Western Maryland 4-8-4 "Northern" Type Locomotives

Class J-1 (Locobase 286)

Data from 1947 Locomotive Cyclopedia, supplemented by WM Misc Locomotive Diagrams supplied in May 2005 by Allen Stanley from his extensive collection. Produced in January 1947, the class bore Baldwin works numbers 73082-73093.

Firebox heating surface included 153 sq ft in 4 thermic syphons in the firebox proper as well as in the combustion chamber. Known as "Potomacs," these engines had very nearly the same performance at 45 mph as the M-2 class 4-6-6-4s. They were the last 4-8-4s built new for a railroad in the US and retired with the rest of steam in 1954.

Specifications
ClassJ-1
Locobase ID286
RailroadWestern Maryland (WM)
Whyte4-8-4
Road Numbers1401-1412
GaugeStd
BuilderBaldwin
Year1947
Valve GearWalschaert
Locomotive Length and Weight
Driver Wheelbase19.25'
Engine Wheelbase46.83'
Ratio of driving wheelbase to overall engine wheebase 0.41
Overall Wheelbase (engine & tender)95'
Axle Loading (Maximum Weight per Axle)72500 lbs
Weight on Drivers290000 lbs
Engine Weight506500 lbs
Tender Light Weight421500 lbs
Total Engine and Tender Weight928000 lbs
Tender Water Capacity22000 gals
Tender Fuel Capacity (oil/coal)30 tons
Minimum weight per yard of rail on which locomotive could run120.83 lb rail
Geometry Relating to Tractive Effort
Driver Diameter69"
Boiler Pressure255 psi
Cylinders (dia x stroke)26.5" x 32"
Tractive Effort70591 lbs
Factor of Adhesion (Weight on Drivers/Tractive Effort) 4.11
Heating Ability
Firebox Area573 sq. ft
Grate Area106.70 sq. ft
Evaporative Heating Surface4973
Superheating Surface2170
Combined Heating Surface7143
Evaporative Heating Surface/Cylinder Volume243.44
Computations Relating to Power Output (More Information)
Robert LeMassena's Power Computation27208.50
Same as above plus superheater percentage35474.28
Same as above but substitute firebox area for grate area190503.85
Power L139288.30
Power MT1194.70

Credits

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