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Altoona Railway Museum Club: PRR K-4s #1361 Restoration

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Background of the PRR K-4s #1361
Steam Locomotive Restoration Project

Updated: April 11, 2017!

 

"PRR K4s #1361 was donated by the PRR to the City of Altoona on June 8, 1957. The railroad agreed to place the locomotive on display at the Horseshoe Curve to enhance the Curve park. At the same time the railroad began what would be a 30+ year lease where the Curve park was leased to the City. The City of Altoona agreed to maintain and operate the Park.

 

1361_1957.jpg (99938 bytes) Collection of Chris Behe.   Photographer Unknown.

K-4s_ 1361_HORSESHOE_CURVE_ca_1977.jpg (32982 bytes)

"This is the K-4 at Horseshoe Curve circa 1977 (estimated) when the Horseshoe Curve Chapter was assisting the City of Altoona in maintaining [cosmetically], the K-4. In those days, as a public service to the city, the Chapter furnished manpower and the city furnished paint. We chipped, wire-brushed and painted the locomotive, and maintained the spotlights around the locomotive. Many a Saturday night we were up there late and this is one of those occasions."  David Seidel Photograph

(Photo by Sheldon L. Burns.  From Postcard.) Date Unknown. Chris Behe collection.

Altoona News Agency Postcard.of Memorial K4 Steam locomotive donated to the City of Altoona by the PRR at Horseshoe Curve ceremonies, June 8, 1957.  Chris Behe collection.

 

In 1985, with assistance and guidance from Altoona State Representative Rick Geist, the locomotive underwent an assessment f or possible return to service. When the assessment revealed it was feasible for a return to service, the Museum approached the City of Altoona. The City agreed to turn over title to the locomotive to the Museum. Conrail agreed to facilitate the removal of the K4 from the Curve. In September of that same year the locomotive was towed off the Curve and into a shop in the Juniata complex.

During the 1970's (1977?), Horseshoe Curve Chapter NRHS, as a community oriented project, began to maintain K-4 No. 1361 for the City of Altoona at Horseshoe Curve Park. This effort involved sanding, wire brushing, and touch up cosmetic paint work on this locomotive as well as maintaining and replacing all of the spotlights around the locomotive, which was floodlit at night.

(Photo by Sheldon L. Burns.  From Postcard.) Date Unknown.  Chris Behe collection.

Altoona News Agency Postcard of Memorial K4 Steam locomotive donated to the City of Altoona by the PRR at Horseshoe Curve ceremonies, June 8, 1957.  Chris Behe collection.

Painting the fencing.

Paul Westbrook and Tim Reese.

ED HUNT GARY BEEFELT ROY C HUNT UNKNOWN LARRY McKEE K-4 1361.jpg (48415 bytes)

July 1977 when Horseshoe Curve Chapter NRHS engaged in a community service program to maintain K-4 # 1361 at Horseshoe Curve. Left to right: Ed Hunt, Gary Beefelt (deceased), Roy C. Hunt (deceased), unknown, and Larry McKee. Photo by David Seidel

Paul Burrows in the Engineer's Seat.

 

September 1985

PRR K-4s #1361 at Horseshoe Curve prior to its being removed by Conrail. 9/30/85 Here the K-4 is in the process of being moved onto the main line. However, a problem with the temporary track caused a derailment. Crews are in the process of repairing the track. 9/30/1985
PRR K-4s #1361 at "Slope".   9/30/1985 PRR GP-9 #7048 at "Slope" on 9/30/1985. Awaiting placement at Horseshoe Curve.
PRR K-4s #1361 on the turntable, Juniata Shops, Altoona, PA. Unknown photographer. 9/30/1985 PRR K-4s #1361 at a Ceremony at the Railroaders Memorial Museum. 1985

 

Using a mix of paid and volunteer labor the locomotive was returned to service in April 1987.   During that year and the year that followed, a number of excursions were operated on non-Conrail short-lines in the region. 

