Western Maryland 4-6-6-4 "Challenger" Type Locomotives

Class M-2 (Locobase 342)

Data from 1947 Locomotive Cyclopedia, supplemented by WM Misc Locomotive Diagrams supplied in May 2005 by Allen Stanley from his extensive collection. The diagram shows that the Baldwin works numbers were 62453-64464.

Firebox heating surface included 252 sq ft of thermic syphons (5) and arch tubes.

Worked the Hagerstown-Connellsville section, which has a 23-mile grade measured at 1.75%. M-2s showed a dynamometer rating of 4,700 drawbar horsepower at 50 mph, at which point it was indicating approx 35,000 lb of tractive effort. (The J-class 4-8-4s were not far behind at the higher speeds.) When worked on the descending grade of 0.3%, an M-2 could haul 8,000 tons of merchandise train, 10,500 tons of coal cars.

Bert Pennypacker notes (in Trains, April 1992) that the placement of the front truck directly under the smokebox was unusual. Other construction notes (from Pennypacker):

-- 3 Duplex thermic syphons in firebox, 2 in combustion chamber;

-- Standard HT automatic stoker;

-- Flexible staybolts in several points;

-- Type A superheater with American multi-valve throttle;

-- Hancock injector, Worthington feed-water heater, Barco low-water alarm.

Yet Pennypacker states that these engines were known as slippery and hard-to-handle brutes. He observes that the design (high drivers, light axle loads) wasn't really suitable for WM's style of heavy running.

Specifications
ClassM-2
Locobase ID342
RailroadWestern Maryland (WM)
Whyte4-6-6-4
Road Numbers1201-1212
GaugeStd
BuilderBaldwin
Year1940
Valve GearWalschaert
Locomotive Length and Weight
Driver Wheelbase12'
Engine Wheelbase60.33'
Ratio of driving wheelbase to overall engine wheebase 0.20
Overall Wheelbase (engine & tender)106'
Axle Loading (Maximum Weight per Axle)67562 lbs
Weight on Drivers402266 lbs
Engine Weight601000 lbs
Tender Light Weight418950 lbs
Total Engine and Tender Weight1019950 lbs
Tender Water Capacity22000 gals
Tender Fuel Capacity (oil/coal)30 tons
Minimum weight per yard of rail on which locomotive could run111.74 lb rail
Geometry Relating to Tractive Effort
Driver Diameter69"
Boiler Pressure250 psi
Cylinders (dia x stroke)22" x 32" (4)
Tractive Effort95397 lbs
Factor of Adhesion (Weight on Drivers/Tractive Effort) 4.22
Heating Ability
Firebox Area796 sq. ft
Grate Area118.80 sq. ft
Evaporative Heating Surface5770
Superheating Surface1735
Combined Heating Surface7505
Evaporative Heating Surface/Cylinder Volume204.92
Computations Relating to Power Output (More Information)
Robert LeMassena's Power Computation29700
Same as above plus superheater percentage36566.02
Same as above but substitute firebox area for grate area245004.66
Power L125898.30
Power MT851.61

Credits

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