P-RSL Steam Locomotives

Class B: 0-6-0

The 0-6-0 type was assigned class B, and was used in switcher service.

B-6sb

P.R.S.L. B6sb 0-6-0 #6096 (From the collection of Lou Fols)

B-8

P-RSL B8 #6052 at Atlantic City NJ 1935

Class E: 4-4-2

The 4-4-2 "Atlantic" type was assigned class E. and was used in passenger service.

E-3sb

P-RSL E3sd #6061 at Camden NJ 6-29-1936

E-6s

P-RSL E6s #6092 Atlanitc City NJ 1944

Class H: 2-8-0

The 2-8-0 "Consolidation" type was assigned class H, The H-6sb and the almost-identical H9, and H10 Consolidations ran branchline freight, work trains, switching service, and pretty much everything else.

H-6sb

P-RSL H6sb #6046 BLW 1906 Camden NJ 6-9-38

H-9s

P-RSL H9s #6093 Camden NJ 1940

H-10s

P-RSL H10s #6093 Camden NJ 1951

The End of Steam

Before dieselization the PRSL was more apt to lease its motive power from either of its parent railroads as it completely lacked any heavy passenger locomotives (like 4-6-2 Pacifics). As its parent railroads began to replace steam with diesel locomotives the PRSL was used to let many displaced steam units run out their useful lives. Perhaps most notably, the late model Reading G3 class Pacific's were used on the Atlantic City main line commuter service in the mid 1950's.

While not operating on the PRSL proper, a number of iconic PRR steam locomotive types made their final runs into the PRSL terminal complex in downtown Camden, NJ. These included the last PRR K4 Pacific, the last PRR E6 Atlantic and in 1959 the last PRR B6 class switcher, which was the last operating steam locomotive on the PRR system.

Leased Reading Power

Leased RDG engine #1588 (class I8sb 2-8-0) at Clinton St. enginehouse Camden NJ
(From the collection of the WJC)

RDG engine #133 (class G1sa 4-6-2) with PRR loco