A5a
The Official Goodwill Ambassador for the Reading Company Technical & Historical Society
The “A5a” as it is known, is the “Parade Locomotive” of the Reading Company Technical & Historical Society, used to reach out to the many current and potential railroad fans. The A5a has appeared in parades and special events all over the Reading Company’s territory from Harrisburg to Philadelphia, and many towns large and small in between. It has even put in an appearance at Steamtown in Scranton, PA. The locomotive is always a big hit where ever it shows up and is especially attractive to young railroad fans when it is parked. Children of all ages delight in being allowed to climb in and on the locomotive.
The “A5a” was built in 1974 in nearby Boyertown. It was to be a special treat for all as a participant in America’s fast approaching Bicentennial Celebration. Responsible for its construction was Al Mercer, owner of a sheet metal shop in Boyertown. He assigned several of his employees to build a replica of a steam locomotive. With drawings and pictures of a real steam locomotive, they began their task. The locomotive was based on the Reading Company Class A5a steam locomotive: the 0-4-0 wheel base was the simplest form of steam engine with no front leading wheels, 4 large drive wheels, and no trailing wheels.
A youngster enjoys climbing on the A5a.
(Photo Courtesy Don Crabtree)
Getting her cleaned up for a parade.
(Photo Courtesy Don Crabtree)
The project began with finding a chassis for the locomotive. At the time, Ford was the maker of a chassis designed to have a third party manufacturer build what ever type of truck they wanted. It would have been used for UPS trucks, Bread Trucks, Huckster Trucks, and so on. A 1973 Ford D/P 350 chassis was purchased (D/P = Delivery/Parcel). The DP 350 would be more than sturdy enough to carry this new locomotive. And so it began, the Sheetmetal Workers diligently trying to duplicate every little detail of the locomotive. After more than a year, the locomotive was ready for its debut. Al Mercer took his little engine everywhere he could for parades and special events. As Al got too old to enjoy this treasure he decided to donate the A5a to the RCT&HS.
The Reading Company Technical & Historical Society volunteers wasted no time in turning the A5a into the treasure that it was. Parades were scheduled, events participated in, good times were had. Initially, RCT&HS volunteers worked to make it more realistic. A coffee can filled with oil soaked rags were lit on fire and placed in the smoke stack to simulate an operating engine. A sound speaker was added to provide railroad sounds of a bell and whistle. It became a lot of fun to operate. Sadly, it developed some engine issues and was parked.
After sitting at the museum for a while, another group of volunteers became interested in repairing and operating the A5a. The rebirth happened after it was discovered that two rocker arm bolts had broken and the engine was only running on four of its six cylinders. After the engine repair, the volunteers went to work sanding and painting the locomotive for its new life. Imitation gold lettering once again adorned its sides. The smoke stack was repaired and a smoke machine was installed to eliminate the need for the burning oil soaked rags. A new digital sound system was installed that included cam switches to simulate the Chuff-Chuff sound while the locomotive was moving. The steam whistle announced its arrival long before it came into view. Best of all, it was back on the road for everyone to enjoy.
The A5a at a parade in Phoenixville.
(Photo Courtesy Don Crabtree)