Richmond, Fredericksburg & Potomac 4-8-4 "Northern" Type Locomotives

Class notes (Locobase 276)

Firebox heating surface included 137 sq ft in 3 thermic syphons. Tube, flue data relates to the 1942 batch. 4 classes of essentially identical locomotives.

551-555 had names of famous Confederate generals:

551 General Robert E. Lee

552 General T.J. Jackson

553 General J.E.B. Stuart

554 General A. P. Hill

555 General J.E. Johnston

6 later engines were named after Governors; all other engines were unnamed.

601-606 entered service in 1938, 607-612 in 1942, and 613-622 in 1944.

Specifications
Classnotes
Locobase ID276
RailroadRichmond, Fredericksburg & Potomac
Whyte4-8-4
Road Numbers551-555,601-622
GaugeStd
BuilderBaldwin
Year1937
Valve Gear
Locomotive Length and Weight
Driver Wheelbase20'
Engine Wheelbase46.08'
Ratio of driving wheelbase to overall engine wheebase 0.43
Overall Wheelbase (engine & tender)
Axle Loading (Maximum Weight per Axle)
Weight on Drivers277245 lbs
Engine Weight406500 lbs
Tender Light Weight252000 lbs
Total Engine and Tender Weight658500 lbs
Tender Water Capacity18000 gals
Tender Fuel Capacity (oil/coal)17 tons
Minimum weight per yard of rail on which locomotive could run115.52 lb rail
Geometry Relating to Tractive Effort
Driver Diameter77"
Boiler Pressure275 psi
Cylinders (dia x stroke)27" x 30"
Tractive Effort66391 lbs
Factor of Adhesion (Weight on Drivers/Tractive Effort) 4.18
Heating Ability
Firebox Area529 sq. ft
Grate Area86.50 sq. ft
Evaporative Heating Surface4289
Superheating Surface1325
Combined Heating Surface5614
Evaporative Heating Surface/Cylinder Volume215.74
Computations Relating to Power Output (More Information)
Robert LeMassena's Power Computation23787.50
Same as above plus superheater percentage29401.76
Same as above but substitute firebox area for grate area179809.59
Power L133478.49
Power MT1064.87

Credits

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