Alaska Railroad #902 creation in HO Scale by Patrick J. Durand

Class PAC. 156 22/28 consisted of two locomotives #901 and #902. Their construction numbers at Baldwin were separated by nearly 8000 units reflecting the prolific production between 62515 of Dec 1940 and 70336 of June 1945. Both came new to the Alaska Railroad and #901 was involved in the only head on, corn field meet collision on the Alaska Railroad at about MP 112 in Anchorage.

#902 was selected to model because it was the most modern steam locomotive on the railroad being built in June of 1945. Full roller bearings and all the latest appliances were used. Extra lagging extended right down over the sides of the fire box. Lagging on the injector water delivery and overflow lines helped protect plumbing from the arctic cold. The all weather cab had extra windows to allow the sun in.

At delivery a flanger plow was suspended from the front of the four wheel lead truck. This was connected by chains to bell cranks and an air brake cylinder on the pilot deck so it could be operated from the cab.

A snow plow was applied only seasonally according to the photographic evidence. Harriman number boards were in use at one time installed adjacent to the stack. Some photos show both pacifics with a sheet metal apparatus mounted behind the stack. Looks like some chief mechanical engineers idea of a smoke lifter. They came and went over the life of the machines.

The pacifics weighed 156,000 pounds on the drivers and delivered 36,500 pounds tractive effort. Total weight of tender and locomotive was 446,500 pounds. Tender capacity was 14 tons of coal and 10000 gallons of water. They were stoker equipped and the all weather cab made them choice winter assignments.

Rosters reflect they had 63" diameter drivers. There are written references to 69" drivers but 63" seems more likely for the slow mixed service they were used in.

The model started with an Athern Genesis Pacific. The drivers actually measure 71 scale inches but the total wheel base, overall length and the proportions of wheel spacing are within inches in every dimension to the prototype. The photos of the model reflect a very good likeness of the prototype.

A parts list is provided here for those folks contemplating making the conversion. The construction of the model requires that subassemblies be maintained to ensure future access for service. Matching all the plumbing and fitting parts required repeated assembly and tear down work of the super structure.

A construction article is being written and will be appended here when complete. This was the most complex construction project I have undertaken so far and the most rewarding. -- Pat Durand