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The Pennsylvania Railroad B5 class were a fleet of 0-6-0 steam locomotive switchers that were converted from I class 2-8-0 freight locomotives in the early 20th Century.

Origins and Details[]

With major uses of switching for freight cars and passenger cars as the world's largest Railroad in the late 19th to early 20th centuries, the Pennsy rebuilt eighty-nine old H1 class (Originally, I Class) 2-8-0 Consolidations for switching service as these older units were either being retired or scrapped at the time. As most of the H1s were retired in the first decade of the early 20th century by being replaced by more powerful designs of freight engines, the Pennsy found more uses for them as working along with the B-4 classes which were the most recent steam Switchers to join the roster with build dates starting back in 1892. For use on tighter curves, the Railroad shops converted these engines into 0-6-0s by removing their lead trucks and last drive axles and sometimes replacing the standard rectangle Tender for a Slope-back Tender. These were not new build locomotives as the Boiler design and Pistons remained the same. The B5 design had the same specs of the H1 of 20" x 24" cylinders driving 50" driving wheels, they also had the same early sloping firebox found on earlier Pennsy engines. The Boiler was a straight horizontal design of an Inner diameter of 54⅞" producing 125 Lbs. Boiler Pressure. In all, fifty-seven B5s were rebuilt by the Pennsy along with thirty-two in a second batch labelled as B5a's.

Service Lives and Final Fate[]

As being used as switchers, the locomotives seen little service in their time as 0-6-0s. By 1902 the PRR developed the much larger B-6 class that had about twice the tractive effort of the older converted H5s, even after several years of use as switchers these conversions were already outdated before 1910. Many were scrapped and sidelined by newer locomotives in the 1900s and 1910s with all off the roster before the 1920s.

Stock List[]

Finished
Number(s) Year Built and Man. 0-6-0 Conversion Rebuild Date Retired and Scrapped Notes
1010 (Was built as I class #1090, renumbered #01090 in 3/1909, renumbered #1010 by 4/1909) Altoona Shops, 1885. Sometime around 1902-1903 as B5 Class. June 1912 Became H1 Class in September 1897.
132 (Was built as I class #654, renumbered #0654 after 1/1904, renumbered #991 in 3/1909, and renumbered #132 in 4/1909. Altoona Shops, 1883. February 1899 as B5 Class. May 1910 Became H1 Class in September 1897.
568 (Was built as I class #986, renumbered #0986 in 1908, renumbered #327 in 3/1909, and renumbered #568 in 4/1909) Altoona Shops, 1883. June 1899 as B5 Class. May 1910 Became H1 Class in September 1897.
17113 (Was built as S class PFt.W&CRy. #345, renumbered #7345 in 1902, renumbered #17113 in 8/1913) Ft. Wayne Shops, 1883. By 1902 to B5a Class. August 1913 Became H2a Class in September 1897.
17693 (Was built as S class PFt.W&CRy. #236, renumbered #7236 in 1902, renumbered #17236 in 1913, renumbered #7693 in 11/1915, renumbered #17693 in 1919) Pittsburgh Works, 1887. May 1902 to B5a Class. June 1920 Became H2a Class in September 1897.
17338 (Was built as S class PFt.W&CRy. #338, renumbered #7338 in 1902, renumbered #17338 in 1913) Ft. Wayne Shops, 1888. By 1902 to B5a Class. Unknown Became H2 Class in September 1897, still present during 1913.
17616 (Was built as S class Cleveland & Pittsburgh #616, renumbered #7616 in 12/1902, renumbered #17616 in 1915) Ft. Wayne Shops, 1888. March 1900 to B5a Class. Unknown Became H2 Class in September 1897, still present during 1915.
17621 (Was built as S class Cleveland & Pittsburgh #621, renumbered #7621 in 12/1902, renumbered #17621 in 1915) Ft. Wayne Shops, 1887. March 1900 to B5a Class. Unknown Became H2 Class in September 1897, still present during 1915.
17624 (Was built as S class Cleveland & Pittsburgh #624, renumbered #7624 in 12/1902, renumbered #17624 in 1915) Ft. Wayne Shops, 1887. By 1902 to B5a Class. Unknown Became H2 Class in September 1897, still present during 1915.
