May 2023 #4483 turns 100 Years Old!
PRR #4483 by: Joseph V. Kocsis Jr.
| #4483 was built in May of 1923 by the Baldwin Locomotive Works in Eddystone, Pennsylvania for the Pennsylvania RR, #259 of a lot of 475, c/n 56534. This "Decapod" is the last one in existance of the "I-1s" class, of which 598 were built. In February, 1931, it was converted to an "I1sa" (109 were built class I-1s and later converted) and assigned to the Eastern Region, Susquehanna Division and Northern Region. On 11-1-1944, #4483 was reassigned to the Eastern Region, Central PA Division and Williamsport Division when it was equiped with "Cab Signal, Whistle and Acknowledger." The I1sa class was designed for freight service, and all came with piston valves, 62-inch drivers, and a boiler pressure of 250 p.s.i. as standard equipment. With a huge firebox (312 square feet), twin automatic stokers were installed to keep the large 30.5" x 32" cylinders full of steam. The stokers and power reverse gear were unusual luxuries that the Pennsy rarely applied to freight locomotives, The twin air tanks on the pilot gave the class a distinctive and powerful look and the name "Hippo" became an affectionate reference. #4483 was no stranger to Western New York, having been assigned to the PRR Ebeenezer, New York yards in the early 50's, and was often seen hauling coal drags up the Elmria Branch to the coal unloading docks in Sodus Bay on Lake Ontario, New York. The locomotive was dropped from equipment records on August 7th, 1957 by PRR Chief of Motive Power, Hal T. Cover with instructions to "Hold as Relic." When the Pennsylvania dieselized, the I1sa's were retired and #4483, one of the last to operate, was preserved and stored with other PRR steam power at the Northumberland, Pennsylvania, roundhouse in 1959 as the last remaining example of the class. In 1963 the Pennsy sold the engine to the Westinghouse Air Brake Company (WABCO) to display on the front lawn of their headquarters in Wilmerding, Pennsylvania, with the PRR business car the "Ohio." WABCO executives had long wanted a railroad display, since their main product (air brake components) was railroad related. Unfortunately, the equipment was neglected and it soon deteriorated. Sometime during the mid-60's, Westinghouse removed the asbestos boiler insulation but, other than sandblasting and paint, the locomotive received little attention during its stay in Wilmerding. In the fall of 1982, WABCO offered the locomotive to any non-profit organization that could remove it from the property before year's end. Representatives from the Altoona Railroaders Memorial Museum and the WNYRHS inspected the engine in November but the ARMM turned the offer down. With the immence assistance of Edwin Winter, he crafted a plan to move the engine and passenger car "OHIO" and on November 22nd, 1982, the WNYRHS took official ownership of #4483 and the PRR Business Car the "OHIO." The Western New York Railway Historical Society is privileged to own the locomotive and we are well aware of its historical significance. Given the current location of the engine, we have invested hundreds of hours over the years to ensure the effects of weather do not affect its structural integrity. Oiling, painting and replacing consumable sheet metal, have always been part of our conservation efforts of #4483 over the years. We are often asked "are you going to get it running?" As cited by many other high profile locomotive restorations, the cost of a "Class-1" rebuild is now in excess of $2 million dollars. But, more important is the question of "where will you operate such a large engine?" Class 1 railroads are very, very reluctant to allow a steam engine on their rails without a long proven track record of reliability and huge liability insurance coverage. Since the WNYRHS Inc. does not own any track, investing large sums of money for a semi-static display piece would be fiscally irresponsible. In 2017, we made an agreement with the "T1 Trust," a group that is building a brand new Pennsylvania Railroad T-1 Steam Locomotive, to sell them our 16 wheel Long Haul Tender for their project. In exchange for some cash, The T1 Trust will completely restore our Short Haul