With the success of the first (27) Ps-4’s received in 1923, the Southern Railway placed a second order for another (27) in 1926. Like the first order, these new Ps-4 closely resembled the USRA Heavy Pacific design, with the exception of smaller 73″ drivers and slightly shorter boiler, plus the addition of a firebox combustion chamber. However, unlike the first order, these newer Ps-4’s were equipped with an Elesco Feedwater Heater. The year earlier, Southern’s President: Fairfax Harrison, had traveled to the United Kingdom, where he admired the LNER’s use of green-painted steam locomotives. This inspired Harrison to have the second order of Ps-4’s, numbered 1393 through 1406 to be painted in Virginian Green paint, with gold leaf trimming and lettering. Eventually all of the previous Ps-4’s from 1923 would be painted green as well.
These engines were assigned to the Southern’s highest priority trains, including the: Piedmont Limited, the Aiken-Augusta Special, the Birmingham Special, and most notable, the Crescent Limited. In 1929, engines #1393 through 1396 were selected and decorated with Crescent Moon decals on their steam chests and outer cab walls. They were given green number plates, and their tenders were also lettered “Crescent Limited”. A total of (5) new Pullman lash-ups were delivered in 1929 to accompany the (4) newly decorated engines. The cars were painted in the same green as the locomotive, and the piers/mullions around the windows were painted in a lighter Sylvan green. The Crescent Limited was doomed almost from the start. The train was debuted on Monday, October 21st, 1929….just 3 days before the Stock Market Crash. By 1934, the Southern had held on as long as possible, but inevitably succumbed to the economics of the Great Depression. Cost cutting measures were implemented, which resulted in the two-tone green screen being dropped in lieu of the traditional Pullman green. This allowed for easier equipment swaps, and savings on paint since all cars were the same paint scheme. The train continued from 1934 through 1938 listed on the timetable as “Thirty Seven” and “Thirty Eight”. I resumed in 1938 as simply “The Crescent”.
By the early 1940s, the Southern was quickly dieselizing the majority of it’s high priority trains, thus sideling many of their steam locomotives. The Ps-4’s were not immune to these changing times. All were retired and scrapped by the middle 1950’s, with the exception of one.
#1401 was saved from the scrappers torch thanks to the efforts of Mr. Graham Claytor Jr. At the time he was a member of the Southern’s Outside Legal Council, and an avid railfan. He would later go on to serve as the Southern’s President from 1967 through 1977. However in the late 1950’s, Mr. Claytor convinced the Southern to save and donate the 1401 to Smithsonian Institute, which at that point was still being constructed. On November 25th, 1961, the 1401 was transported and placed inside the museum, where she resides today.
(2) Railway Post Office Cars (Pullman Green & Two-Tone Green)
(3) Baggage/Lounge/Buffet Club Cars (Pullman Green, Two-Tone Green, Pullman Green with AC)
(3) 10-2 Sleepers (Pullman Green, Two-Tone Green, Pullman Green with AC)
(3) 8-1-2 Sleepers (Pullman Green, Two-Tone Green, Pullman Green with AC)
(3) 14 Section Sleepers (Pullman Green, Two-Tone Green, Pullman Green with AC)
(2) Dining Cars (Pullman Green & Two-Tone Green)
(2) 3-2 Observation Cars (Pullman Green & Two-Tone Green)
Crescent Limited Consist (1926-1929) Pullman Green
Crescent Limited Consist (1929-1934) Two-Tone Green
Crescent-37-38 Consist (1934-1941) Pullman Green with AC
All locomotives, RPO’s and Diners have auto running numbers. All Baggage and Sleepers have automatic name assignment.
Product Installation
Download the file included in your order confirmation email or from your account downloads.
Launch your Trainz Content Manager.
Drag the downloaded cdp file into the content manager window.OR While in content manager, go to FILE on the top left and select "import cdp" or "import content", find your downloaded cdp and select.
Payware Policy
All presented content from this website is property of K&L Trainz. No distribution or hosting of content is permitted of any payware assets purchased from K&L Trainz. Modifications are permitted for personal use only!
Refund Policy
All sales are final! K&L Trainz is not responsible for any misappropriated funds. No refunds will be issued for any product purchased once a download is initiated.
3 Part Echo Whistle
Animated Bell
Animated Coal Load
Animated Firebox
Animated Stoker
Auto Numbering Rolling Stock
Auto Running Numbers
Automatic Car Names
Blueprint Design
Custom Functional Cab Interior
Detailed Cab Figures
Functional Diaphragms
Multiple Outside Views
Passenger Car Interiors
Reverse Headlight
Secondary Blowdown
Show/Hide Objects
Slider Controlled Cab Doors
Slider Controlled Cab Roof Vents
Tender Outside Views