Brooklyn, Bath & Coney Island 2-4-0 "Porter" Locomotives in the USA


Class Details by Steve Llanso of Sweat House Media

Class May C (Locobase 11800)

Data from Baldwin Locomotive Works Specification for Engines as digitized by the DeGolyer Library of Southern Methodist University Volume 11, p. 76. Works number was 6738 in March 1883.

This tank was one of the tank locomotives that powered the railroad that connected Brooklyn to both Bath Beach and Coney Island beginning in 1864.. The BB & CI was reorganized on 1 December 1885 as the Brooklyn, Bath & West End Railroad and the May C continued in service until the line was electrified in 1893. The redundant locomotive may have been sold to the large contracting firm of Norcross Brothers.


Class Sea Bird (Locobase 16617)

Data from Baldwin Locomotive Works Specification for Engines as digitized by the DeGolyer Library of Southern Methodist University Volume 9, p.155 See Locobase 16616 for a detailed description of the BB&CI. Works number was 4725 in July 1879.

Next in a line of six-wheeled tanks, the "Sea Bird" used the same design as the first four (Locobase 16616), but a note specified no cross-equaliztion, the drivers measured 41" (1,041 mm), and 8" (203 mm) were deducted from the engine's wheelbase.. As delivered, the engine had no number, but later acquired #7.

Kept on after the system electrified traction in 1893, the Sea Bird eventually wound on the Charleston Mining & Manufacturing in 1909.


Class unknown (Locobase 16616)

Data from Baldwin Locomotive Works Specification for Engines as digitized by the DeGolyer Library of Southern Methodist University Volumes 6, p.131 and 7, p.241 See also the detailed analysis in "Brooklyn Excursion Railroads", Railroad Gazette, Volume 9 , (10 August 1877), pp. 365-366. Works numbers were 3263, 3267 in May 1873 and 3888. 3890 in June 1876. 4725 went on the roster in July 1879.

Coney Island, as the peniinsula in southern Brooklyn has always been known, is washed by Lower New York Bay. First developed as a resort location, its appeal expanded when a ferry opened in 1847 and stimulated its use as a day-tripper's destination.

Beginning in 1864, the first of several excursion began construction of a 7-mile (11.3 km) line to the beach. Much of the route ran on streets, so very little right-of-way construction proved necessary and rails weighed in at a modest 45 lb/yard (22.5 kg/metre); keeping pace with increasing traffic, the BB&CI replaced any worn 45-lb rail with new, 56 lib/yard (28 kg/metre) rail.. Over the few sections not on roadway, commented RG's 1877 survey, "the earthwork is of the lightest character." Moreover, "porous, sandy soil" allowed the railroad to forego ballasting. Ruling grades, though short in distance, reached 2%.

As this railroad extended itself from Greenwood Cemetery to Coney Island, it ordered this quartet of small saddle tank steam locomotives. They reproduced the basic saddle tank in miniature including a "cow-catcher"style pilot, large headlamp, planished boiler, and full cab. The two domes (sand ahead of steam) sat closely spaced on the tank. A tall, thin stack held a small diamond smoke-arresting top. All three axles were equalized, and the center axle (the lead set of drivers) were cross-equalized.. Their grates were composed of water bars and drop bars.

"Sea Bird", added in 1879, used the same design, but a note specified no cross-equaliztion and the drivers measured 41" (1,041 mm) had no number..

Open-sided excursion coaches held up to 70 riders in warm or clement months. On most days, Each engine hauledl up to three of these, although weekdays usually saw just one, Sundays often were the busiest and on those days the system would run as many as 30 round trips.. Cold-weather cars could hold up to 45. Running times averaged about 37 minutes including seven stops.

In 1885, the BB&CI was reorganized as the Brooklyn, Bath and West End. By 1893, thet railroad had completed its electrification. The little tanks still functioned as switchers or maintenance locomotives. The 3 eventually made its way to Texas's Gulf, Sabine & Red River in 1921 as their #2.

Principal Dimensions by Steve Llanso of Middle Run Media
ClassMay CSea Birdunknown
Locobase ID11800 16617 16616
RailroadBrooklyn, Bath & Coney IslandBrooklyn, Bath & Coney IslandBrooklyn, Bath & Coney Island
CountryUSAUSAUSA
Whyte2-4-0T2-4-0T2-4-0ST
Number in Class115
Road Numbers83-6
GaugeStdStdStd
Number Built115
BuilderBurnham, Parry, Williams & CoBurnham, Parry, Williams & CoBurnham, Parry, Williams & Co
Year188318791873
Valve GearStephensonStephensonStephenson
Locomotive Length and Weight
Driver Wheelbase (ft / m)6 / 1.837 / 2.137 / 2.13
Engine Wheelbase (ft / m)11.71 / 3.5713.33 / 4.2714 / 4.27
Ratio of driving wheelbase to overall engine wheelbase 0.51 0.53 0.50
Overall Wheelbase (engine & tender) (ft / m)11.71 / 3.5713.33 / 4.2714 / 4.27
Axle Loading (Maximum Weight per Axle) (lbs / kg)
Weight on Drivers (lbs / kg)28,000 / 12,70128,000 / 12,701
Engine Weight (lbs / kg)34,000 / 15,42234,000 / 15,422
Tender Loaded Weight (lbs / kg)
Total Engine and Tender Weight (lbs / kg)34,00034,000
Tender Water Capacity (gals / ML)350 / 1.33500 / 1.89500 / 1.89
Tender Fuel Capacity (oil/coal) (gals/tons / Liters/MT) 0.30 0.30
Minimum weight of rail (calculated) (lb/yd / kg/m)23 / 11.50
Geometry Relating to Tractive Effort
Driver Diameter (in / mm)40.25 / 102441 / 101640 / 1016
Boiler Pressure (psi / kPa)130 / 900130 / 900130 / 900
High Pressure Cylinders (dia x stroke) (in / mm)9" x 16" / 229x40611" x 16" / 279x40611" x 16" / 279x406
Tractive Effort (lbs / kg)3558 / 1613.885218 / 2366.855348 / 2425.81
Factor of Adhesion (Weight on Drivers/Tractive Effort) 5.37 5.24
Heating Ability
Tubes (number - dia) (in / mm)98 - 1.5" / 38119 - 1.25" / 32119 - 1.25" / 32
Flues (number - dia) (in / mm)
Flue/Tube length (ft / m) 6.25 / 1.90 6.36 / 1.94 6.36 / 1.94
Firebox Area (sq ft / m2)39.40 / 3.66
Grate Area (sq ft / m2)10.60 / 0.9911.50 / 1.0711.50 / 1.07
Evaporative Heating Surface (sq ft / m2)276 / 25.65
Superheating Surface (sq ft / m2)
Combined Heating Surface (sq ft / m2)276 / 25.65
Evaporative Heating Surface/Cylinder Volume233.90
Computations Relating to Power Output (More Information)
Robert LeMassena's Power Computation137814951495
Same as above plus superheater percentage137814951495
Same as above but substitute firebox area for grate area5122
Power L13496
Power MT

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