Virginian 2-8-4 "Berkshire" Type Locomotives

Class BA (Locobase 63)

Said to be virtually identical to C&O K-4s. How powerful and smooth was a Lima 2-8-4? EW King, Jr. (in Drury, 1993) says they "had speed well beyond that required." In a detour move on the Norfolk & Western, the Virginian's 505, pulling a 3,500 ton train, was claimed to have hit 87 mph.

Data from a 1951 Virginian locomotive diagram supplied to Locobase in May 2005 by Allen Stanley from his extensive collection. The diagram shows that the firebox had 2 arch tubes (19 sq ft) and 2 thermic syphons (103 sq ft) that contributed to the firebox heating surface. Piston valves measured 14" in diameter and had a travel of 8". Although the diagram shows a combustion chamber, it doesn't give the length.

Specifications
ClassBA
Locobase ID63
RailroadVirginian
Whyte2-8-4
Road Numbers505-509
GaugeStd
BuilderLima
Year1946
Valve GearBaker
Locomotive Length and Weight
Driver Wheelbase18.25'
Engine Wheelbase42'
Ratio of driving wheelbase to overall engine wheebase 0.43
Overall Wheelbase (engine & tender)93.17'
Axle Loading (Maximum Weight per Axle)74400 lbs
Weight on Drivers295600 lbs
Engine Weight460400 lbs
Tender Light Weight410200 lbs
Total Engine and Tender Weight870600 lbs
Tender Water Capacity25000 gals
Tender Fuel Capacity (oil/coal)21 tons
Minimum weight per yard of rail on which locomotive could run123.17 lb rail
Geometry Relating to Tractive Effort
Driver Diameter69"
Boiler Pressure245 psi
Cylinders (dia x stroke)26" x 34"
Tractive Effort69368 lbs
Factor of Adhesion (Weight on Drivers/Tractive Effort) 4.26
Heating Ability
Firebox Area475 sq. ft
Grate Area90.30 sq. ft
Evaporative Heating Surface4776
Superheating Surface1932
Combined Heating Surface6708
Evaporative Heating Surface/Cylinder Volume228.59
Computations Relating to Power Output (More Information)
Robert LeMassena's Power Computation22123.50
Same as above plus superheater percentage28495.38
Same as above but substitute firebox area for grate area149892.67
Power L133091.70
Power MT987.21

Reference

Credits

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

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