 

1986

1986 DAVE MUSSER BOB HEPLER WAYNE LAEPPLE.jpg (36785 bytes)

Left to right: Dave Musser, Bellwood, Pa., (deceased), Bob Hepler, Williamsport, Pa. and Wayne Laepple. Photo by David Seidel   winter 1986-87

1986 DENVER THOMPSON  K4 1361.jpg (24196 bytes)

Photo of volunteer Denver Thompson working on the 1986 restoration project for ex-PRR steam locomotive-class K4s # 1361 at Altoona Car Shop, Conrail. Photo by David Seidel

1986 DICK YAGER  K4-1361.jpg (33023 bytes)

Photo of project worker Dick Yager of Milwaukee, WI, during 1986/87 restoration of ex-PRR steam locomotive # 1361, Class K-4s. Mr. Yager was an associate of Doyle McCormick in the restoration of steam locomotives. Photograph by David Seidel

1986 K4 1361 JIM GOTTSHALL JR.jpg (34196 bytes)

"Junior" Gottshall (James Gottshall Jr) of Catawissa, Pa., working on journal boxes for K4 # 1361 tender at Conrail's Altoona Car Shop during 1986.  Photo by David Seidel

1986 K4 1361 PAUL FERRY.jpg (44709 bytes)

Photo of Paul Ferry, Latrobe, Pa., working on backhead of K4 # 1361 at Altoona Car Shop (Conrail) during 1986 restoration. Photo by David Seidel

1986 K4 1361 WAYNE LAEPPLE LINWOOD HILL LEROY DUFFY.jpg (28808 bytes)

Altoona Car Shop, K-4 Project

R to L:  Wayne Laepple, Linwood Hill, Leroy Duffy.  Photo by David Seidel.

1986 LES SHAEFER WORKING ON AUX TENDER.jpg (31952 bytes)

Photo of Les Shaefer working on the auxiliary tender to accompany K4 # 1361. Photo by David Seidel.....winter 1986-87

1986 LLOYD MURRAY  DOYLE McCORMICK and 2 unknown.jpg (35113 bytes)

Mr. Lloyd Murray, former PRR steam machinist, Altoona, confers with Doyle McCormick during the 1986 restoration of steam locomotive class K-4s # 1361. Two workers at right are unidentified. Photo by David Seidel  winter 1986-87

1986 TIM REESE DENNY WALLS.jpg (46299 bytes)

Photo of Wayne T. "Tim" Reese (now deceased) and Denny Walls, volunteers on the K4-restoration project from Horseshoe Curve Chapter, NRHS. Photo by David Seidel

1986 TONY FEBBO  K4-1361.jpg (40239 bytes)

Photo of volunteer Anthony "Tony" Febbo, welding a patch on smokebox door of ex-PRR steam locomotive No. 1361 during the 1986/87 restoration. Photo by David Seidel

DOYLE McCORMICK CJ MOORE K4-1361.jpg (33423 bytes)

Photo of Doyle McCormick and C. J. Moore (now deceased) working on K4 # 1361 during the 1986/87 restoration at Altoona (Conrail) Car Shop. Doyle McCormick, of Portand, OR was the project expert directing the restoration. Photo by David Seidel.

FRANK COLLEY MIKE QUINN PETE PONTIUS TIM REESE.jpg (34777 bytes)

 

Left to Right: Frank Colley (deceased), Mike Quinn, Pete Pontius, Wayne T (Tim) Reese (deceased)  winter 1986-87

 

k4 1361 JEFF PONTIUS 1986.jpg (32191 bytes)

Photo of Jeff Pontius working at tool bench during 1986/87 restoration of K4 # 1361 at Altoona Car Shop (Conrail). Photo by David Seidel

