Pennsylvania Railroad class L2s


The Pennsylvania Railroad's class L2s was a class of USRA Light Mikados originally purchased for the subsidiary Grand Rapids and Indiana Railroad. Similar in size to the home-designed and built L1s, the L2s was easily distinguishable by their radial-stay fireboxes and Hodges fabricated trailing trucks.

History

After World War I, the Pennsylvania Railroad needed a lighter 2-8-2 type steam locomotive to handle lighter freight trains on the system. In 1919, 38 locomotives were purchased while the railroad was under USRA control. Alco, Baldwin, and Lima filled the order. Most were sold in 1923 to the SLSF and MP . 5 were retained to run on the Grand Rapids & Indiana and renumbered in 1921 to PRR 9627-9631. All 5 locomotives 9627 to 9631 remaining with the Pennsy were photographed at some stage, most in the 1930s.

Retirement

The 5 locos remained in service through WWII, until being replaced and dropped from the roster between March and November 1948. Frisco 4018 is displayed at Birmingham, Al.

Train model

produced a USRA Light Mikado from 2001-2004 in G scale in multiple fallen flag railroad names including product number 21872, Pennsylvania Railroad No. 2809.
In HO scale, Marklin produced both a 2 rail version in 2004 and a 3-rail version in 2011. Both of these faithfully replicate the Pennsylvania lettering and paint scheme of the inter-war years.