Susquehanna Coal 2-2-0 "Planet" Locomotives in the USA

Class Nydia (Locobase 11615)

Data from Baldwin Locomotive Works Specification for Engines, as digitized by the DeGolyer Library of Southern Methodist University, Vol 15, p. 71. See also "Steam Inspection Car," Engineering News Record, Vol 22 (17 August 1889). Works number was 9994 in May 1889.

Nydia was a steam inspection car built for Irving A Stearns, the manager of coal properties for the Pennsylvania Railroad. It looked like a short coach from the outside. Immediately apparent, however, were the small cylinders in front of the leading bogie, which drove the drivers on the rear axle of that same bogie. Fuel and coal capacity allowed for 125 miles [201 km] of operation before re-watering and re-fuelling.

The car was divided into an boiler room forward, service spaces and lavatory in the middle and a comfortable seating area in the rear that included a settee on the right side and four arm chairs. Two upper berths and a double lower berth for sleeping, which were folded out of the way in the daytime, and an extensible table that sat six were signs that the car would spend a lot of time in service.

Of the quality of appointments in the passenger compartment, EN said: "The furnishings of the car throughout are of the handsomest character. The handrails are nickel-plated. The passenger compartment and passage-way are handsomely carpeted. The doorways and upper sash of all the windows are of engraved glass, and all the hardware throughout is of bronze of handsome pattern."

The Nydia came in for criticism not long after it entered service. Apparently Baldwin's estimates of the car's weight fell quite a bit short. Specifications estimated 13,000 lb (5,897 kg) on the drivers and 40,000 lb (18,144 kg) for the whole car. Instead, the car's small cylinder volume clearly strained to move the considerably heavier vehicle that came off the factory floor.

The original order includes the note: "For Criticism of this Engine, see letter of HK Stout, Sept 9th, 1889." There's also a note about a report on changes made on this engine. In fact, the original 7" (178 mm) diameter specified is crossed out and 8" substituted. A need for more power led to a note above that spec that reported "Cylrs [sic] 9" x 12" sent xtra 1/22/92."

Nydia was later sold to M A Hanna Coal Company in western Pennsylvania.