Tender of the I-1 at an estimated cost of $75,000. We are working on a schedule to begin this work. We are also working on an agreement with the Norfolk Southern Railroad to get active rail access to the Heritage Discovery Center in downtown Buffalo, New York where #4483 will be moved and eventually placed under protective cover. Until then we will continue our preservation efforts to ensure that this locomotive will be available to many generations to come and enjoy our wonderful industrial heritage. If you would like to donate to the "care and feeding" of this most historic engine, just use the safe and secure PayPal button below to make a donation. Any amount no matter how small will be gratefully appreciated. |
| Today, the locomotive is on display and is currently undergoing cosmetic restoration at the Societies work site in Hamburg, New York with its short haul tender. |
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DESCRIPTION |
SPECIFICATIONS |
| Railroad | Pennsylvania |
| Builder | Baldwin c/n 56534 |
| Whyte Classification | 2-10-0 |
| Number in Class | 598 - 123 PRR Juniata, 475 Baldwin Eddysyone |
| Valve Gear | Walschaert |
| Driver Wheelbase | 22.67' |
| Overall Lenght (engine & tender) | 81.75' |
| Engine Weight | 366,500 lbs - 183.25 tons |
| Weight on Drivers | 334,500 lbs - 167.25 tons |
| Tender Light Weight | 182,000 lbs - 91 tons |
| Tender Capacity (short haul) | 9000 gals water - 17.5 tons coal |
| Total Engine and Tender Weight | 548,500 lbs - 274.25 tons |
| Minimum weight of rail | 112 lb/yard |
| Driver Diameter | 62" - #1, #2, #4, #5 Flanged, #3 Blind |
| Boiler Pressure | 250 psi |
| Cylinders (dia x stroke) | 30.5" x 32" |
| Firebox Area | 312 sq. ft |
| Max Speed | 50 mph |
Click here to read how four Decapods battled the"SHAMOKIN VALLEY BRANCH" |
 "©2001 - smph50 Full front view. (12K)") |
 "©2007 - smph50 Full engine side view. (12K)") |
 "©2001 - smph50 Full tender side view. (12K)") |
 "©smph50 Full repaint in 2009. (12K)") |
Details |
 "©2004 smph50 - Boiler backhead. (10K)") |
 "©2003 smph50 - Close up of blind driver. (10K)") |
 "©2002 smph50 - Tender water scoop. (10K)") |
 |
BLOW THE WHISTLEThis is the original Single Note "Banshee Whistle" from #4483 |
 "CLICK to Enlarge Photo (12K)-(22K)") |
 "©2013 John F. Netzlof http://www.netzlofdesign.info. Night photo of #4483, click to enlarge. (10K - 150K)") |
The Western New York Railway Historical Society is privileged to own this locomotive and we are well aware of its historical significance. Given the current location of the engine, we have invested hundreds of hours over the years to ensure that the effects of weather do not affect its structural integrity. Oiling, painting and replacing consumable sheet metal, have always been part of our conservation efforts of #4483 over the years. |
| We are often asked "are you going to get it running?" As cited by many other high profile locomotive restorations the cost of a "Class 1" rebuild is now in excess of $2 million dollars. But more important is the question of "where will you operate a such a large engine." Class 1 railroads are very, very reluctant to allow a steam engine on their rails without a long proven track record of reliability and huge liability insurance coverage. Since the WNYRHS Inc. does not own any track, investing large sums of money for a semi-static display piece would be fiscally irresponsible. We are working with Norfolk Southern to get active rail access to the Heritage Discovery Center in downtown Buffalo, NY where #4483 will be moved and eventually placed under protective cover. Until then, we will continue our preservation efforts to ensure that this locomotive will be available to many generations to come and enjoy our wonderful industrial heritage. |
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The WNYRHS, Inc. 100 Lee Street, Buffalo, NY. 14210 is an independent organization and has no affiliation with any other local or national group.
The Society is a fully qualified organization under 501 (C) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code and all donations to the Society are tax deductible.
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