#4700

One of two class P-5 prototypes built at the railroad's Altoona, PA, shops, this locomotive led to ninety additional class P-5a locomotives for electrified passenger service between New York City, Philadelphia, PA, Washington, DC, and Harrisburg, PA. In 1939, the type began being regeared from a top speed of 90 to 70 mph for freight service and was replaced in passenger service by GG1 locomotives. It drew power from an overhead wire carrying 11,000 volts, single phase AC, at 25 Hertz through pantographs on its roof. It was 62' 8" long and weighed 392,000 lbs., with 225,000 lbs. of that on its 72" drive wheels. Its 2-C-2 classification meant only the three center axles were powered. Its 625 HP traction motors, two per drive axle, produced 3,750 HP continuously, with a short term output of 6,500 HP. The center drive wheels were blind, without flanges, to allow tighter curves, and two or three units could be operated together on heavy trains under the control of the lead unit.

Valley Park, Missouri · United States