Delaware & Hudson Challengers

The Delaware & Hudson Railroad recieved its first "Challengers" in 1940 from the American Locomotive Company with the delivery of twenty of the 4-6-6-4s. These locomotives were designated Class J and assigned road numbers 1500 through 1519. They had four 20.5 x 32 cylinders, 69" drivers, a boiler pressure of 285 psi, exerted 94,000 lbs of tractive effort and weighed 597,000 pounds.

In 1943, fifteen more Class J "Challengers" arrived from ALCO and were given road numbers 1520 through 1534. these locomotives were similar to the Class Js received in 1940 except for a small increase in weight.

In 1945 and 1946, five more Class Js (road numbers 1535 through 1539) came from ALCO. These last five differred very little from the other "Challengers".

All 40 of the D&H "Challengers" were scrapped in 1952 and 1953. The tender used with number 1508 did survive the scrapper and is now in Binghamton, NY.

Class	Road Number	Year Built	Builder	Locomotive Weight	Weight on Drivers
J	1500-1519	1940	ALCO	597,000 lbs	406,500 lbs
J	1520-1534	1943	ALCO	600,000 lbs	406,500 lbs
J	1535-1538	1945	ALCO	604,500 lbs	409,500 lbs
J	1539	1946	ALCO	599,500 lbs	409,500 lbs

Specifications for Class J
Wheel Arrangement:	4-6-6-4
Length:	116' - 2"
Drivers:	69" dia.
Weight on Drivers:	406,500 lbs
Locomotive Weight:	597,000 lbs
Locomotive & Tender Weight:	987,000 lbs
Grate Area:	108 sq ft
Cylinders (dia. x stroke):	(4) 20.5" x 32"
Boiler Pressure:	285 psi
Tractive Effort:	97,400 lbs
Tender Capacity:
Water:	22,500 gals.
Coal:	26 tons

Delaware & Hudson Challengers

Photos

References