4179 PRR I1sa 2-10-0, #4372, Original Headlight, 90F82 Short Tender, Paragon3 Sound/DC/DCC, HO

PRRs I1s decapod design was so successful that by 1924, this 2-10-0 was considered the standard heavy freight hauler of the railroad up until WWII. In 1930, the original I1s underwent a revision of the cylinder steam vents to admit steam for 78% of the stroke. This boosted tractive effort from 90,000 to 96,000 lbs and made the new class I1sa. Through the years, many I1s engines were changed over to the modified I1sa design. By July 1947, the 598-unit fleet was divided into 109 I1s and 489 I1sa locomotives. They remained in service until the end of PRR steam in 1957.

Decapods outperformed Mikado L1s by a whopping 41% more horsepower while consuming 12% less steam. Nicknames for the type included Decs and Hippos, the latter possibly from the fat boiler.

DID YOU KNOW? The I1sa short tender (90F82) has coal board sides that are bent inward a few degrees. Even the most expensive of brass models have missed this detail. BLIs I1sa will properly model this detail - an industry first. Thank you, PRRT&HS Modeling Committee, especially Bob Johnson, for your keen eyes!