Richmond, Fredericksburg & Potomac Berkshire Type Locomotives

The Richmond, Fredericksburg & Potomac Railroad made a number of locomotive purchases during World War II to help with the increase in freight traffic.

In 1943, the RF&P bought ten "Berkshire" type locomotives from the Lima Locomotives Works. These locomotives were assigned road numbers 571 through 580 and were similar to the Nickel Plate and the Pere Marquette design. They had 69" diameter drivers, 25" x 34" cylinders, a 245 psi boiler pressure, they exerted 64,100 pounds of tractive effort and each weighed 433,200 pounds.

They did not last long on the RF&P as they were retired in 1952 There are no surviving RF&P 2-8-4 "Berkshire" type locomotives.

RF&P 2-8-4 Roster
Qty.Road NumbersYear BuiltBuilderNotes
10571-5801943Lima1

Notes
1. Numbers 571-589 scrapped in 1952.

Specifications
Road Numbers:571-580
Wheel Arrangement:2-8-4
Length:100'-8"
Drivers:69" dia.
Weight on Drivers:270,900 lbs.
Total Locomotive Weight:433,200 lbs.
Locomotive & Tender Weight:791,200 lbs.
Grate Area:90.3 sq. ft.
Cylinders (dia. x stroke):(2) 25" x 34"
Boiler Pressure:245 psi
Tractive Effort:64,100 lbs.
Tender Capacity:
Water:22,000 gals.
Coal:22 tons

Photos

References

Much thanks to Richard Duley who has helped to provide a great deal of the information found on this page.