17642 (Was built as S class Cleveland & Pittsburgh #642, renumbered #7642 in 1902, renumbered #17642 in 1915) Pittsburgh Works, 1887. May 1902 to B5a Class. Unknown Became H2a Class in September 1897, still present during 1915.
17648 (Was built as S class Cleveland & Pittsburgh #648, renumbered #7648 in 1902, renumbered #17648 in 1915) Ft. Wayne Shops, 1886. April 1900 to B5a Class. Unknown Became H2 Class in September 1897, still present during 1915.
17688 (Was built as S class Cleveland & Pittsburgh #688, renumbered #7688 in 1902, renumbered #17688 in 1915) Ft. Wayne Shops, 1887. April 1900 to B5a Class. Unknown Became H2 Class in September 1897, still present during 1915.
17693 (Was built as S class Cleveland & Pittsburgh #693, renumbered #7693 in 1902, renumbered #17693 in 11/1915) Ft. Wayne Shops, 1888. By 1902 to B5a Class. Unknown Became H2 Class in September 1897, still present during 1915.
17914 (Was built as S class Little Miami Ry. #914, renumbered #214 before sale to PRR in 8/1902 as #8914, renumbered #7914 in 3/1917, renumbered #17914 in 9/1918) Baldwin, 1888. By 1903 to B5a Class. December 1920 Became H2 Class in September 1897.
17938 (Was built as S class Little Miami Ry. #938, renumbered #238 before sale to PRR in 8/1902 as #8938, renumbered #7938 in 3/1917, renumbered #17938 in early 1918) Ft. Wayne Shops, 1887. May 1914 to B5a Class. October 1918 Became H2a Class in September 1897.
17942 (Was built as S class Little Miami Ry. #942, sale to PRR in 8/1902 as #8942, renumbered #7942 in 3/1917, renumbered #17942 in 3/1919) Columbus Shops, 1890. By 1903 to B5a Class. January 1922 Became H2 Class in September 1897.
17945 (Was built as S class Little Miami Ry. #945, renumbered #245 before sale to PRR in 8/1902 as #8945, renumbered #7945 in 3/1917, renumbered #17945 in 3/1919) Columbs Shops, 1887. Sometime after 8/1908 to B5a Class. January 1922 Became H2a Class in September 1897.
18014 (Was built as S class PCC&ST.L.Ry. #14, renumbered #8014 in 1902, renumbered #18014 in 10/1917) Columbus Shops, 1887. 1900 to B5a Class. March 1918 Became H2 Class in September 1897.
18022 (Was built as I class PCC&ST.L.Ry. #533?, renumbered #8022 in 6/1908, renumbered #18022 in 9/1913) Pittsburgh Works, 1883. By 1908 to B5 Class. November 1914 Became H1 Class in September 1897.
18085 (Was built as I class PCC&ST.L.Ry. #1220?, renumbered #8085 in 12/1910, renumbered #18085 in 9/1918) Altoona Shops, 1884. Unknown, before 1915 to B5 Class. July 1919 Became H1 Class in September 1897.
18172 (Was built as I class PCC&ST.L.Ry. #1259, renumbered #8172 in 1909, renumbered #18172 in 1912) Grant Works, 1883. Unknown, before 1915 to B5 Class. December 1914 Became H1 Class in September 1897.
18189 (Was built as I class PCC&ST.L.Ry. #189, renumbered #8189 in 1902, renumbered #18189 in 1915) Grant Works, 1883. December 1909 to B5 Class. February 1916 Became H1 Class in September 1897.
18192 (Was built as S class PCC&ST.L.Ry. #192, renumbered #8192 in 1902, renumbered #18192 in 3/1919) Columbus Shops, 1890. By 1908 to B5a Class. December 1920 Became H2 Class in September 1897.
18234 (Was built as I class PCC&ST.L.Ry. #234, renumbered #8234 in 1902, renumbered #18234 in 1916) Grant Works, 1883. April 1901 to B5 Class. Unknown Became H1 Class in September 1897, sold to New Owner in April 1917.
18235 (Was built as I class PCC&ST.L.Ry. #235, renumbered #8235 in 1902, renumbered #18235 in 1912) Grant Works, 1883. January 1901 to B5 Class. November 1914 Became H1 Class in September 1897.
