Lines that ran M1 Mountain

[Anonymous]

Broadway Limited is issuing sound-equipped HO M1A and B Mountains. What railroads operated Mountains?

[DTomajko]

Jephil,The M1 & M1a Mountain steam engine or 4-8-2 was designed by and for the Pennsylvania Railroad.The first was constructed in the Juniata Shops,(Altoona.Pa.),in 1923 and was numbered 4700,eventually renumbered to 6699.In 1926,Baldwin built #6800 to #6974,(175),and Lima built #6975 to #6999,(25).In 1930,Baldwin built M1a's 6700 to 6749,(50),Juniata Shops built #6750 to #6774,(25),and Lima built #6775 to #6799,(25). The total of 300 M1's and M1a's were assigned 45% to the PRR lines east of Altoona,45% west of Pittsburgh,and the remaining 10% worked the Allegheny Mountain grade,(Horseshoe Curve),between those 2 cities.The M1 & M1a were considered by many experts to be the pinnacle of PRR steam power,(along with the K4s 4-6-2 and the J1a 2-10-4).N.J.International published a soft-cover book about the M1,the above information came from the book.Also,more info and photos can be found in Pennsy Power I,II,& III,and the many color books published by Morning Sun ,TRP,and others.I hope I was some help. DT,Pa.

[Anonymous]

The previous post correctly noted that the Belpaire-firebox locos called M1, M1a & M1b were peculiar to the Pennsy. Many other roads used 4-8-2 locos, of much different appearance. PFM published a book called "The Mountains" that includes all rrs operating the wheel arrangement.

Notable users included NYC ("Mohawks" after the River on that road) & SP. Several roads used the USRA Mountains, of both "light" & "heavy" designs. The C&O originated the type, back in 1911 I think. Other users included the GN & N&W, and there were several more. Try to locate the book thru a hobby shop, bookstore or library & you can learn about all of them.

[Anonymous]

Going down the topics list I discovered that yr post duplicates one with about six replies. Why the dupe?

Are you asking which PRR lines saw the 4-8-2s? They worked the mainline between Pittsburgh thru Phily to the freight terminals in northern New Jersey. Probably their best-known stamping ground was the Middle Division between Altoona & Harrisburg. Also on the old Northern Central route north from Harrisburg along the Susquehanna.

Some also would have worked west of Pgh thru to Chicago on the old PFW&C and probably on the "Panhandle" line thru central Ohio to St. Louis, MO as well.