1986 DAVE MUSSER ON K4 PROJECT.jpg (30024 bytes) 1986 Dave Musser (deceased), works on K4 # 1361 project at Conrail's Altoona Car Shop facility. Photo by David Seidel
1986 DENVER THOMPSON ON K4 PROJECT.jpg (42505 bytes) 1986 K4 restoration project. Denver Thompson assists in parts preparation at Conrail's Altoona Car Shop. Photo by David Seidel 1986 DOYLE McCORMICK K-4 WORK.jpg (45976 bytes) Doyle McCormick at work on restoration of ex-PRR K4 steam locomotive # 1361. Work at Conrail's Altoona Car Shop. Note placement of new boiler insulation material. Photo by David Seidel
1986 JIM GOTTSHALL JR CRANE ACS.jpg (40744 bytes) 1986 project for K4 # 1361 restoration at Conrail's Altoona Car Shop. Jim Gottshall Jr. operates the overhead 25 ton crane. Photo by David Seidel 1986 K4 PROJECT DIR ROY PRICE EXAMINES STOKER SCREW.jpg (30847 bytes) 1986 K4 Locomotive # 1361 restoration at Conrail's Altoona Car Shop. Project Director Roy Price examines the stoker screw for the locomotive. Photo by David Seidel
1986 MIKE QUINN WORKING ON K4 TRUCK ASSY.jpg (33431 bytes) 1986 restoration of ex-PRR class K-4s steam locomotive # 1361. Mike Quinn assists on truck assembly work at Conrail's Altoona Car Shop. Photo by David Seidel 1986 WORK ON K4 TRAILING TRUCK WAYNE LAEPPLE.jpg (84673 bytes) 1986: Wayne Laepple works on trailing truck of ex-PRR class K-4s steam locomotive # 1361 at Conrail's Altoona Car Shop. Photo by David Seidel
1986_DAVE_MUSSER_PETE_PONTIUS_K4_TRUCK_WORK.jpg (35635 bytes) 1986: Dave Musser (deceased), and Pete Pontius work on K4 truck assembly at Altoona Car Shop (Conrail). Photo by David Seidel 1986_DOYLE_McCORMICK_RONALD_L_RAY_SR_CUT_K4_SHEET_METAL.jpg (34860 bytes) 1986 Doyle McCormick and Ronald L. Ray Sr cutting sheet metal for K4 jacket at Conrail's Altoona Car Shop. Photo by David Seidel
1986_PETE_PONTIUS_RON_RAY_SR_K4_SHEETMETAL.jpg (43742 bytes) 1986 restoration project of K4 # 1361 at Conrail's Altoona Car Shop. Pete Pontius and Ron Ray Sr scribe and cut sheet metal jacketing. Photo by David Seidel            

 

1987

BILL TEMPLE K4 1361 PROJECT 1986.jpg (36241 bytes) 1986. Volunteer Bill Temple works at the drill press on the K4 # 1361 project in Conrail's Altoona Car Shop. Photo by David Seidel DAVE SEIDEL ON NEEDLE GUN AUX TENDER 2-87.jpg (71445 bytes) Feb 1987. Dave Seidel using needle gun to remove paint from intended auxiliary tender. Conrail Altoona Car Shop. Photo by Denver Thompson
CONRAIL PETTIBONE CRANE TO LIFT K4 1361 3-87.jpg (74096 bytes) March 18, 1987. With the help of Conrail's Pettibone Crane, K4 # 1361 is lifted from cribbing in Conrail's Altoona Car Shop so the main driving wheels to be rolled under the chassis/frame. Photo by David Seidel 3-87 CONRAIL PETTIBONE CREW K4 LIFT.jpg (80065 bytes) 3-18-1987. Conrail Pettibone Crane lift crew. K4 was lifted on cribbing today for placement of main driving wheels underneath. Photo by David Seidel
JOHN TURKELI GUIDES K4 1361 PONY TRUCK ONTO TRACK.jpg (34852 bytes) 1987. John Turkeli of Farmingdale, NY, guides K4 pony truck to shop track at Conrail Altoona Car Shop. Photo by David Seidel 3-87 MOVING DRIVING WHEELS UNDER K4.jpg (52509 bytes)  March 1987. Restoration of K4 # 1361 nearing completion. Shop crews (volunteers) move driving wheels under the locomotive which has been raised by Conrail Mobile Crane employees. Photo by David Seidel
BOB GIRARD OF SUNBURY PA WORKS ON K4 1361   1986.jpg (21350 bytes) 1986. Bob Girard, Sunbury, PA works on K4 # 1361 at Conrail Altoona Car Shop. Photo by David Seidel

1987 JIM GOTTSHALL JR  K4 PROJECT.jpg (79024 bytes)

Photo of James Gottshall Jr. working on underbody of coach owned by Horseshoe Curve Chapter, NRHS, Spring 1987, to assist the Chapter in preparing its equipment for the inaugural run of ex-PRR steam locomotive No. 1361, class K-4s. Both units were in the Altoona Car Shop of Conrail at the same time. Photo by David Seidel

1987 JOHN TURKELI WORKING ON K4 1361.jpg (43386 bytes)

Photo of John Turkeli of Farmingdale, LI, NY., working on K4-1361 March 1987 as the project was nearing completion. Photo by David Seidel

3-87 CONRAIL ACS HCC COACH PREP.jpg (32854 bytes)  March 1987. Interior of Conrail Altoona Car Shop where most of the K-4 restoration work was completed. With the K4 moved outside for tests, work progressed on coach rehabilitation by Horseshoe Curve Chapter NRHS. Sand blasting and repainting were necessary prior to the inaugural run of the K4 on 4-12-1987. Photo by David Seidel

1987 ELBERT RED LEIGHTY  K-4 1361.jpg (51836 bytes)

Photo of Elbert "Red" Leighty trying out the engineers seat in the nearly ready K-4 # 1361 at Altoona Car Shop (Conrail). Mr. Leighty, a volunteer on the 1986/87 restoration project, died in 1997. Standing at the rear of the locomotive cab (front) is Joe Musser. Photo by David Seidel

           

 

  

December 18, 1987.

