1911: K-29 Locomotive – Pennsylvania RR

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Innovation: Transportation
Year: 1911
Location: Pennsylvania RR

The K-29 Locomotive was an experimental train that was designed with a superheated boiler and a mechanical stroker [1]. Before the K-29, was a set of experimental train series called the K4, they were mainly passenger trains, although were wasteful in the amount of staff needed to maintain the motion of the train [2]. The K-29 was able to reduce the need for large staffs because of the larger boiler room. Attached to the boiler was a mechanical stroker which used a mechanical conveyor belt as an automatic way for coal to be loaded into the firebox [3]. A superheater is a boiler that converts wet steam to dry steam and reduced the need for coal and water, although still needed to be maintained by a crew [4]. This innovation aided in reducing the extensive staffing on trains and helped increase the efficiency of trains. They were able to travel the further distances without using as much coal and water.

Work Cited: 1, 2, 3, 4

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