The brief comment notes that these were the most powerful 2-8-8-2s when delivered, but that they were unsatisfactory in service. Wes Barris of http://www.steamlocomotive.com (http://www.steamlocomotive.com/articulated/slsf.shtml, visited 12 Jan 2005) notes that the tender was so small that the locomotives had a very short range. (Locobase also notes that the boiler seems small given the ratios and factors and the tubes too long.)
Despite the imperfections, the Frisco superheated these locomotives in the 1920s; see Locobase 8640.
Despite the weaknesses describe in Locobase 6454, the Frisco's only articulateds received the modifications applied to virtually all locomotives worth the effort. In particular, the engines were superheated and the HP cylinders now sported 14" piston valves.
they wound up as switchers of iron-ore trains near Birmingham, Alabama. "Someone could correct me if I'm wrong," comments Wes Barris of http://www.steamlocomotive.com (http://www.steamlocomotive.com/articulated/slsf.shtml, "but they were probably the largest steam switch engines."
The class was "dismissed from service" over a long period. 2005 went in December 1929 at Springfield, Mo. The others all retired in Birmingham, Ala: 2002, 2003, & 2006 all withdrew in July 1935; 2007 followed a few months later in April 1936 and 2001 & 2004 went in April 1939.
| Specifications | ||
|---|---|---|
| Class | 2001 | 2001 - superheated |
| Locobase ID | 6454 | 8640 |
| Railroad | St Louis-San Francisco (SLSF) | St Louis-San Francisco (SLSF) |
| Whyte | 2-8-8-2 | 2-8-8-2 |
| Road Numbers | 2001-2007 | 2001-2007 |
| Gauge | Std | Std |
| Builder | Alco | Frisco |
| Year | 1910 | 1910 |
| Valve Gear | Walschaert | Walschaert |
| Locomotive Length and Weight | ||
| Driver Wheelbase | 15.67' | 15.50' |
| Engine Wheelbase | 56.83' | 56.83' |
| Ratio of driving wheelbase to overall engine wheebase | 0.28 | 0.27 |
| Overall Wheelbase (engine & tender) | 85.52' | 85.52' |
| Axle Loading (Maximum Weight per Axle) | ||
| Weight on Drivers | 360000 lbs | 360000 lbs |
| Engine Weight | 418000 lbs | 418000 lbs |
| Tender Light Weight | 149600 lbs | 161300 lbs |
| Total Engine and Tender Weight | 567600 lbs | 579300 lbs |
| Tender Water Capacity | 8000 gals | 8000 gals |
| Tender Fuel Capacity (oil/coal) | 10 tons | 16 tons |
| Minimum weight per yard of rail on which locomotive could run | 75 lb rail | 75 lb rail |
| Geometry Relating to Tractive Effort | ||
| Driver Diameter | 57" | 57" |
| Boiler Pressure | 200 psi | 200 psi |
| Cylinders (dia x stroke) | 24.5" x 30" | 24.5" x 30" |
| Low Pressure Cylinders (dia x stroke) | 39" x 30" | 39" x 30" |
| Tractive Effort | 77018 lbs | 77018 lbs |
| Factor of Adhesion (Weight on Drivers/Tractive Effort) | 4.67 | 4.67 |
| Heating Ability | ||
| Firebox Area | 344.70 sq. ft | 350 sq. ft |
| Grate Area | 75.40 sq. ft | 75.30 sq. ft |
| Evaporative Heating Surface | 5162 | 4371 |
| Superheating Surface | 807 | |
| Combined Heating Surface | 5162 | 5178 |
| Evaporative Heating Surface/Cylinder Volume | 315.35 | 267.02 |
| Computations Relating to Power Output (More Information) | ||
| Robert LeMassena's Power Computation | 15080 | 15060 |
| Same as above plus superheater percentage | 15080 | 17407.13 |
| Same as above but substitute firebox area for grate area | 68940 | 80909.62 |
| Power L1 | 3154.01 | 6130.74 |
| Power MT | 154.52 | 300.35 |
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