18353 (Was built as I class PCC&ST.L.Ry. #395, renumbered #8395 in 1902, renumbered #8353 in 11/1912, renumbered #18353 in 1919) Altoona Works, 1882. By 1903 to B5 Class. Unknown Became H1 Class in September 1897, sold to New Owner in June 1920.
18391 (Was built as I class PCC&ST.L.Ry. #391, renumbered #8391 in 1902, renumbered #18391 in 11/1912) Grant Works, 1883. October 1912 to B5 Class. January 1915 Became H1 Class in September 1897.
8432 (Was built as S class PCC&ST.L.Ry. #690, renumbered #8402 in 3/1907, renumbered #18402 in 1919, renumbered #8432 finally in 12/1923) Ft. Wayne Shops, 1889. June 1917 to B5a Class. June 1927 Became H2 Class in September 1897.
18902 (Was built as S class Little Miami Ry. #902, renumbered #202 before sale to PRR in 8/1902 as #8902, renumbered #18902 in 1/1914) Altoona Shops, 1887. August 1900 to B5a Class. December 1914 Became H2 Class in September 1897.
18922 (Was built as I class PCC&ST.L.Ry. #193, renumbered #8922 in 3/1905, renumbered #18922 in 2/1913) Altoona Shops, 1885. August 1901 to B5 Class. November 1914 Became H1 Class in September 1897.
18923 (Was built as I class PCC&ST.L.Ry. #352, renumbered #8352 in 8/1902, renumbered #8923 in 6/1903, renumbered #18932 in early 1916) Grant Works, 1883. August 1901 to B5 Class. November 1916 Became H1 Class in September 1897.
18931 (Was built as I class Little Miami Ry. #931, renumbered #293 before sale to PRR in 8/1902 as #8931, renumbered #18931 in 3/1916) Altoona Shops, 1883. April 1900 to B5 Class. Unknown Became H1 Class in September 1897, still present during 1916.
3218 (Was built as S class Allegheny Valley #4, renumbered #6405 in 6/1903, renumbered #3218 in 6/1910) Baldwin, 1889. Became B5 Class, unknown when rebuilt. Unknown Became H2 Class in September 1897, taken out of use in 1910 possibly and sold to New Owner in 1914.
3219 (Was built as S class Allegheny Valley #16, renumbered #6406 in 6/1903, renumbered #3219 in 6/1910) Baldwin, 1890. Became B5 Class, unknown when rebuilt. March 1913 Became H2 Class in September 1897.
8049 (Was built as I class PCC&ST.L.Ry. #1217, renumbered #8217 in 1902, renumbered #8803 in 3/1905, briefly renumbered before 1907 as PCC&ST.L. #X1049, renumbered #8049 finally in 4/1905) Grant Works, 1883. October 1902 to B5 Class. Unknown Became H1 Class in September 1897, sold to New Owner in April 1908.
9785 (Was built as S class PFt.W&C.Ry. #93, renumbered #7093 at unknown date before becoming #7815 in 1/1903, renumbered #9314 in 1908, renumbered #7976 in 10/1911, renumbered #9785 finally in 3/1912) Ft. Wayne Shops, 1887. Before 1908 to B5a Class. Sometime before 1920. Became H2a Class in September 1897.
3220 (Was built possibly as S class Allegheny Valley #6, renumbered #6407 in 6/1903, renumbered #3220 in 6/1910, possibly renumbered #03220 but unknown that year) Baldwin, 1887. Before 1908 to B5 Class. Unknown Became H2 Class in September 1897, sold to New Owner in February 1914.
7009 (Was built as I class PFt.W&CRy. #9, renumbered #7009 in 1902, renumbered PCC&ST.L.Ry. #X9 in 1/1907) Ft. Wayne Shops, 1885. August 1898 to B5 Class. October 1907 Became H1 Class in September 1897.
7121 (Was built as S class PFt.W&C.Ry. #121, renumbered #7121 in 1902) Ft. Wayne Shops, 1887. Became B5a Class, unknown when rebuilt. Gone by November 1913. Became H2 Class in September 1897.
7024 (Was built as S class PFt.W&C.Ry. #24, renumbered #7024 in 1902) Ft. Wayne Shops, 1888. November 1900 to B5a Class. Gone by November 1913. Became H2 Class in September 1897.
