STEAM ENGINE 202
- Program
- Subject
- Location
- Lat/Long
- Grant Recipient
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Historic Transportation
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Site, Transportation
- 740 City Park Dr, Hagerstown, MD 21740, USA
- 39.635179371818, -77.734808000789
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City of Hagerstown
STEAM ENGINE 202
Inscription
STEAM ENGINE 202LAST SURVIVING K-2 PACIFIC
TYPE 4-6-2 LOCOMOTIVE
STEAM ENGINE OPERATED BY
WESTERN MARYLAND RAILWAY.
BUILT 1912 AND RETIRED 1953.
WILLIAM G. POMEROY FOUNDATION 2024
Western Maryland Railway (WMR) Steam Locomotive #202 is a K-2 Pacific type engine with a 4-6-2 wheel arrangement (four leading wheels, six driving wheels and two trailing wheels) and tender built in 1912 by Baldwin Locomotive Works of Pennsylvania. Originally coal-fired, the locomotive was converted to oil in 1948. It is the only existing K-2 Pacific type of the original nine owned and operated by the Western Maryland Railway.
The name “Pacific” has several possible origins. One is that it is the enlarged version of the Atlantic type steam engine; another is that it is the first North American locomotive engine with this wheel arrangement built for New Zealand Railway in 1902, thus requiring shipment across the Pacific Ocean; and last, that the engine was first used in the U.S. by Missouri Pacific Railroad in 1902.
Western Maryland Railway operated from 1852 to 1961 and played an important role in the development of the western Maryland region, and particularly the city of Hagerstown. The powerful K-2 locomotives handled the WMR’s passenger service from 1912 until 1954, when they were all withdrawn in favor of diesel power. In 1953, locomotive 202 was retired and donated by the WMR to “the children of the City of Hagerstown.”
In 1983, the locomotive was purchased by John Long, who started to restore the locomotive to operating condition, but passed away before full restoration was completed. After his death, ownership of #202 reverted to the City of Hagerstown. Having subsequently spent time being exposed to the elements and vandals, #202 was cosmetically restored in 2008 for an improved appearance. A shelter was built and locomotive is lovingly cared for by a group of fans.
As of 2023, locomotive #202 was located in the Hagerstown City Park Train Hub, near the former Western Maryland Railway Maryland Division maintenance yards.
