St Louis, Kansas City & Northern / Wabash / Wabash Saint Louis & Pacific 4-4-0 "American" Locomotives in the USA


Class Details by Steve Llanso of Sweat House Media

Class 657/D-30 (Locobase 12365)

Data from Baldwin Locomotive Works Specification for Engines as digitized by the DeGolyer Library of Southern Methodist University, Volume 22, p. 160. (Thanks to Chris Hohl for his 9 September 2016 email noting the tender's coal capacity.) Works numbers were 16916-16918 in July 1899.

Baldwin's spec sheet shows clearly that these three locomotives were ordered as Vauclain compounds at the same time the other two in the class were produced as simple-expansion engines (Locbase 6917). Unlike the slide valves in the latter engines, the compound trio had two 11 1/2" (292 mm) valves, each serving the unequal pair of one HP, one LP cylinder.

These three would be converted to simple expansion engines soon after they entered service; see Locobase 6917.


Class A/D22 - 63" (Locobase 6910)

Data from WAB 1907 Locomotive Diagrams supplied in May 2005 by Allen Stanley from his extensive Rail Data Exchange.

This large class of Eight-wheelers was built for the Wabash in two driver sizes; the other 18 69" passenger engines are described in Locobase 6911. In both sizes, production extended over a decade and more.

In the 1907 Wabash book, the following road numbers still showed on the roster:

31, 42, 44, 63, 69, 93, 96, 126-127, 132, 139, 161, 176, 200, 1030, 1032, 1124-1125, 1185, 1206


Class A/D22 - 69" (Locobase 6911)

Data from WAB 1907 Locomotive Diagrams supplied in May 2005 by Allen Stanley from his extensive Rail Data Exchange.

This large class of Eight-wheelers was built by the Wabash itself in two driver sizes; the other 25 63" mixed-traffic engines are described in Locobase 6910. The railroad produced the class over a long period of more than ten years.

In the 1907 Wabash book, the following road numbers still showed on the roster:

1, 12, 49, 51-52, 71, 74, 77, 118, 150, 153-154, 182, 184, 472, 474, 1031, 1195, 1469


Class D-28 (Locobase 6914)

Data from WAB 1907 and WAB 1 - 1917 Locomotive Diagram books supplied in May 2005 by Allen Stanley from his extensive Rail Data Exchange. Works numbers were 820-823 in 1880

This sextet was a repeat of the D-26s (Locobase 6912) that entered service a year before. The big difference was a 1" increase in cylinder diameter. Four of the D-28s had 63" drivers as shown while two (road 565 and 579) had 69" drivers.

All four 63" went to the ferro-knacker in the mid-19teens.


Class D26 (Locobase 6912)

Data from WAB 1907 Locomotive Diagrams supplied in May 2005 by Allen Stanley from his extensive Rail Data Exchange.works numbers were 775 in August 1879, 776, 778 in September, 783 in October, and 785 in November.

While the Wabash was building its own large D-22 class (Locobase 6910-6911, it was buying this class from the Ocean State builder. The principal difference was a slightly longer set of boiler tubes whose number had increased by 4.


Class D27 (Locobase 6913)

Data from WAB 1907 and WAB 1 - 1917 Locomotive Diagram books supplied in May 2005 by Allen Stanley from his extensive Rail Data Exchange. Works numbers were 774, 777, 779-780 in 1879.

This small set of Eight-wheelers was noticeably bigger than the D-22s (Locobase 6912) and D-26s (Locobase 6910-6911). Sources disagree on the sequence of railroads that owned this quartet. Locobase chose the path that began with the StLKC&N, which was the partner of the Wabash Railway Company to form the Wabash, Saint Louis & Pacific a few months after the locomotives' delivery.

Although some sources record thei histories as including an 1887 assignment to the Omaha & St Louis in class D-26, the Wabash's 1907 diagram book shows them as D-27.

Locobase speculates that they had D-26 dimensions until sometime after 1887, but were rebuilt with the larger boiler shown in the specs as D-27s. Two arch tubes added 11 sq ft (1.02 sq ft) to the firebox Thus, the basic power dimensions remained the same, but boiler pressure increased and 70 additional tubes crowded the vessel.

Possibly fitted with fresh boilers and rolling on driver diameters that suited them for prairie passenger local traffic, all four remained on the roster until sent together to the ferro-knacker's in December 1931.