X502 (Was built as I class Pennsylvania Co. #502, renumbered #7502 in 11/1902, renumbered PCC&ST.L.Ry. #x502 in 1/1907) Ft. Wayne Shops, 1883. January 1900 to B5 Class. June 1909 Became H1 Class in September 1897.
X533 (Was built as I class Pennsylvania Co. #533, renumbered #7533 in 1902, renumbered #X533 in 1907) Pittsburgh Works, 1883. Became B5 Class, unknown when rebuilt. Unknown Became H1 Class in September 1897, still present during 1907.
3221 (Was built as S class Allegheny Valley #26, renumbered #6408 in 6/1903, renumbered #3221 in 6/1910) Baldwin, 1889? Became B5 Class, unknown when rebuilt. August 1913 Became H2 Class in September 1897.
5205 (Was built as I class Philadelphia, Wilmington & Baltimore #205, renumbered #5205 in 1904. Baldwin, 1883. By 1905 to B5 Class. August 1907 Became H1 Class in September 1897.
3222 (Was built as S class Allegheny Valley #29, renumbered #6409 in 6/1903, renumbered #3222 in 6/1910, possibly renumbered #03222 but unknown during 1911) Baldwin, 1887. Became B5 Class, unknown when rebuilt. August 1913 Became H2 Class in September 1897.
4004 (Was built as I class North. Central Ry. #3004, renumbered #4004 in 1903) Altoona Shops, 1880. June 1900 to B5 Class. May 1904 Became H1 Class in September 1897.
4009 (Was built as I class North. Central Ry. #3009, renumbered #4009 in 1903) Altoona Shops, 1880. January 1900 to B5 Class. September 1904 Became H1 Class in September 1897.
4065 (Was built as I class North. Central Ry. #3065, renumbered #4065 in 1903) Altoona Shops, 1881. June 1900 to B5 Class. February 1905 Became H1 Class in September 1897.
4068 (Was built as I class North. Central Ry. #3068, renumbered #4068 in 1903) Altoona Shops, 1881. April 1901 to B5 class. November 1905 Became H1 Class in September 1897.
5371 (Was built as I class Philadelphia, Wilmington & Baltimore #71, renumbered #5071 in 1904, renumbered #5371 in 1905) Altoona Shops, 1881. April 1901 to B5 class. July 1908 Became H1 Class in September 1897.
3223 (Was built as S class Allegheny Valley #30, renumbered #5410 in 6/1903, renumbered #3223 in 6/1910) Baldwin, 1887. Became B5 Class, unknown when rebuilt. March 1913 Became H2 Class in September 1897.
5371 (Was built as I class Philadelphia, Wilmington & Baltimore #146, renumbered #5146 in 1904) Altoona Shops, 1882. By 1903 to B5 Class. By December 1905 Became H1 Class in September 1897.
5199 (Was built as I class Philadelphia, Wilmington & Baltimore #199, renumbered #5199 in 1903) Altoona Shops, 1883. By 1903 to B5 Class. By December 1905 Became H1 Class in September 1897.
7120 (Was built as S class PFt.W&C.Ry. #120, renumbered #7120 in 1902) Ft. Wayne Shops, 1887. December 1900 to B5a Class. By November 1913 Became H2 Class in September 1897.
7151 (Was built as S class PFt.W&C.Ry. #151, renumbered #7151 in 1902) Ft. Wayne Shops, 1888. Became B5a class, unknown when rebuilt. By July 1913 Became H2 Class in September 1897.
7154 (Was built as S class PFt.W&C.Ry. #154, renumbered #7154 in 1902) Ft. Wayne Shops, 1888. September 1900 to B5a class. By November 1913 Became H2 Class in September 1897.
7199 (Was built as I class PFt.W&C.Ry. #199, renumbered #7199 in 1902) Ft. Wayne Shops, 1886. December 1899 to B5 class. By February 1904 Became H1 Class in September 1897.
7096 (Was built as S class PFt.W&C.Ry. #96, renumbered #7096 in 1902) Ft. Wayne Shops, 1887. March 1900 to B5a class. By November 1913 Became H2 Class in September 1897.
