Switchers --PRR

[Anonymous]

Did the PRR ever use slope back tenders on engines other than the 040-A3?
I think I remember such use about 1937 or so-- I want to confirm my memories.
I think I saw a slope back switching cars locally attached to a 2-4-0 or a 2-4-2,
or maybe a 2-6-0 ?
This was at Lock Haven,Pa,switching a couple of coal loads into a gas plant.
Help! Bob

[ndbprr]

Yes they used slope back tenders on all A series and the B series (0-6-0) and the Washington Terminal 0-8-0 class C. If they had a 2-4-0, 2-4-2 it was probably bought with a railroad as they aren't part of any class I know of. Every picture I have seen of 2-6-0s had square tenders.

[brokemoto]

Did the PRR swap out the USRA switcher tender for slopebacks on their USRA 0-6-0s, as well?

[ndbprr]

Not that I know of although never say never. the Standard Railroad of the World did some mighty oddball things at times.

[ndbprr]

Just checked with fellow listers on PRR-Talk and the concensus is probably not. The reason is the cab deck height on the B28s USRA is considerbly higher than the cab deck height in the A series and B6sb series. If it were it he same height it would be possible but there is a significant difference. This would have caused a safety issue moving back and forth between the tender deck and cab deck. As long as they are the same height anything was possible.

[dknelson]

The Carlton book "Pennsy, A to T" has a 1937 photograph of 2-8-0 class H6sb with a slope back tender. Interestingly it is engine #1! Since the H6s ended up purely as switch engines it makes sense that they would be re-equipped with slope back tenders.
I have seen pictures of B6's with slope backed tenders as well as regular tenders so presumably the PRR had tenders that matched the engine deck height. As for the Washington Terminal class C 0-8-0s, the photos in Pennsy Power show that the slope back tender was huge -- much longer than the usual. I guess this confirms that the Pennsy would build a slope back tender to match the circumstances.
Dave Nelson

[ndbprr]

As I recall the Washington Termonal engine was also oil fired so that tender was unique. As I said, "Never say never with the Standard Railroad of the World" becuaue as soon as you do somebody will show up with some oddball proving you wrong.