Class D31 (Locobase 6918)

Data from WAB 1907 and WAB 1 - 1917 Locomotive Diagram books supplied in May 2005 by Allen Stanley from his extensive Rail Data Exchange. After searching in vain for any record of Baldwin's involvement in this pair, Locobase considered that Gene Connelly's tentative ID of Wabash as the builder.

A year after Baldwin delivered the Wabash's 77" express Eight-wheelers (Locobase 12365), these two engines rolled out on 73" drivers, but designed with substantially different proportions. The sloping grate was much bigger, but the firebox was shallower because it now sat above the plane of the driving axles. The boiler was almost perfectly cylindrical, and contained 44 more tubes of slightly greater length.


Class F / D29 (Locobase 6915)

Data from WAB 1907 and WAB 1 - 1917 Locomotive Diagram books supplied in May 2005 by Allen Stanley from his extensive Rail Data Exchange.

As the Wabash wound down its production of the 17" x 24" D-22s, it began delivering an updated design with 18" cylinders, a larger boiler pressed to 175 psi, a smaller grate, but enough firebox area to put it near the top of contemporary US Eight-wheelers. Sometime later, 11 sq ft of arch tubes was added to the firebox heating surface, increasing it to 158 sq ft.


Class H/D30 - 73" (Locobase 6916)

Data from WAB 1907 and WAB 1 - 1917 Locomotive Diagram books supplied in May 2005 by Allen Stanley from his extensive Rail Data Exchange. Works numbers 3130-3132 in August-September 1899.

These were the first Wabash Eight-wheelers that had express-engine drivers. The class was split into two groups; this one, with 73" drivers, and a set by Baldwin with 77" drivers (see Locobase 6917). Air filters and the "Wabash Smoke Suppressor", according to the spec, acted in conjunction with the perforated smoke stack saddle.

A later addition of 11 sq ft of arch tubes raised the firebox heating surface to 177 sq ft.


Class H/D30 - 77" (Locobase 6917)

Data from DeGolyer, Volume 22, pp. 170+ and WAB 1 - 1929 Locomotive Diagram books supplied in May 2005 by Allen Stanley from his extensive Rail Data Exchange. Thanks to Chris Hohl for his 9 September 2016 email noting the original tender capacity.) Works numbers for the pair delivered with simple-expansion cylinders were 17262-17263 in December 1899.

Similar to the Rhode Island 73" engines described in Locobase 6916, these Eight-wheelers rolled on true express-engine drivers. The diagram for these Baldwins shows a surprisingly lean-looking locomotive whose outsized drivers are offset by a long, high-pitched boiler barrel. In the firebox, air filters and the "Wabash Smoke Suppressor", according to the spec, acted in conjunction with the perforated smoke stack saddle.

Another spec note mandated adhesion weight "must be kept below 80,000 lb [36,287 kg]". Baldwin was to "keep within these limits in the distribution of weight on drivers" despite any errors in the calculations of weight in the railroad's submitted plans. Indeed, a Wabash inspector would determine if the locomotives were "subject to rejection or acceptance."

Three--657-659--were originally delivered as Vauclain compounds; see Locobase 12365.

All originally trailed tenders carrying 10 tons of coal; later diagrams show a reduction to 8 tons.

As with the Rhode Island engines, the Wabash later added 11 sq ft (1.02 sq m) to the firebox heating surface and increased the area to the figure shown in the specs. Thicker tires increased driver diameter to 78" (1,981 mm).

655 was scrapped in December 1929, 656 and 658 in December 1931, 659 in September 1933, and 657 finished off the class in November 1935.

