Catskill Mountain 4-4-0 "American" Locomotives in the USA


Class Details by Steve Llanso of Sweat House Media

Class Charles L Beach (Locobase 11117)

Data from Schenectady Locomotive Works, Illustrated Catalogue of Simple and Compound Locomotives (Philadelphia: J B Lippincott, 1897), pp. 54-55. See also the Ulster & Delaware Railroad Historical Society's website at [link] (last accessed 22 January 2010), and "Catskill Mountain Railway", Locomotive Engineering, Volume 12, No 1 (January 1899), p. 9. Works number was 4333 in August 1895.

The CMR connected Greene County's Catskill with the Catskill Mountain House at Palenville over 15 3/4 miles (25.4 km) of line. It was opened to Lawrenceville on 29 July 1882 and to Palenville in Spring 1883. The Cairo branch opened in 1885.

This small Ten-wheeler was described by LE as "up-to-date even to a steam bell ringer." Another beneficial detail, whose orgin was ascribed to former LE editor John A Hill, were single-sash cab windows hinged at the top to allow "circulation of air through the cab in stormy weather without the rain beating in."

Less favorably reviewed was the vacuum braking system instead of an air brake. "This, of course, prevents the use of the conductor's whistle signal on the engine, there being no air to operate it with."

The line's success would be guaranteed only until resort goers could ride by car from farther-off stations or drive the whole way. Once that began in earnest in the 19teens, the CM was doomed and it closed after the 1918 tourist season.

The 4's capacious anthracite firebox doubtless kept down sparks.

Principal Dimensions by Steve Llanso of Middle Run Media
ClassCharles L Beach
Locobase ID11117
RailroadCatskill Mountain
CountryUSA
Whyte4-4-0
Number in Class1
Road Numbers4
Gauge3'
Number Built1
BuilderSchenectady
Year1895
Valve GearStephenson
Locomotive Length and Weight
Driver Wheelbase (ft / m) 6.75 / 2.06
Engine Wheelbase (ft / m)18.42 / 5.61
Ratio of driving wheelbase to overall engine wheelbase 0.37
Overall Wheelbase (engine & tender) (ft / m)40.50 / 12.34
Axle Loading (Maximum Weight per Axle) (lbs / kg)
Weight on Drivers (lbs / kg)36,000 / 16,329
Engine Weight (lbs / kg)56,100 / 25,447
Tender Loaded Weight (lbs / kg)
Total Engine and Tender Weight (lbs / kg)
Tender Water Capacity (gals / ML)1600 / 6.06
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)49 / 1245
Boiler Pressure (psi / kPa)160 / 1100
High Pressure Cylinders (dia x stroke) (in / mm)13" x 18" / 330x457
Tractive Effort (lbs / kg)8443 / 3829.68
Factor of Adhesion (Weight on Drivers/Tractive Effort) 4.26
Heating Ability
Tubes (number - dia) (in / mm)120 - 2" / 51
Flues (number - dia) (in / mm)
Flue/Tube length (ft / m) 9.46 / 2.88
Firebox Area (sq ft / m2)82.90 / 7.70
Grate Area (sq ft / m2)15.26 / 1.42
Evaporative Heating Surface (sq ft / m2)672 / 62.45
Superheating Surface (sq ft / m2)
Combined Heating Surface (sq ft / m2)672 / 62.45
Evaporative Heating Surface/Cylinder Volume242.60
Computations Relating to Power Output (More Information)
Robert LeMassena's Power Computation2442
Same as above plus superheater percentage2442
Same as above but substitute firebox area for grate area13,264
Power L15125
Power MT627.70

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