During the summer of 2023, the Williams Grove Railroad would fire up the crown gem of their collection, the lone operational survivor of "The Standard Railroad of the World". The small steam switcher, a B4a class 0-6-0 built by the Altoona shops of the Pennsylvania Railroad in 1901, would be readied to operate short excursions along the Williams Grove Railroad throughout the day. For many years this historic locomotive has called the Williams Grove Railroad home and has enjoyed a retirement going back and forth on the short railroad attracting railroad enthusiasts and tourists alike. Follow along as we go trackside and ride onboard as this sole survivor embodies "The Spirit of the Keystone State" in this film by Keystone Rail Productions!
History of PRR 643:
Pennsylvania Railroad 643 is a 0-6-0 switcher classified as a B4a that was constructed in 1901 by the Pennsylvania's own Altoona shops. The 643 would only serve 17 years with the Pennsylvania Railroad, and would then be purchased by the Central Iron and Steel Company, located in Harrisburg, PA. She would then undergo a few changes, including being renumber to No. 5, the fitting of a new boiler without the Pennsy's trademark belpaire firebox by the H.K. Porter Company, and a newer and larger welded tender. When the steel mill had closed in 1959, the future was looking bleak for the small 0-6-0. However, the newly formed Williams Grove Historical Steam Engine Association purchased her. She was re-lettered and numbered back to her Pennsylvania Railroad days and she would remain there ever since, pulling short excursions and taking the title of being the last Pennsylvania Railroad steam locomotive in operation.
To learn more and support the Williams Grove Railroads operations, please visit:
wgrailroad.com/
Special Thanks To:
- The Williams Grove Historical Steam Engine Association
- The Crew of 643
- The KRP Family
Filmed on Saturday, August 5, 2023
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© Keystone Rail Productions 2023
All Rights Reserved
COPYRIGHT POLICY: This may not be copied or reproduced without exclusive permission from Keystone Rail Productions. We work hard to create these videos, and they are not be re-uploaded/distributed without permission, or will be taken down in accordance with international copyright law. Thank you for understanding.
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30 сен 2024
