Fairfield Traction 2-4-0 "Porter" Locomotives in the USA


Class Details by Steve Llanso of Sweat House Media

Class 1 (Locobase 12474)

Data from Baldwin Locomotive Works Specification for Engines as digitized by the DeGolyer Library of Southern Methodist University Volume 23, p. 205. (Thanks to Chris Hohl for his 23 October 2019 email reporting the correct boiler pressure.) Works number was 18627 in January 1901.

Locobase 12269 describes the failure of the Baldwin steam railcar design and its rapid conversion to a switcher. The need for traction on this street railway remained, however, and the company bought this small saddle-tank engine. The earlier unit's engine truck contributed many of the running gear's parts: "cylinders, wheels, axles, [axle] boxes, connecting rods, valve motion (except reversing shaft and lever), crossheads, guides, and truck. Also frames which are to be welded out."

8" (203 mm) piston valves served the cylinders. But the earlier unit's self-firing feature was to be omitted and fuel capacity needed to be increased to confer a 25-mile (40 km) range.

Surviving Fairfield Traction's reorganization as the Lancaster Traction & Power company, the 1 was sold to the locomotive rebuilder/reseller Southern Iron & Equipment in 1907.

Principal Dimensions by Steve Llanso of Middle Run Media
Class1
Locobase ID12474
RailroadFairfield Traction
CountryUSA
Whyte2-4-0ST
Number in Class1
Road Numbers1
GaugeStd
Number Built1
BuilderBurnham, Williams & Co
Year1901
Valve GearStephenson
Locomotive Length and Weight
Driver Wheelbase (ft / m) 7.50 / 2.29
Engine Wheelbase (ft / m)13.83 / 4.22
Ratio of driving wheelbase to overall engine wheelbase 0.54
Overall Wheelbase (engine & tender) (ft / m)13.83 / 4.22
Axle Loading (Maximum Weight per Axle) (lbs / kg)
Weight on Drivers (lbs / kg)73,500 / 33,339
Engine Weight (lbs / kg)78,500 / 35,607
Tender Loaded Weight (lbs / kg)
Total Engine and Tender Weight (lbs / kg)78,500
Tender Water Capacity (gals / ML)1000 / 3.79
Tender Fuel Capacity (oil/coal) (gals/tons / Liters/MT)
Minimum weight of rail (calculated) (lb/yd / kg/m)
Geometry Relating to Tractive Effort
Driver Diameter (in / mm)42 / 1067
Boiler Pressure (psi / kPa)200 / 1380
High Pressure Cylinders (dia x stroke) (in / mm)9.5" x 18" / 241x457
Low Pressure Cylinders (dia x stroke) (in / mm)16" x 18" / 406x457
Tractive Effort (lbs / kg)9723 / 4410.28
Factor of Adhesion (Weight on Drivers/Tractive Effort) 7.56
Heating Ability
Tubes (number - dia) (in / mm)126 - 2" / 51
Flues (number - dia) (in / mm)
Flue/Tube length (ft / m) 9.58 / 2.92
Firebox Area (sq ft / m2)49 / 4.55
Grate Area (sq ft / m2)15 / 1.39
Evaporative Heating Surface (sq ft / m2)676 / 62.80
Superheating Surface (sq ft / m2)
Combined Heating Surface (sq ft / m2)676 / 62.80
Evaporative Heating Surface/Cylinder Volume456.38
Computations Relating to Power Output (More Information)
Robert LeMassena's Power Computation3000
Same as above plus superheater percentage3000
Same as above but substitute firebox area for grate area9800
Power L13078
Power MT

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