Woodward Iron Company 2-6-2 "Prairie" Locomotives in the USA

Class 22 (Locobase 12698)

Data from Baldwin Locomotive Works Specification for Engines as digitized by the DeGolyer Library of Southern Methodist University, Volume 32, p. 271 and Volume 33, p. 26. (Thanks to Chris Hohl for his 10 September 2019 email noting the correct boiler pressure.). Works numbers were 33262 in September 1909 and 34007 in November.

Conceived originally as a high-speed express type, the double-ended Prairie arrangement proved highly useful to logging and industrial service when produced with much smaller drivers. The WIC bought this pair for the latter purpose, accepting a very small grate, and operated them on the 60-lb/yard (30-kg/metre) Woodward Railroad.

Both engines were scrapped in November 1938.

Class 23 (Locobase 12697)

Data from Baldwin Locomotive Works Specification for Engines as digitized by the DeGolyer Library of Southern Methodist University, Volume 47, p. 222. (Thanks to Chris Hohl for his 21 August 2019 email pointing out several errors attributable to a confusion between two specification pages.) Works number was 33262 in September 1909.

Locobase wonders if the building date shown in Gene Connelly's comprehensive list of Baldwin production is correct. It seems likely, given the numbering given to this Prairie, which lay between two smaller 2-6-2s produced in September and November 1909; see Locobase 12698.

This engine was larger and showed a better balance between grate and boiler. Like the other Prairies, the 23 operated on the Woodward Railroad until it went to work for Woodstock Slag Corporation. There it continued in service until its scrapping in 1946.