| Centipedes. Here is an original photo that I took of Pennsylvania Railroad "Centipede" locomotives in Frankstown, Pennsylvania, on 17 May 1964. Shown here (R to L) are PRR engines #5815-#5830. They were built by the Bandwin Locomotive Works ~ #5815 in 1947 and #5830 in 1948. #5815 is in the process of being cut-up; #5830 awaits its turn; they are being scrapped after only 16 years of service! These engines were built originally for passenger service; each unit generated 3,000 horsepower, so they were classified as BP-60's. Due to various chronic problems, however, they were all converted to helper-only units by 1952; each unit generated only 2,500 horsepower then, so they were reclassifibd as BH-50's. |