Class 1 (Locobase 8991)

Data from Charles McShane, One Thousand Pointers for Machinists & Engineers (By Charles McShane (Chicago: Griffin & Winters, 1897), pp 266, 268.

McShane explains that this locomotive (Cooke works #2325) was produced "...in order to demonstrate whether an engine of these dimensions and weight would give better results than a compound engine, also whether an engine of this weight in passenger service with cylinders 17x24" and a constant boiler pressure of 180 pounds would not be better than one with 18x24" cylinders, and lagging for steam on heavy grades. It was intended, also, to demonstrate whether such an engine could not be run at a much reduced cost of fuel."

As is often the case with writeups like this, the locomotive proved to be peerless and is described as having met "... the highest expectations of its designer,Mr. George

W. West, Supt. M. P. of the New York, Ontario & Western railway. It has shown a surprisingly good fuel record, as it is run opposite one of their best anthracite coal burners with 18x24" cylinders, and during a test of 14 days when every pound of coal used by both engines was weighed; this engine hauled the same train 2,020 miles at a cost of 3 3/4 cents per engine mile, while the other engine's fuel cost 6 1/4 cents per engine mile: this is considered as near perfect as an engine can be built for burning cheap fuel."

Noting that it is an 8-wheel camelback, McShane adds details: The boiler is supplied by two No. 8 Monttor injectors. The Smith triple expansion exhaust pipe is used, also the Leach track sanding apparatus, and Nathan triple slight feed lubricator."

Class A (Locobase 3943)

Little-known American-type passenger engine delivered to the NYO&W at the turn of the 20th century. Railroad Gazette (20 April 1900) noted that the narrow firebox, used for bituminous coal, was something of a departure for the railroad, which typically burned anthracite. But as the engine was to be used on the Norwich-Middletown (New York) section, it would burn the more readily available bituminous coal.

It was a small class of locomotive delivered in two batches, the first two in 1899, the last three in 1907-1908. See William D. Edson's roster in Railroad History Bulletin 175 for builder's numbers. Note that the first 2 had Cooke serials (2476, 2494) and the last 3 were blended into the total Alco count (41333, 44800-801).

The first four were scrapped in the same month -- December 1932 -- while the last was sold in July 1935.