The K-4 restoration/operating crew had the opportunity to go to Harrisburg for a signing of House Bill 1211, which was "An Act selecting, designating and adopting official steam and electric locomotives of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania".

Standing: Ed Hinkle, Pete Pontius, William Withuhn, Elbert "Red" Leighty, Denver Thompson, Roy Price, Ray Goodman, Rodney Wike, David Seidel, Joe Musser, Jeff Pontius, Ed Wilt, Bill Decker, George Thompson. Absent from photo: Wayne T. (Tim) Reese. John Turkeli, Wayne (Time) Reese, Gary Price, and Dave Musse

Seated: Representative Johnson, Governor Robert P. Casey, Representative Rick Geist.

 

1987:  "The K-4 Lives Again"

Final adjustments following the K-4's first restoration. Conrail's Juniata Miscellaneous Shop #1, Altoona, PA. 4/1987

4-12-87 INAUG RUN OF K4 1361 LVG ACS.jpg (43782 bytes)  Palm Sunday, April 12, 1987. K4 # 1361 leaves Conrail Altoona Car Shop on the Inaugural shakedown run to Bellefonte. After coupling to train, proceeded east to Tyrone (light) and to the former PRR Bald Eagle Branch. All restoration participant crew were afforded the opportunity to board at Vail about one mile north of Tyrone, for the trip to Bellefonte. Only operating crew were aboard between Altoona and Tyrone on the Conrail Main Line. Photo by David Seidel 4-12-87 INAUG RUN OF K4 1361 LVG ACS-2.jpg (36223 bytes)   Photo by David Seidel
4-12-87 INAUG RUN OF K4 1361 LVG ACS-3.jpg (51602 bytes)   Photo by David Seidel 6-21-1987 K4 1361 EBD FOSTORIA.jpg (40348 bytes)  June 21, 1987, K4 # 1361 eastbound on the Conrail Main at Fostoria, east of Bellwood, Pa., enroute to Tyrone (Vail) to head another excursion train to Bellefonte on the Nittany and Bald Eagle RR (former PRR Bald Eagle Branch). Approximate speed of locomotive at this location 60+ mph, and barking smartly. Photo by David Seidel
6-87 K4 1361 TYRONE PA.jpg (41637 bytes)  6-21-1987. K4 # 1361 has just left the Conrail Mainline at Tyrone, Pa and is heading north on the former PRR Bald Eagle Branch. Passengers will board at Vail approximately 2 miles north. This location is along the north side of the Tyrone passenger station site. Photographer David Seidel is standing on opposite span which formed a WYE at this location for trains entering or leaving the Bald Eagle Branch at the Main Line Junction. 7-87 K4 1361 WASHINGTON AVE TYRONE PA.jpg (65148 bytes)  7-87 K4 1361 arriving Tyrone Pa, headed northbound on the former PRR Bald Eagle Branch. Scene is along Washington Avenue where RR runs down center of street from Station area toward the Westvaco paper mill. On this occasion, as light rain was falling and created traction difficulties for the K-4 during the next several town blocks. Photo by David Seidel
4-12-87 K4 1361 APPROACHING BELLEFONTE.jpg (59900 bytes) 4-12-1987 K4 # 1361 approaches Bellefonte, PA on the inaugural run. Doyle McCormicks SP tool car, the "Yes Dear" adds color to the consist on a dreary, rainy day although to all volunteers riding the shakedown operation, the sun was shining brightly. Photo by David Seidel

1987 EXCURSION OF K4 1361.jpg (61455 bytes)

Photo of a summer excursion by ex-PRR steam locomotive No. 1361, a class K-4s, northbound on the Nittany & Bald Eagle RR approximately one mile north of Vail, Snyder Twp., Blair County, PA. Photo by David Seidel

