Great Northern Northerns

The Great Northern Railway obtained its first "Northerns" in 1929, when six Class S-1s were delivered from the Baldwin Locomotive Works. These 4-8-4s were given road numbers 2550 through 2555 and had 73" drivers, 28 x 30 cylinders, a boiler pressure of 250 psi, a weight of 472,120 lbs and a tractive effort of 68,466 pounds.

In 1930, 14 Class S-2s (road numbers 2575 through 2588) came from Baldwin with 80" drivers. With 73" drivers, the S-1s were better suited for dual service, but the S-2s were truly passenger locomotives. The Class S-2s had 29 x 29 cylinders, a 225 psi boiler pressure, a weight of 420,900 lbs and a tractive effort of 58,300 pounds.

There is only one surviving GN "Northern", number 2584 at a depot in Havre, MT.

Class	Road Numbers	Year Built	Builder
S-1	2550-2555	1929	Baldwin
S-2	2575-2588	1930	Baldwin

Specifications
	Class S-1	Class S-2
Wheel Arrangement:	4-8-4	4-8-4
Length:	108' - 7"	108' - 7"
Drivers:	73" dia.	80" dia.
Weight on Drivers:	273,700 lbs	247,300 lbs
Locomotive Weight:	472,120 lbs	420,900 lbs
Locomotive & Tender Weight:	847,900 lbs	747,800 lbs
Grate Area:	102 sq ft	97 sq ft
Cylinders (dia. x stroke):	(2) 28" x 30"	(2) 29" x 29"
Boiler Pressure:	250 psi	225 psi
Tractive Effort:	68,466 lbs	58,300 lbs
Tender Capacity:
Water:	22,000gals.	17,000 gals.
Fuel Oil:	5,800 gals.	5,800 gals.

Great Northern Northerns

Photos

References