Principal Dimensions by Steve Llanso of Middle Run Media
Class657/D-30A/D22 - 63"A/D22 - 69"D-28D26
Locobase ID12365 6910 6911 6914 6912
RailroadWabashWabash Saint Louis & Pacific (Wabash)Wabash Saint Louis & Pacific (Wabash)Wabash Saint Louis & Pacific (Wabash)Wabash Saint Louis & Pacific (Wabash)
CountryUSAUSAUSAUSAUSA
Whyte4-4-04-4-04-4-04-4-04-4-0
Number in Class3251865
Road Numbers657-6591, 12, 49, 51-52, 71, 74, 77,118, 150,153-154342-344, 394/1342-1344/342-344313-314, 316, 321, 323,
GaugeStdStdStdStdStd
Number Built3251865
BuilderBurnham, Williams & CoWabashWabashRhode IslandRhode Island
Year18991879187918801879
Valve GearStephensonStephensonStephensonStephensonStephenson
Locomotive Length and Weight
Driver Wheelbase (ft / m)9 / 2.74 8.67 / 2.64 8.67 / 2.64 8.50 / 2.59 8.50 / 2.59
Engine Wheelbase (ft / m)25.04 / 7.6322.82 / 6.9622.82 / 6.9623.39 / 7.1323.20 / 7.07
Ratio of driving wheelbase to overall engine wheelbase 0.36 0.38 0.38 0.36 0.37
Overall Wheelbase (engine & tender) (ft / m)47.70 / 14.5445.13 / 13.7645.13 / 13.7646.29 / 14.1145.67 / 13.92
Axle Loading (Maximum Weight per Axle) (lbs / kg)29,000 / 13,15429,000 / 13,15429,550 / 13,40430,000 / 13,608
Weight on Drivers (lbs / kg)80,000 / 36,28755,000 / 24,94855,000 / 24,94857,250 / 25,96857,000 / 25,855
Engine Weight (lbs / kg)131,000 / 59,42187,000 / 39,46387,000 / 39,46391,900 / 41,68587,000 / 39,463
Tender Loaded Weight (lbs / kg)90,000 / 40,82375,500 / 34,24675,500 / 34,24696,300 / 43,68175,500 / 34,246
Total Engine and Tender Weight (lbs / kg)221,000 / 100,244162,500 / 73,709162,500 / 73,709188,200 / 85,366162,500 / 73,709
Tender Water Capacity (gals / ML)4500 / 17.05
Tender Fuel Capacity (oil/coal) (gals/tons / Liters/MT)10
Minimum weight of rail (calculated) (lb/yd / kg/m)67 / 33.5046 / 2346 / 2348 / 2448 / 24
Geometry Relating to Tractive Effort
Driver Diameter (in / mm)77 / 198163 / 160069 / 175363 / 160069 / 1753
Boiler Pressure (psi / kPa)200 / 1380150 / 1030150 / 1030150 / 1030150 / 1030
High Pressure Cylinders (dia x stroke) (in / mm)13" x 26" / 330x66017" x 24" / 432x61017" x 24" / 432x61018" x 24" / 457x61017" x 24" / 432x610
Low Pressure Cylinders (dia x stroke) (in / mm)22" x 26" / 559x660
Tractive Effort (lbs / kg)14,381 / 6523.1214,037 / 6367.0812,817 / 5813.7015,737 / 7138.1912,817 / 5813.70
Factor of Adhesion (Weight on Drivers/Tractive Effort) 5.56 3.92 4.29 3.64 4.45
Heating Ability
Tubes (number - dia) (in / mm)248 - 2" / 51173 - 2" / 51173 - 2" / 51177 - 2" / 51177 - 2" / 51
Flues (number - dia) (in / mm)
Flue/Tube length (ft / m)12.18 / 3.7111.55 / 3.5211.55 / 3.5211.92 / 3.6311.92 / 3.63
Firebox Area (sq ft / m2)160 / 14.87131 / 12.17131 / 12.17118 / 10.97118 / 10.97
Grate Area (sq ft / m2)18.10 / 1.6817.30 / 1.6117.30 / 1.6117 / 1.5817 / 1.58
Evaporative Heating Surface (sq ft / m2)1729 / 160.691177 / 109.391177 / 109.391222 / 113.571222 / 113.57
Superheating Surface (sq ft / m2)
Combined Heating Surface (sq ft / m2)1729 / 160.691177 / 109.391177 / 109.391222 / 113.571222 / 113.57
Evaporative Heating Surface/Cylinder Volume433.24186.53186.53172.84193.66
Computations Relating to Power Output (More Information)
Robert LeMassena's Power Computation36202595259525502550
Same as above plus superheater percentage36202595259525502550
Same as above but substitute firebox area for grate area32,00019,65019,65017,70017,700
Power L156744573500840374954
Power MT312.73366.61401.48310.92383.22

