Chicago Great Western Mikados

The Chicago Great Western Railroad received its first "Mikados" in 1912 from the Baldwin Locomotive Works. These 2-8-2s were designated as Class L-1 and they were assigned road numbers 700-709. In 1916, Baldwin delivered another ten similar locomotives to the batch delivered in 1912. They weighed about 2,900 pounds more so they were designated as Class L-2 and were assigned road numbers 710-719.

In 1918, the USRA assigned 10 USRA "Mikado-Light" to the CGW. They joined the CGW roster as Class L-3 and carried road numbers 750-759.

A final group of 2-8-2s were ordered from Baldwin and delivered in 1920. Many railroads that were assigned USRA "Mikados" ordered copies of that design the next time they needed more locomotives. The CGW did not follow this pattern. Instead, it chose to revert back to its own design of 1912. These last new "Mikados" weighed about 3,500 pounds more, but were otherwise similar to the L-1s. They were designated as Class L-1a and assigned road numbers 720-729.

There are no surviving CGW 2-8-2 "Mikado" type locomotives.

Class	Qty.	Road Numbers	Year Built	Builder	Notes
L-1	10	700 - 709	1912	Baldwin
L-2	10	710 - 719	1916	Baldwin
L-3	10	750 - 759	1918	Baldwin	USRA allocated "Mikado-Light" locomotives
L-1a	10	720 - 729	1920	Baldwin

Specifications
Class	L-1	L-1a	L-2	L-3
Wheel Arrangement:	2-8-2	2-8-2	2-8-2	2-8-2
Length:	76'-6"	76'-6"	76'-6"	81'-11 3/8"
Drivers:	63" dia	63" dia	63" dia	63" dia
Weight on Drivers:	218,000 lbs.	221,500 lbs.	221,500 lbs.	220,000 lbs.
Total Locomotive Weight:	283,000 lbs.	285,900 lbs.	285,900 lbs.	290,000 lbs.
Locomotive & Tender Weight:	434,000 lbs.	428,900 lbs.	428,900 lbs.	477,400 lbs.
Grate Area:	70.0 sq. ft.	68.0 sq. ft.	68.0 sq. ft.	66.7 sq. ft
Cylinders (dia. x stroke):	(2) 27" x 30"	(2) 27" x 30"	(2) 27" x 30"	(2) 26" x 30"
Boiler Pressure:	187 psi	187 psi	187 psi	200 psi
Tractive Effort:	55,000 lbs.	55,000 lbs.	55,000 lbs.	54,725 lbs.
Tender Capacity:
Water:	8,000 gals	8,000 gals	8,000 gals	10,000 gals.
Coal:	15 tons	15 tons	15 tons	16 tons

Chicago Great Western Mikados

Photos

Reference