PRR K-4 #1361.

[Anonymous]

Does anyone know where the PRR 1361 Steam Locomotive is today?
I just don't understand why they just replace another Steam Engine instead of a stupid Diesel Locomotive. I mean how many years did the Steam Locomotive run of the Pittsburgh line at Horse shoe curve? Horse shoe has had alot of past history and for one thing going to Horse shoe to watch Trains tackle the Hill is a great thing. But the Diesel has to go. Bring back the Steam Locomotive.
I mean Steam worked that very Hill way before Diesels ever did. I just wi***hat the PRR would have put another Steamer right at the top of Horse shoe curve in it's place instead of a DUMB Diesel. Just my two cents worth.
What do you think?
BNSFrailfan.

[SealBook27]

Last year it was at Steamtown, completely torn down. The tour guide asked us, "Does anyone know how to put back together a K-4?" I believe if you check their website (through the National Park Service) you'll get a rundown on what has happened to it since it was removed from Horshoe Curve.

I had taken pictures of it on display back in the early sixties. But wouldn't you know, the only one I can find is the rear view showing the tender. Being behind a chainlink fence didn't help either.

Growing up, I was always a fan of steam and didn't really care about diesels. But now that I'm much older, some of those old diesels (like the geep now on display) tend to bring back memories.

[Anonymous]

I think they are restoreing it.

[tpatrick]

1361 is indeed at Steamtown and I believe they plan to have it ready to perform at this year's Railfest at Horseshoe. That would be September 23, 24 and 25. I'm sure, BNSF, you would rather see a live K-4 rather that a dead display. As for the diesel, last time I was there it looked pretty neglected. A new coat of paint is in order before it rusts away completely.

[Anonymous]

The K-4 did run, back in the late 80s' if I recall after they took it off of Horse Shoe
Curve. Then went to Steamtown to be rebuilt. I was talking to one of the maintance
guys who work there and said that Steamtown is not restoring her, it is Altoona
Railroad museum who is doing the work, and they are renting the space and equipment to restore her. As of late I heard the K-4 project stopped because the museum not having enough money to finish her. Again I am going by what I was told by a Steamtown worker. I hope this loco will run again as it is my favorite steam locomotive. [:)]

[TomDiehl]

Sorry folks, dream on about it being ready this year. Or next. I work with the crew restoring it, right now it's a boiler shell on a frame, with no firebox sides or backhead. I was up a couple weeks ago and he was waiting on the FRA to approve a boiler repair, so the loco itself is at a standstill. We've been concentrating on the tender since the first of the year, and fabricating suspension parts. We may be getting a rivet crew together soon to start assembling the tender now that it's drilled and aligned. About 90% of the tender body is new metal.

Money is currently not the problem, but that could easily change.

PS, the old Pennsy route through Horseshoe Curve is currently owned by Norfolk Southern, not BNSF. (but THAT could easily change, too)

[Anonymous]

They lit off a K4 at York sometime in 1989. It was under steam after restoration there. Where is that engine now?

[Anonymous]

I hope so too! Steam sure did alot back then.
tpatrick you are correct. Steam will never die. I was raised in that state and from what I have heard from my Father the PRR with their Steam Trains going over the Curve was a sound like no other. Oh God I sure miss the good ol' day's. I was born way too late.
I wi***hat I was alive back in the early 60's just to see the PRR Steam[:)].
BNSFrailfan.

[TomDiehl]

There are only 2 PRR K-4's still in existance. One is at the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania in Strasburg, PA and the other is the one at Steamtown being restored which is referred to above, the #1361. The 1361, I believe is the only one of the two that has been steamed up since their retirement, so that's probably the one you remember. The initial "restoration" in the '80's was pretty buch a band-aid repair, which wouldn't pass the new boiler regs, to say the least.