For those who did not know of him, we lost a legendary PRR fan and a founding father and the patriarch of the locomotive horn collecting hobby this past February 1st. Ed Kaspriske was a fixture and a legend in the railfan community in Pennsylvania. He was a prolific photographer and videographer. His work is immortalized online, and his memory will live forever in the bi-annual locomotive horn exhibitions that are held at the World Famous Horseshoe Curve in Altoona, PA which are now named in his honor.
I was fortunate to be given the chance to save some of the PRR relics he had collected, as well as his remaining horn collection, just before he passed. Some of these items will be donated to the Railroader's Memorial Museum in Altoona in his memory. Other items will become part of a permanent display during the horn collector gatherings at the Horseshoe Curve.
One of those things is a number board that occupied a place of honor in his locomotive horn shop. It was perpetually backlit and actually framed into the wall. Anyone who knew Ed's work, knew that number board. Henceforth, it'll be on display in Altoona at our horn exhibitions. In all the years I knew Ed, I don't ever remember asking him about its heritage and I don't remember him volunteering the story. I think I've narrowed it down, but I'm hoping to get some confirmation for historical accuracy.
At first I thought it was from Conrail (nee-PRR) E-44 electric #4420. In trying to find it in photos, I noticed that it was too small and not shaped like those on the E-44s. Further investigation based on what I knew about Ed led to only one other possibility: Could this be one of the 2 number boards from either side of the headlight of BLW / PRR 4420 - an I-1SA 2-10-0 Decapod?
It measures 23 1/2" by 10". Attached are 2 photos. If anyone has any insight into this or information on the size of the number boards on PRR I-1SA Decapods, I sure would appreciate it.
