Baltimore & Ohio 2-8-8-0 "Consolidation Mallet" Type Locomotives

Class EL-1, -2, -3, -5 (Locobase 439)

Alvin F Staufer & Lawrence W Sagle, B & O Power (1964).

B&O compound Mallets designed to negotiate curves as sharp as 22 deg. Total weight distribution varied by only 1,100 lb between the front and rear engine units.

Several classes beginning with 15 EL-1 (1916) and followed by 15 EL-2 (7200-7214 in 1916), 30 EL-3 (7115-7144 in 1917) and 26 EL-5 (7145-7170 in 1919-1920) -- all by Baldwin. All surviving locomotives were converted from 1927 on after the prototype demonstrated a considerable improvement in pulling power. The last of these left service in 1954.

Class EL-3a (Locobase 305)

B&O rebuilds of B&O compound Mallets to 4-cylinder simple-expansion machines beginning in 1927. 64 engines were converted altogether, all to the same powerful standard. Compared to the EL-6a conversion, these locomotives didn't work quite so hard, but steamed as easily. Smaller drivers undoubtedly confined them to hill work, where they served until the early 1950s.

Class EL-6a (Locobase 3556)

These were simpled conversions of SAL 2-8-8-2s that had come onto the B&O in 1922. They had a relatively high driver diameter and a hard-worked, but relatively free-steaming boiler. The last of these left service in 1954.

Wiener (1930) for data.

Specifications
ClassEL-1, -2, -3, -5EL-3aEL-6a
Locobase ID4393053556
RailroadBaltimore & Ohio (B&O)Baltimore & Ohio (B&O)Baltimore & Ohio (B&O)
Whyte2-8-8-02-8-8-02-8-8-0
Road Numbers7100+71507300-7315
GaugeStdStdStd
BuilderBaldwinB & OB & O
Year191619271920
Valve GearWalschaertWalschaert
Locomotive Length and Weight
Driver Wheelbase15.50'15.50'15.46'
Engine Wheelbase50.33'50.33'53.33'
Ratio of driving wheelbase to overall engine wheebase 0.31 0.31 0.29
Overall Wheelbase (engine & tender)82.61'82.61'98.27'
Axle Loading (Maximum Weight per Axle)58000 lbs
Weight on Drivers462500 lbs459400 lbs456700 lbs
Engine Weight485600 lbs484400 lbs492000 lbs
Tender Light Weight206400 lbs262000 lbs219000 lbs
Total Engine and Tender Weight692000 lbs746400 lbs711000 lbs
Tender Water Capacity12000 gals18000 gals12000 gals
Tender Fuel Capacity (oil/coal)20 tons18 tons20 tons
Minimum weight per yard of rail on which locomotive could run96.35 lb rail95.71 lb rail95.15 lb rail
Geometry Relating to Tractive Effort
Driver Diameter58"58"63"
Boiler Pressure210 psi210 psi225 psi
Cylinders (dia x stroke)26" x 31"24" x 32" (4)25" x 32" (4)
Low Pressure Cylinders (dia x stroke)41" x 31"" x "" x "
Tractive Effort91993 lbs113452 lbs121429 lbs
Factor of Adhesion (Weight on Drivers/Tractive Effort) 5.03 4.05 3.76
Heating Ability
Firebox Area393 sq. ft341 sq. ft398 sq. ft
Grate Area88.17 sq. ft88.17 sq. ft88 sq. ft
Evaporative Heating Surface583657845922
Superheating Surface141514151380
Combined Heating Surface725171997302
Evaporative Heating Surface/Cylinder Volume306.36172.60162.87
Computations Relating to Power Output (More Information)
Robert LeMassena's Power Computation18515.7018515.7019800
Same as above plus superheater percentage22128.9622155.0523541.99
Same as above but substitute firebox area for grate area98635.3685685.31106473.99
Power L18800.4812251.3713210.39
Power MT335.60470.35510.16

Reference

Credits

Introduction and specifications provided by Steve Llanso of Sweat House Media.