Kansas City & Independence Rapid Transit 2-4-2 "Columbian" Locomotives in the USA


Class Details by Steve Llanso of Sweat House Media

Class Pocahontas (Locobase 11620)

Data from Baldwin Locomotive Works Specification for Engines, 1888, as digitized by the DeGolyer Library of Southern Methodist University Volume 13, 227 and Volume 15, p. 82, See Locobase 16366 for a skeptical 1877 view of steam dummies and Locobase 11577 for a supporting 1889 discussion of the problems associated with running steam dummies on urban street railways. Works numbers were 8528-8529 in April 1887; 8670, 8675, 8679 in July; 9976 in May 1889 and 10049 in June.

As with most street railways, the purchase and operation of these steam dummies spanned only a short period in the motive power history of the KC&IRT. The first was produced in April 1887; the two built in April were named Pocahontas and Minehaha. Three more were delivered in July. The last of these was sold to the East End Railway either immediately or soon after it went into service. The first of the 1889 steam dummies was number 5 as well.

By 1892, the company had decided to electrify and the stud of dummies was sold off, most to lumber companies.

Principal Dimensions by Steve Llanso of Middle Run Media
ClassPocahontas
Locobase ID11620
RailroadKansas City & Independence Rapid Transit
CountryUSA
Whyte2-4-2T
Number in Class7
Road Numbers1-4, 5 (2), 6
GaugeStd
Number Built7
BuilderBurnham, Parry, Williams & Co
Year1887
Valve GearStephenson
Locomotive Length and Weight
Driver Wheelbase (ft / m)5 / 1.52
Engine Wheelbase (ft / m)16.75 / 5.11
Ratio of driving wheelbase to overall engine wheelbase 0.30
Overall Wheelbase (engine & tender) (ft / m)16.75 / 5.11
Axle Loading (Maximum Weight per Axle) (lbs / kg)
Weight on Drivers (lbs / kg)36,000 / 16,329
Engine Weight (lbs / kg)52,000 / 23,587
Tender Loaded Weight (lbs / kg)
Total Engine and Tender Weight (lbs / kg)
Tender Water Capacity (gals / ML)600 / 2.27
Tender Fuel Capacity (oil/coal) (gals/tons / Liters/MT)
Minimum weight of rail (calculated) (lb/yd / kg/m)30 / 15
Geometry Relating to Tractive Effort
Driver Diameter (in / mm)42 / 1067
Boiler Pressure (psi / kPa)130 / 900
High Pressure Cylinders (dia x stroke) (in / mm)13" x 20" / 330x508
Tractive Effort (lbs / kg)8893 / 4033.80
Factor of Adhesion (Weight on Drivers/Tractive Effort) 4.05
Heating Ability
Tubes (number - dia) (in / mm)168 - 1.5" / 38
Flues (number - dia) (in / mm)
Flue/Tube length (ft / m) 6.06 / 1.85
Firebox Area (sq ft / m2)51 / 4.74
Grate Area (sq ft / m2)12.60 / 1.17
Evaporative Heating Surface (sq ft / m2)344 / 31.97
Superheating Surface (sq ft / m2)
Combined Heating Surface (sq ft / m2)344 / 31.97
Evaporative Heating Surface/Cylinder Volume112.05
Computations Relating to Power Output (More Information)
Robert LeMassena's Power Computation1638
Same as above plus superheater percentage1638
Same as above but substitute firebox area for grate area6630
Power L11776
Power MT217.52

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