United States Army 101

US Army 101 is a 2-8-0 steam locomotive that was originally operated by the United States Army. It is one of three survivors of the 1,500 General Pershing locomotives built in 1916–1918 for the War Department in World War I. The 101 went on to see action in three wars — World War I, World War II, and the Korean War. After the Korean War, it was operated by the Korean National Railroad, which designated it 소리2-101 (Sori2).

US Army 101 General Pershing
US Army No. 101, a Consolidation type 2-8-0 on display at the National Railroad Museum on April 26, 2004. This locomotive was built for use in France during WWI but never made it there. The original European style cab was replaced by an American style.
Type and origin Power type Steam Builder Baldwin Locomotive Works Model 10-36 E Build date 1916–1918 Total produced 1,500
Specifications Configuration: ​  • Whyte 2-8-0  • UIC 1′D Gauge 4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge Driver dia. 56 in (1,422 mm) Wheelbase 23 ft 8 in (7.21 m) Adhesive weight 150,000 lb (68,000 kg) Loco weight 166,400 lb (75,500 kg) Fuel type Coal Water cap. 5,400 US gal (4,500 imp gal; 20,000 L) Firebox: ​  • Grate area 32.7 sq ft (3.04 m2) Superheater: ​  • Heating area 420 sq ft (39 m2) Cylinders Two Cylinder size 21 in × 28 in (533 mm × 711 mm)
Performance figures Tractive effort 35,400 lbf (157 kN) Factor of adh. 4.24
Career Operators United States Army Korean National Railroad Current owner National Railroad Museum Disposition Non-operational, on display

History

US Army 101 was built for the US Army for use in World War I by Baldwin Locomotive Works in 1918 and was under their ownership until it was donated to Korea in 1947.

In 1953, the 101 was recovered from damaged areas and reconstructed by the Army Transportation Corps, under the direction of Col. George Simpson. It was soon discovered that 101 was still property of the Korean Republic. Col. George Simpson, Harold T.I. Shannon, and Harold E. Fuller started talks with the Korean Republic about donating the engine to the National Railroad Museum.

In 1958 Korean Republic President Syngman Rhee donated the locomotive as a gift from the Korean people. On May 30, 1959, General Pershing was presented with a Certificate of Service from the Secretary of the Army.

It is one of only three surviving Pershing Class locomotives, the others being the Southern Pine Lumber Company No. 28 (or Texas State Railroad No. 300) and the CFR locomotive No. 140 117 in Romania.

See also

• CFR
• Texas State Railroad

External links

• National Railroad Museum
• William M. Griffin - One of the men who worked on the General Pershing in Korea.