Boston and Maine 3713


Boston and Maine No. 3713, also known as the "Constitution", is a class "P-4a" 4-6-2 heavy "Pacific" type steam locomotive built by the Lima Locomotive Works for the Boston and Maine Railroad in December 1934. This locomotive is currently being restored to operating condition at the Steamtown National Historic Site in Scranton, Pennsylvania as a part of their operating fleet for use on excursion trains. It is the focus of Project3713, a partnership between the National Park Service and the Lackawanna & Wyoming Valley Railway Historical Society.

History

Design

No. 3713 was one of five "P-4a" class heavy 4-6-2 "Pacifics" ordered by the Boston and Maine in December 1934 at the Lima Locomotive Works in Lima, Ohio. These locomotives were originally built with smoke deflectors, a single air compressor mounted on their pilot deck, and a metal sky-lining shroud covering up the top of their boiler thus giving them a semi-streamlined appearance. In 1936, B&M ordered the final batch of five Pacifics which were delivered in March 1937. These were the last Pacifics built by Lima to date. Slightly classified as P-4b, they were delivered with smoke deflectors, but without the sky-lining shroud.
Designed with 80" drivers, a large firebox, and massive boiler, P-4 Heavy Pacifics would easily cruise at a speed of 70 miles per hour, carrying enough coal to pull a 14-car train for about 250 miles, and enough water to last about 125 miles. Due to wartime conditions with World War II, P-4s were all de-shrouded along with their smoke deflectors removed for easier maintenance. Around 1944 or 1945, a second air compressor was added on all of the locomotives' pilot deck.

Namings

B&M sponsored the New England students a contest to name all five P-4a and five other P-4b after their schools. On December 11, 1937, No. 3713 was officially named The Constitution by J. Schumann Moore, a 14-year-old student from Eastern High School in Lynn, Massachusetts. Between 1940 and 1941, other winning names were selected to P-4a Pacifics No. 3710 as Peter Cooper, No. 3711 as Allagash, No. 3712 as East Wind, and No. 3714 as Greylock. While the P-4b Pacifics Nos. 3715 to 3719 were also named Kwasind, Rogers’ Rangers, Old North Bridge, Ye Salem Witch, and Camel’s Hump, respectively. Each locomotives all have a plaque representing the students' name and their respective educated school.