Principal Dimensions by Steve Llanso of Middle Run Media
ClassD27D31F / D29H/D30 - 73"H/D30 - 77"
Locobase ID6913 6918 6915 6916 6917
RailroadSt Louis, Kansas City & Northern (Wabash)WabashWabashWabashWabash
CountryUSAUSAUSAUSAUSA
Whyte4-4-04-4-04-4-04-4-04-4-0
Number in Class422135
Road Numbers312-315/262-265255-256118652-654656-660
GaugeStdStdStdStdStd
Number Built422132
BuilderRhode IslandWabashWabashRhode IslandBurnham, Williams & Co
Year18791900189218991899
Valve GearStephensonStephensonStephensonStephensonStephenson
Locomotive Length and Weight
Driver Wheelbase (ft / m) 8.50 / 2.59 8.50 / 2.59 8.50 / 2.599 / 2.749 / 2.74
Engine Wheelbase (ft / m)22.83 / 6.9623.58 / 7.1924.31 / 7.4124.74 / 7.5424.74 / 7.54
Ratio of driving wheelbase to overall engine wheelbase 0.37 0.36 0.35 0.36 0.36
Overall Wheelbase (engine & tender) (ft / m)45.21 / 13.7847.44 / 14.4647.44 / 14.46
Axle Loading (Maximum Weight per Axle) (lbs / kg)40,500 / 18,37130,442 / 13,80841,155 / 18,66841,155 / 18,668
Weight on Drivers (lbs / kg)61,000 / 27,66980,000 / 36,28760,800 / 27,57879,505 / 36,06379,505 / 36,063
Engine Weight (lbs / kg)98,000 / 44,452126,000 / 57,15398,121 / 44,507122,905 / 55,749122,905 / 55,749
Tender Loaded Weight (lbs / kg)69,000 / 31,29892,750 / 42,07176,225 / 34,57596,300 / 43,68196,300 / 43,681
Total Engine and Tender Weight (lbs / kg)167,000 / 75,750218,750 / 99,224174,346 / 79,082219,205 / 99,430219,205 / 99,430
Tender Water Capacity (gals / ML)5000 / 18.944500 / 17.054500 / 17.05
Tender Fuel Capacity (oil/coal) (gals/tons / Liters/MT)8 / 710 / 98 / 7
Minimum weight of rail (calculated) (lb/yd / kg/m)51 / 25.5067 / 33.5051 / 25.5066 / 3366 / 33
Geometry Relating to Tractive Effort
Driver Diameter (in / mm)69 / 175373 / 185469 / 175373 / 185477 / 1956
Boiler Pressure (psi / kPa)180 / 1240190 / 1310175 / 1210185 / 1280190 / 1310
High Pressure Cylinders (dia x stroke) (in / mm)17" x 24" / 432x61019" x 26" / 483x66018" x 24" / 457x61018.5" x 26" / 470x66018.5" x 26" / 470x660
Tractive Effort (lbs / kg)15,380 / 6976.2620,765 / 9418.8616,763 / 7603.5819,168 / 8694.4718,664 / 8465.86
Factor of Adhesion (Weight on Drivers/Tractive Effort) 3.97 3.85 3.63 4.15 4.26
Heating Ability
Tubes (number - dia) (in / mm)247 - 2" / 51294 - 2" / 51196 - 2" / 51250 - 2" / 51250 - 2" / 51
Flues (number - dia) (in / mm)
Flue/Tube length (ft / m)11.29 / 3.4413 / 3.9611.87 / 3.6212.17 / 3.7112.17 / 3.71
Firebox Area (sq ft / m2)129 / 11.99162 / 15.06147 / 13.66165.90 / 15.42177 / 16.44
Grate Area (sq ft / m2)17.50 / 1.6334 / 3.1616.50 / 1.5318.12 / 1.6818.12 / 1.68
Evaporative Heating Surface (sq ft / m2)1589 / 147.682162 / 200.931362 / 126.581759 / 163.481769 / 164.34
Superheating Surface (sq ft / m2)
Combined Heating Surface (sq ft / m2)1589 / 147.682162 / 200.931362 / 126.581759 / 163.481769 / 164.34
Evaporative Heating Surface/Cylinder Volume251.82253.46192.64217.43218.67
Computations Relating to Power Output (More Information)
Robert LeMassena's Power Computation31506460288833523443
Same as above plus superheater percentage31506460288833523443
Same as above but substitute firebox area for grate area23,22030,78025,72530,69233,630
Power L173298054596972027999
Power MT529.76443.90432.87399.41443.61

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