The Western Maryland K-2 was a class of 9 4-6-2 "Pacific" type steam locomotives built by the Baldwin Locomotive Works in 1912 and operated by the Western Maryland Railway until the early 1950s.

Western Maryland K-2 class
WM #202 at Hagerstown City Park.
Type and origin Power type Steam Builder Baldwin Locomotive Works Serial number 38075-38078, 38115-38119 Build date July-August 1912 Total produced 9
Specifications Configuration: ​  • Whyte 4-6-2  • UIC 2′C2′ h1 Gauge 4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge Driver dia. 69 in (1,753 mm) Wheelbase Loco & tender: 67.42 ft (20.55 m) Length 103 ft 3+1⁄8 in (31.47 m) Axle load 53,500 lb (24,300 kilograms; 24.3 metric tons) Adhesive weight 160,500 lb (72,800 kilograms; 72.8 metric tons) Loco weight 254,300 lb (115,300 kilograms; 115.3 metric tons) Tender weight 148,000 lb (67,000 kilograms; 67 metric tons) Total weight 402,300 lb (182,500 kilograms; 182.5 metric tons) Tender type Vanderbilt, Water-bottom Fuel type Coal, some converted to fuel oil Fuel capacity 3,174 US gal (12,010 l; 2,643 imp gal) Water cap. 8,000 US gal (30,000 l; 6,700 imp gal) Firebox:  • Firegrate area 61.80 sq ft (5.741 m2) Boiler pressure 200 lbf/in2 (1.38 MPa) Heating surface:  • Firebox 307 sq ft (28.5 m2) Superheater: ​  • Type Type E  • Heating area 755 sq ft (70.1 m2) Cylinders Two Cylinder size 24 in × 28 in (610 mm × 711 mm) Valve gear Walschaert OriginallyBaker
Performance figures Maximum speed 90 mph (140 km/h) Tractive effort 39,736 lbf (176.75 kN) Factor of adh. 4.04
Career Operators Western Maryland Class K-2 Numbers 201–209 Delivered 1912 Retired 1952-1954 Preserved One preserved (No. 202) Disposition Western Maryland 202 on display in Hagerstown, Maryland, remainder scrapped

They pulled passenger trains until retirement and only one survives, No. 202.

History

When delivered to the Western Maryland, the locomotives were put in passenger service and were put to work on the newly completed Connellsville extension in 1912. They hauled passenger trains between Baltimore, MD, and Chicago, IL, including the first class Chicago Limited and Baltimore Limited. However, they were abandoned by 1917. Despite that, the locomotive would continue to haul passenger trains until the early 1950s. By 1938, all of the K-2s had their Baker valve gear replaced with Walschaert valve gear. In 1947, Nos. 201, 202, 204 and 206 were converted to burn oil to comply with smoke regulations in Baltimore. Following the conversion, the four K-2s would stay east of Cumberland for the rest of their career. Nos. 204 and 205 were eventually used in thaw service to thaw coal in hoppers before they were unloaded into ships at Port Covington, the WM port in Baltimore. Before retirement, No. 204 was considered the belle of the road. As the railroad was dieselising, retirement started in 1952 and by 1954, all of the K-2s have been retired.[1][2]

Preservation

Only one K-2 has been preserved, No. 202. It was retired in 1952 and in 1953, the Western Maryland had decided to donate it to the children of Hagerstown and place it on display in Hagerstown City Park.[2] Today, it is still on display there. On June 7, 1984, the locomotive was added to the National Register of Historic Places. It is one of only two surviving Western Maryland steam locomotives and the only surviving mainline WM steam locomotive.[3]

Roster

References