Pittsburg, Shawmut & Northern 2-8-0 "Consolidation" Locomotives in the USA

Class H-3 (Locobase 12641)

Data from Baldwin Locomotive Works Specification for Engines as digitized by the DeGolyer Library of Southern Methodist University Volume 25, p. 112. Works numbers were 22359, 22415 in in June 1903; 23939, 23979-23980 in March 1904; and 24043. in April.

It's not unheard of, but the PS & N's road numbering order did not match the builder's number order. So the road number sequence was 53, 55, 50, 51-52, 54. The design is very similar to the Kansas City Southern's E-2 Consolidations delivered in the same year (Locobase 6842).

The class remained on the western Pennsylvania coal road until their retirements. 52 and 54 were scrapped in December 1936, 51 in March 1947. 53 and 55 were rebuilt by Baldwin in 1920.

Class H-4 (Locobase 12778)

Data from Baldwin Locomotive Works Specification for Engines as digitized by the DeGolyer Library of Southern Methodist University Volume 27, p. 247. Works numbers were 25486, 25556, 25598, 25672 in May 1905; 30227, 30298 in February 1907; 32769-32771, 32782-32783 in May 1908; 32807 in June.

Following the H-3s (Locobase 12641) into service, this definitive PS & N Consolidation design had only detail differences such as 6 more boiler tubes. Still, the design would be modified just a few years later; see Locobase 12779.

56 was scrapped in December 1936. 57 was rebuilt by Baldwin in 1920; in its altered form the engine lasted until March 1943. 58-59 were scrapped 4 years later in March 1947.

Class H-4 - 1910 (Locobase 12779)

Data from Baldwin Locomotive Works Specification for Engines as digitized by the DeGolyer Library of Southern Methodist University Volume 38, p. 229. Works numbers were 35810-35811 in December 1910; 35822-35825, 35992 in January 1911; 36035 in February.

When it came time to order more H-4 Consolidations, the PS & N varied the design from the earlier engines (for which, see Locobase 12779) by reducing the number of tubes by 27. Possibly they found that the spacing was too cramped or the boiler not big enough to hold steam comfortably. The builder also introduced Walschaert's outside constant-lead radial valve gear in place of the link motion used in the earlier locomotives.

In any case, the design was little changed otherwise and like the earlier engines, served the railroad until it was closed and abandoned in March 1947.