Chicago & North Western Pacifics

Several sources point out that the C&NW E-3 Pacifics were the largest pacifics ever built. However, they were virtually ignored. There were only three of them, and they ran on the Twin Cities / Omaha route, which is hardly a route of glamour trains. All the famous Twin Cities trains ran either to Chicago or out west to Seattle. By the time the E-3s were built in 1930, most western railroads had moved to 4-8-2s and 4-8-4s for their heaviest trains.

Class Qty. Road Numbers Year Built Builder

E 186 1909-1923

E-1 15 1910

E-1 26 1916

E-2 12 1923 ALCO

E-3 3 1930 ALCO

Class	Qty.	Year Built	Builder
E	186	1909-1923
E-1	15	1910
E-1	26	1916
E-2	12	1923	ALCO
E-3	3	1930	ALCO

Specifications

Class E Class E-1 Class E-2 * Class E-3 *

Wheel Arrangement: 4-6-2 4-6-2 4-6-2 4-6-2

Length:

Drivers: 75" dia. 69" dia. 75" dia. (early) 79" dia. (late)

Weight on Drivers:

Locomotive Weight: 233,000 lbs 233,000 lbs 295,000 lbs 347,000 lbs

Locomotive & Tender Weight:

Grate Area:

Cylinders (dia x stroke): (2) 23" x 28" (early) 25" x 28" (late) (2) 22" x 26" (2) 26" x 28"

Boiler Pressure: 200 psi (early) 185 psi (late) 185 psi 210 psi (early) 225 psi (late)

Tractive Effort: 28,700 lbs 64,400 lbs

Tender Capacity:

Water:

Coal:

Specifications
	Class E	Class E-1	Class E-2 *	Class E-3 *
Wheel Arrangement:	4-6-2	4-6-2	4-6-2	4-6-2
Length:
Drivers:	75" dia.	69" dia.	75" dia. (early) 79" dia. (late)
Weight on Drivers:
Locomotive Weight:	233,000 lbs	233,000 lbs	295,000 lbs	347,000 lbs
Locomotive & Tender Weight:
Grate Area:
Cylinders (dia x stroke):	(2) 23" x 28" (early) 25" x 28" (late)	(2) 22" x 26"	(2) 26" x 28"
Boiler Pressure:	200 psi (early) 185 psi (late)	185 psi	210 psi (early) 225 psi (late)
Tractive Effort:		28,700 lbs		64,400 lbs
Tender Capacity:
Water:
Coal:

* NOTE: E-2: In 1934 and 1935, all twelve were upgraded with one piece cast frames, and larger 79" drivers. The first four converted, inaugurated 400 service on the C&NW.

* NOTE: E-3: Heaviest Pacifics in the world.

Photos

Reference

Chicago and Northwestern 1941-1953 by Lloyd Keyser
Chicago and North Western Power - Modern Steam and Diesel 1900 to 1971 by Patrick C. Dorin (Superior Publishing Co.)
Chicago and North Western Steam Power - 1848 - 1956 - Classes A - Z by Charles T. Knudsen (Knudsen Publications)
Zeppelins They Were Called, But Zeppelins They Were Not by Wallace W. Abbey in "Trains" October, 1970 page 20-33
Chicago & North Western
Chicago & North Western Historical Society
P. O. Box 1436
Elmhurst, IL 60126-9998