East Broad Top R & C 2-6-2 "Prairie" Locomotives in the USA


Class Details by Steve Llanso of Sweat House Media

Class 11 (Locobase 4215)

Data from "Recent Narrow Gage [sic] Locomotives for Heavy Service," Railroad Age Gazette, Vol XLV, No 12 (21 August 1908), pp. 755-758. See also DeGolyer, Volume 31, p. 177. Works number was 32664 in February 1908.

This pocket Prairie served both passenger and freight requirements on a Pennsylvania line that had curves of 17-deg radius. To gain the proper leverage, the main rod drove the rear set of drivers. Because of the compact driving wheelbase, the curved link was placed behind the plane of the middle set of drivers.

RAG notes that "the boiler capacity is high in proportion to the tractive force" and concludes "... the design throughout is admirably adapted to the service required." A note in the Baldwin specs said that the steam chest valve centre [sic] was outside of the cylinder centre "to prevent use of rock shaft in valve motion." (and eliminating at least one adjustment to the motion).

This engine stayed in service for 35 years before being scrapped in April 1943.

Principal Dimensions by Steve Llanso of Sweat House Media

Class11
Locobase ID4215
RailroadEast Broad Top R & C
CountryUSA
Whyte2-6-2
Number in Class1
Road Numbers11
Gauge3'
Number Built1
BuilderBurnham, Williams & Co
Year1908
Valve GearWalschaert
Locomotive Length and Weight
Driver Wheelbase (ft / m) 9.50 / 2.90
Engine Wheelbase (ft / m)21.50 / 6.55
Ratio of driving wheelbase to overall engine wheelbase 0.44
Overall Wheelbase (engine & tender) (ft / m)44.33 / 13.51
Axle Loading (Maximum Weight per Axle) (lbs / kg)
Weight on Drivers (lbs / kg)66,180 / 30,019
Engine Weight (lbs / kg)89,780 / 40,724
Tender Loaded Weight (lbs / kg)50,220 / 22,779
Total Engine and Tender Weight (lbs / kg)140,000 / 63,503
Tender Water Capacity (gals / ML)2500 / 9.47
Tender Fuel Capacity (oil/coal) (gals/tons / Liters/MT)5 / 5
Minimum weight of rail (calculated) (lb/yd / kg/m)37 / 18.50
Geometry Relating to Tractive Effort
Driver Diameter (in / mm)48 / 1219
Boiler Pressure (psi / kPa)160 / 11
High Pressure Cylinders (dia x stroke) (in / mm)16" x 22" / 406x559
Tractive Effort (lbs / kg)15,957 / 7237.98
Factor of Adhesion (Weight on Drivers/Tractive Effort) 4.15
Heating Ability
Tubes (number - dia) (in / mm)152 - 2" / 51
Flues (number - dia) (in / mm)
Flue/Tube length (ft / m)13.50 / 4.11
Firebox Area (sq ft / m2)91.80 / 8.53
Grate Area (sq ft / m2)24 / 2.23
Evaporative Heating Surface (sq ft / m2)1159 / 107.71
Superheating Surface (sq ft / m2)
Combined Heating Surface (sq ft / m2)1159 / 107.71
Evaporative Heating Surface/Cylinder Volume226.37
Computations Relating to Power Output (More Information)
Robert LeMassena's Power Computation3840
Same as above plus superheater percentage3840
Same as above but substitute firebox area for grate area14,688
Power L14045
Power MT404.25

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