Pennsylvania Railroad Class L1s were 2-8-2 "Mikado"-type steam locomotives that were used on the Pennsylvania Railroad during the early twentieth century. These 574 locomotives were manufactured between 1914 and 1919 by the railroad's own Juniata Shops (344 examples) as well as the Baldwin Locomotive Works (205) and the Lima Locomotive Works (25).

Pennsylvania Railroad 520 is a preserved L1s class 2-8-2 "Mikado" type steam locomotive built in December 1916 by the Baldwin Locomotive Works for the Pennsylvania Railroad for freight duties as a member of the L1s class.

There is one surviving PRR Class L1 2-8-2 locomotive. It is number 520 that is now on display at the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania in Strasburg, PA. USRA allocated "Mikado-Light" locomotives.

L1s #520, which remained in service until almost the end of steam operations, hauled one of the last steam-powered passenger trains on the PRR: a railfan special between Enola Yard and Northumberland, Pennsylvania.

Aug 14, 2023 · These 2-8-2 “Mikado”-type steam locomotives were in service on the PRR during the early 1900s – some 574 locos were made between 1914 and 1919. While other railroads may have had more Mikados in total, the PRR boasted the largest class of 2-8-2’s around.

Utilizing the K4s boiler, firebox, cab and trailing truck, the PRR created to this day the largest 2-8-2 Mikado class. Sitting on 62in drivers, stretching 82ft in length, and standing 15ft tall, the L1s Mikados dwarfed they’re H class counterparts both in size and power.

The PRR's class L1s was a Mikado that received the same boiler as the K4s class Pacific. Despite the great performance of this boiler with the Belpaire firebox, these locomotives were not equipped with a stoker ex works and many of them were not retrofitted later.

L1s were the freight counterparts to the famous K-4s because of their identical boilers. They were originally built to replace 2-8-0's in main line freight work. They were later to be known as "heroes" of World Wars I and II. The L1s gained their popularity during World War I, with the delivery of much-needed goods to U.S. soldiers.

Class L1s on the Pennsylvania Railroad comprised 574 2-8-2 "Mikado" type steam locomotives constructed between 1914 and 1919 by the railroad's own Juniata Shops (344 examples) as well as the Baldwin Locomotive Works (205) and the Lima Locomotive Works (25).

Mar 23, 2023 · K&L Trainz is continuing their 10th Anniversary by reissuing another original locomotive from 2012: The PRR L1s Mikado! Rebuilt with endless details, functional cab interior, working cab signals, this set includes both the Prewar and Postwar configurations, as well as rebuilt PRR N6b wooden cabooses.