History: L1s were
the freight counterparts to the famous K-4s because of their identical
boilers. They were originally built to replace 2-8-0's in main line freight
work. They were later to be known as "heroes" of World Wars
I and II. The L1s gained their popularity during World War I, with the
delivery of much-needed goods to U.S. soldiers.
J.T. Wallis, Superintendant of Motive Power for Lines East, along with
his assistants, Alfred Gibbs and Axel Vogt, planned for the identical
boilers, along with other similar parts, to be in both the L1 and K-4
models, so that the parts could be interchangeable.
Some characteristics of the L1 are: a 27" x 30" cylinder, boiler
pressure of 205 pounds, and a weight of 314,600 pounds. The L1 would later
be improved, with more horsepower, by stoker-firing the engine.
Between the years of 1914 and 1919, shops at Baldwin, Juniata, and Lima
produced 574 locomotives identical to the original developed in 1913.
Modernization of the L1s began in the 1920's. Air tanks were shoved up
front after the implementation of a power reverse gear on boiler-side,
and stokers were introduced very slowly, with some locos never receiving
them at all. The stokers replaced hand firing of the trains. Steel pilot
beams and footboards were also added in later years.
By the mid 1920's the L1s were spreading nationwide. They could be found
throughout the Central and Eastern United States, and some were starting
to spread into the West. With the onslaught of the depression in the 1930's,
and electricfication of the east, L1 engines were now made in surplus,
and pushed onto storage tracks. Two of the large storage yards were located
in Hollidaysburg and Marysville, both towns in Pennsylvania. With the
start of World War II came the implementation of even more stokers. Engines
that had been hand fired were having stokers attached as quickly as possible.
On October 20th of 1957, L1s 520 pulled one of the last steam powered
passenger trains; the era of the steam powered engines was coming to a
close.
The Deluxe Kit Includes: The locomotive
and tender complete kit, a painted engineer and fireman, and all of the "Super
Detail Kit" parts. In addition, the boiler & tender body have been pre-drilled
to enable installation of all the "Super Detail Kit" parts and the valve gear
has been assembled. Please note that some holes may need to reamed to fit
the posts on some parts.
Complete Kit and Accessories: The locomotive
and tender complete kit has all of the parts to build a working model. You may
wish to add your own details or purchase our "Super Detail Kit". In addition
we have a painted engineer and fireman, a smoke unit kit and assemblies available
as optional equipment to compliment your kit-building needs.
Kit Components and Replacement Parts:
The following parts are listed in order to identify parts in your kit or to
replace parts that have been lost, damaged or simply worn out. This is
not a complete list of all of the individual parts available for this model
- please call Bowser with your specific requirements
if you cannot find the parts you need. You may also use our on-line
catalog to find parts by description. Please note that part numbers
with a price of "Call Us" may be part of an assembly and may not be available
as a separate purchase item.
Cylinders
27" x 30"
Firebox size 79-7/8" x 126"
Steam pressure 205 lbs.
Weight of engine in working order 324,700 lbs.
Weight of engine on pony truck 31,000 lbs.
Weight of engine on drivers 232,500 lbs.
Weight of engine on trailing truck 61,200 lbs.
Tractive force 61,465 lbs.
Weight of tender, empty 77,300 lbs.
Weight of tender, loaded 189,850 lbs.
Tender capacity, water 8,835 gals.
Tender capacity, coal 38,935 lbs.
Overall length w/ tender 82' 0-1/4"
Overall height 15 feet
Length
w/ tender 11-1/2"
Height 2-1/8"
Weight 2 lb. 2 oz.
Minimum radius 18"
Drivers 62"
Power Bowser DC-71 motor
Color Brunswick Green
Kit Packets - Photos of individual parts(click
on any image to enlarge)
Side Rod Kit
Miscellaneous Kit
Lead Truck Bag
Valve Gear Parts
Boiler Detail Parts
Trailing Truck Parts
Photos of
Superdetailed Locomotive and Tender model built by Tony Wasilewski
