC Locomtive Regulations revised to June 7, 1924 pertaining to headlights.

 

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Note the reference to the effective dates, but nothing at this time specifically referencing the headlights be electric.

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A note in the 1915 Locomotive Cyclopedia of American Practice, 1915, Page 613.

Some further digging leads me to the conclusion that there were a number of State enacted laws covering different aspects of locomotive inspection and components outside of the ICC regs related to boilers. Such as headlights, cab curtains and fire doors. 

Perhaps there were challenges between state laws and regs which at the time were not addressed specifically by the ICC regs and these issues took some time to resolve. i saw some comments related to the use of acetylene headlights that met the illumination requirements of electric. So, I am not sure exactly just what transpired when related to State laws, Federal law and the text posted above from the official regs of the ICC related to headlights from the 1924 revision. It would appear to me that the ICC initially focused on boilers and later had to take a jurisdiction for the entire locomotive and tender.

Maybe someone else has more info or a better understanding. I tried, but could not find the specific language in the March 4, 1915 ammendment. Note too the 1924 regs state a distance of 800 feet for road locomotives, and the 1915 amendment recorded in the 1915 Locomotive Cyclopedia says 1,000 feet.



Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 02/22/26 18:15 by train1275.

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Thank you for all of that material and information from an original source document.
—Mac

train1275 Wrote:
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> Note the reference to the effective dates, but
> nothing at this time specifically referencing the
> headlights be electric.

Now I look closer and that 1924 document states "Locomotives Other Than Steam"

I give up tonight .......