X81 (Was built as I class PFt.W&C.Ry. #81, renumbered #7081 in 1902, renumbered PCC&ST.L.Ry. #X81 in 1904) Ft. Wayne Shops, 1883. May 1899 to B5 class. Unknown Became H1 Class in September 1897.
X85 (Was built as I class PFt.W&C.Ry. #85, renumbered #7085 in 1902, renumbered PCC&ST.L.Ry. #X85 in 1904.) Ft. Wayne Shops, 1883. September 1902 to B5 class. Unknown Became H1 Class in September 1897, sold to New Owner in February 1910.
7238 (Was built as S class PFt.W&C.Ry. #238, renumbered #7238 in 1902) Pittsburgh Works, 1887. Became B5a class, unknown when rebuilt. By December 1913 Became H2a Class in September 1897.
X305 (Was built as I class PFt.W&C.Ry. #305, renumbered #7305 in 8/1902, renumbered PCC&ST.L.Ry. #X305 in 2/1904.) Ft. Wayne Shops, 1883. 1900 to B5 class. Unknown Became H1 Class in September 1897.
X309 (Was built as I class PFt.W&C.Ry. #309, renumbered #7309 in 8/1902, renumbered PCC&ST.L.Ry. #X309 in 7/1907.) Ft. Wayne Shops, 1883. March 1900 to B5 class. May 1910 Became H1 Class in September 1897.
X534 (Was built as I class Pennsylvania Co. #534, renumbered #7534 in 1902, renumbered PCC&ST.L.Ry. #X534 in 1907 and renumbered #8387 in 5/1908) Pittsburgh Works, 1883. Became B5 class, unknown when rebuilt. February 1918 Became H1 Class in September 1897.
7570 (Was built as I class PFt.W&C.Ry. #118, renumbered #7570in 1902, renumbered possibly as PRR #570 in 5/1907) Ft. Wayne Shops, 1885. Became B5 class, unknown when rebuilt. Unknown Became H1 Class in September 1897.
X321 (Was built as I class PFt.W&C.Ry. #321, renumbered #7321 in 5/1903, renumbered PCC&ST.L.Ry. #x321 in 1/1907) Ft. Wayne Shops, 1885. February 1899 to B5 class. Unknown Became H1 Class in September 1897.
17330 (Was built as S class PFt.W&C.Ry. #330, renumbered #7330 in 1902, renumbered #17330 in 1913) Ft. Wayne Shops, 1887. Became B5a class, unknown when rebuilt. Unknown Became H2a Class in September 1897.
X1007 (Was built as I class PCC&ST.L.Ry. #7, renumbered #8007 in 1902, renumbered #X1007 in 5/1910) Grant Works, 1883. May 1901 to B5 class. July 1912 Became H1 Class in September 1897.
18061 (Was built as I class PCC&ST.L.Ry. #61, renumbered #8061 in 1902, renumbered #18061 in 1912) Altoona Shops, 1884. March 1901 to B5 class. Before 1919 Became H1 Class in September 1897, engine was rebuilt back to H1 class in November 1902.
8074 (Was built as S class PCC&ST.L.Ry. #74, renumbered #8074 in 1902) Ft. Wayne Shops, 1886. Became B5a class, unknown when rebuilt. December 1916 (By new owner) Became H2a Class in September 1897, sold to New Owner in September 1904.
8111 (Was built as I class PCC&ST.L.Ry. #111, renumbered #8111 in 1902) Altoona Shops, 1884. September 1900 to B5 class. After September 1908 Became H1 Class in September 1897, engine was rebuilt back to H1 class in December 1902.
8175 (Was possibly built as S class PCC&ST.L.Ry. #419, renumbered by railway as #175 in 1900, renumbered #8175 in 1902) Ft. Wayne Shops, 1887. August 1905 to B5a class. After September 1908 Became H2a Class in September 1897.
X1180 (Was possibly built as I class PCC&ST.L.Ry. #424, renumbered #180 in 1902, renumbered #8180 same year and renumbered #X1180 in 1910) Grant Works, 1883. July 1900 to B5 class. May 1912 Became H1 Class in September 1897.
X1223 (Was built as I class PCC&ST.L.Ry. #233, renumbered #8233 in 1902, renumbered #X1223 in 1908) Grant Works, 1883. April 1901 to B5 class. Unknown Became H1 Class in September 1897, sold to New Owner in November 1909.
