Re: 43.5" mule 3rd rail electric

The Youngstown Steel Heritage Museum (YSHM) recently acquired former Pennsylvania Railroad (PRR) Ore Shunter Locomotive No. 3 from the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania in Strasburg, PA. The ore shunter was built by the Baldwin Locomotive Works in 1912 for the Whisky Island iron ore docks in Cleveland, OH, and was used to move hopper cars for loading by the four Hulett unloaders at the facility. No. 3 was built to operate on 42 ½” gauge track, gathering power from third and fourth rails located between the running rails. It has two retractable arms which would push against the corner pockets of the hopper cars to move them into position. No. 3 is joined in preservation by No.7 located at the Lake Shore Railway Museum in North East, PA.

Note that this one is 42-1/2" (verified by multiple people at this point!) and that they used two inside rails for power pick up, so a 3rd and 4th rail.

A short section of track is being built and we hope to have it move under its own power in the not too distant future. Its a time capsule and in very good condition.

J.R.