4-12-87 K41361 AT BELLEFONTE CONRAIL 10.jpg (40410 bytes) 4-12-1987. K4 # 1361 arrives at Bellefonte, PA with consist, which includes coaches of Horseshoe Curve Chapter, NRHS and Conrail Office Car # 10. Included was Doyle McCormicks tool car from the SP Daylight train, the "Yes Dear". Photo by David Seidel 6-21-87 K4 CREW AT BELLEFONTE.jpg (69643 bytes)  June 21, 1987. The K4 crew poses at Bellefonte, Pa., after a successful run. Crew, left to right: William Withuhn, Engineer; Wayne (Tim) Reese (deceased), Dave Musser (deceased), Pete Pontius, Paul Ferry, Harry MacIntosh (front), Jack Hatch (rear/not visible), Tony Febbo, Leroy Duffy (front), Denver Thompson (rear), Joe Musser; Roy Price K-4 Project Supt; Ed Wilt (Light Shirt)-President Keystone Restoration & Preservation (KR&P), present day K4 crew organization; Les Shaffer, and Jeff Pontius. Photo by David Seidel
11-2-1987 K4 1361 8TH ST ALTOONA ARMM TO ACS.jpg (48599 bytes) K4 # 1361 and tool car, Nov 2, 1987 eastbound at 8th St, Altoona. Enroute from ARMM grounds to Altoona Car Shop for winter storage ending the 1987 season. Photo by David Seidel. 1361_BE_PC.jpg (36197 bytes)  Audio-Visual Designs Postcard.  Inaugural Run of the K-4 on 4-12-87, eastbound through Bald Eagle, PA.  Photo by Carl H. Sturner.
K4_at_Museum_PC.jpg (68448 bytes) Mary Jane's Railroad Specialties Postcard.  May 17, 1987 on display with Horseshoe Curve Chapter coach at the Railroaders Memorial Museum.  Photo by Joe Glath.   am_6-87.jpg (122687 bytes)  "K-4 Meets Broadway in Altoona"

June 16, 1987.  Altoona Mirror.  David Seidel Collection.

am_6-22-87-p1.jpg (171966 bytes)  "K-4 Joins Bellefonte for trip back in time."  

Part 1

Monday, June 22, 1987.  Altoona Mirror.  David Seidel Collection.

am_6-22-87-p2.jpg (139591 bytes)  "K-4 Joins Bellefonte for trip back in time."  

Part 2

Monday, June 22, 1987.  Altoona Mirror.  David Seidel Collection.

 

In 1988, while operating a "ferry" move en route back from York, PA, the locomotive suffered a catastrophic failure of a main bearing and drive axle. This resulted in restricted operation of the locomotive on a local basis.  In the Fall of 1988 the locomotive was returned to the Conrail Juniata shop for further assessment.

The assessment coincided with a renewed interest in regulating operation of historic steam locomotives on the part of Federal Railroad Administration officials. That interest triggered several years of debate on how the locomotive should be restored to meet the changing regulations. Intensive inspection and testing of the locomotive followed.

By 1992, Museum officials knew that further restoration would be costly - at a minimum $450,000. Fund-raising was undertaken and a major grant was awarded from the Southwestern Pennsylvania Heritage Preservation Commission. Armed with the funding, Museum officials began to look for how best to accomplish the work while building credibility.

In 1994 the Museum signed a contract with the University of Scranton and the Steamtown National Historic Site in Scranton for restoration of the locomotive. The University would provide project management and the Park would provide shop space, equipment and some labor.

In the Spring of 1995 the locomotive was loaded onto several high-capacity flat cars and moved to Scranton where restoration began later that year. A number of dedicated volunteers and two paid staff began working full-time on the restoration. The price had escalated to just under $700,000. "(by Peter Barton, former-Executive Director, Altoona Railroaders Memorial Museum, Inc)

 

 

 

PRR K-4s #1361 is owned by the Altoona Railroaders Memorial Museum.  The Museum is a business partner with the Horseshoe Curve Chapter, NRHS.
Reporting on the restoration of PRR k-4 #1361 is done under agreement with Museum Officials.

Railfest is a trademark of Railroaders Memorial Museum, Inc. 
The logos for the Altoona Railroaders Memorial Museum are trademarks of the Railroaders Memorial Museum, Inc. 
NRHS and its logo are trademarks of the National Railway Historical Society.  Photographs are by Chris Behe unless otherwise noted.