X1924 (Was built as I class PCC&ST.L.Ry. #374, renumbered #8374 in 8/1902, renumbered #8924 in 1/1903, renumbered #X1924 in 1910) Grant Works, 1883. December 1900 to B5 class. June 1912 Became H1 Class in September 1897.
X1390 (Was built as I class PCC&ST.L.Ry. #390, renumbered #8390 in 1902, renumbered #X1390 in 1910) Grant Works, 1883. May 1899 to B5 class. April 1912 Became H1 Class in September 1897.
X1933 (Was built as I class PCC&ST.L.Ry. #384, renumbered #8384 in 8/1902, renumbered #8933 in 1/1904, renumbered #X1933 in early 1907) Grant Works, 1883. February 1900 to B5 class. July 1907 Became H1 Class in September 1897.
X1368 (Was built as I class PCC&ST.L.Ry. #368, renumbered #8368 in 1902, renumbered #X1368 in 2/1907) Grant Works, 1883. May 1905 to B5 class. September 1907 Became H1 Class in September 1897.
9123 (Was built as S class PCC&ST.L.Ry. #349, renumbered #8349 in 1902, renumbered Cincinatti, Lebanon & Northern #15 in 1/1914, returned to PRR #9123 in 9/1920) Baldwin, 1888. Unknown to B5a, but rebuilt again in February 1916 to B5b. March 1921 Became H2a Class in September 1897, was the sole B5b member.
8238 (Was built as S class PCC&ST.L.Ry. #238, renumbered #500 and #20 before 1902, renumbered #8238 in 1902, renumbered in 1914 as #18238 possibly) Ft. Wayne Shops, 1889. Became B5a class, unknown when rebuilt. December 1914 Became H2a Class in September 1897.
X1259 (Was built as I class PCC&ST.L.Ry. #259, was renumbered #8259 in 1902 and renumbered #X1259 in 3/1907) Grant Works, 1883. August 1900 to B5 class. Unknown Became H1 Class in September 1897.
X1272 (Was built as I class PCC&ST.L.Ry. #272, renumbered #8272 in 1902, renumbered #X1272 in 1/1908) Grant Works, 1883. August 1900 to B5 class. Unknown Became H1 Class in September 1897, sold to New Owner in July 1908.
8922 (Was built as I class PCC&ST.L.Ry. #325, renumbered #8325 in 1902, renumbered #8922 in 6/1903, renumbered Cincinatti, Lebanon & Northern #8 in 9/1903. Grant Works, 1883. July 1901 to B5 class. Gone by July 1911 Became H1 Class in September 1897, sold to New Owner in September 1903.
8911 (Was built as I class Little Miami Ry. #911, renumbered #8911 in 8/1902, possibly renumbered #X1911 before 1910) Grant Works, 1883. Became B5 class, unknown when rebuilt. Gone by April 1910 Became H1 Class in September 1897.
9119 (Was Ex-Cincinatti, Lebanon & Northern #11 prior to sale back to PRR where it was renumbered #9119 in 9/1920) Pittsburgh Works, 1890. 1920 to B5a class. Unknown Became H2 Class in September 1897, sold to New Owner in May 1923.
5200 (Was built as Class I Philadelphia, Wilmington & Baltimore #200, renumbered #5200 in 1904) Baldwin, 1883. Became B5 class, unknown when rebuilt. Unknown Became H1 Class in September 1897, sold to New Owner in March 1905.
5201 (Was built as Class I Philadelphia, Wilmington & Baltimore #201, renumbered #5201 in 1904) Baldwin, 1883. Became B5 class, unknown when rebuilt. August 1908 Became H1 Class in September 1897.
5203 (Was built as Class I Philadelphia, Wilmington & Baltimore #203, renumbered #5203 in 1904) Altoona Shops, 1883. Became B5 class, unknown when rebuilt. January 1908 Became H1 Class in September 1897.
5202 (Was built as Class I Philadelphia, Wilmington & Baltimore #202, renumbered #5202 in 1904) Altoona Shops, 1884. Became B5 class, unknown when rebuilt. July 1908 Became H1 Class in September 1897.
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