Pennsylvania Railroad class HH1

Pennsylvania Railroad Class HH1 (Ex-Norfolk & Western Class Y3)
Type and origin Power type Steam Builder Roanoke Shops Build date 1943 Total produced 6
Specifications Configuration: ​  • Whyte 2-8-8-2  • UIC 1DD1 Gauge 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) Leading dia. 30 in (762 mm) Driver dia. 58 in (1,473 mm) (as built 57 in (1,448 mm) Trailing dia. 30 in (762 mm) Loco weight 582,900 lb (264.4 tonnes) Tender weight 961,500 lb (436.1 tonnes) Total weight 1,544,400 lb (700.52805623 Tonnes) Boiler 102.5 in (2,604 mm) Cylinders Four: two low-pressure (front), two high-pressure (rear) High-pressure cylinder 25 in × 32 in (635 mm × 813 mm) Low-pressure cylinder 39 in × 32 in (991 mm × 813 mm) Valve gear Walschaerts
Career Operators Pennsylvania Railroad Number in class 373-378 Scrapped 1951 Disposition All Scrapped

The Pennsylvania Railroad class HH1s/Y3s are four-cylinder compound articulated locomotives that consisted of only just six examples of ex-Norfolk and Western Railway Y3 class 2-8-8-2 (Whyte notation) wheel arrangement. These 2-8-8-2 steam locomotives were similar to the Norfolk & Western Class Y3 2-8-8-2s but with some minor PRR Alterations on them, such as the keystone number plate that was mounted centrally on the small smokebox door and had fitted a little shelter known as a "Doghouse" onto the tender of the locomotive.

History

The HH1's roots trace back to the Norfolk & Western Railway, where they had once been in charge of general merchandise freight traffic as heavy haulers and subsequently helper service as bankers.

The Pennsylvania Railroad bought six of the N&W class Y3s in 1943 and designated their 2-8-8-2s as the "HH1". They were used in general freight traffic and helper service on the Pennsylvania Railroad similar to their lives on the Norfolk & Western.

These 2-8-8-2 Steam locomotives were generally found in the west of Altoona, Pennsylvania.

Fate

Shockingly enough, their careers on the Pennsylvania Railroad were eventually cut short, due to Pennsylvania Railroad's Class J1 2-10-4 Texas type locomotives, and by 1951, all six of them had been retired from active service and they were all sadly broken up for scrap.