Rutland 4-6-2 "Pacific" Locomotives in the USA


Class Details by Steve Llanso of Sweat House Media

Class K-1 (Locobase 14568)

Data from 1925 and 1950 -3- Rutland Locomotive Diagram book digitized at Middlebury College in Vermont and made available on the Web at [link] . (Thanks to Chris Hohl for pointing out the valve gear and the lack of tender weight information) Works numbers were 66327-66329 in 1925.

This trio of Pacifics blended characteristics of the two USRA Pacific designs shown in Locobases 172 and 173. From the lighter of the two came the grate and firebox, wheelbase, cylinder volume, and the weight range, while the heavier USRA design contributed the tube and flue count. Different from both government designs, however, was the two additional feet of tube length, which substantially enhanced the superheater ratio.

All three Pacifics were retired in 1952.


Class K-2 (Locobase 15903)

Data from 1950 -3- Rutland Locomotive Diagram book. See also Apr 25th, 2013

by RRHS Membership Chairman, " Rutland Railroad Historical Society 80?s and 90?s on the Rutland", Rutland Railroad Historical Society blog archived at [link], last accessed 23 September 2014. (Thanks to Chris Hohl for his September 2014 email pointing out the absence of this class; and thanks to Wes Barris of steamlocomotive.com for his 5 June 2018 email noting an out-of-whack total wheelbase. ) Works numbers were 68052-68054 in October 1929.

Locobase 14568 describes the three modern Pacifics that were derived from the USRA's Light Pacific design (Locobase 172). This trio followed four years later with boilers reflecting the growing interest in the Type E superheater, which led to more superheater area, but more maintenance as well.

Taller drivers increased running speed and conferred a graceful profile on the design. Any loss in tractive effort was offset by a 15-psi (1.03 bar) increase in boiler pressure, while the 12" (305 mm) piston valves were big enough for the Rut. Other "special equipment" were the cast-steel locomotive bed, front end American multiple throttle, type BK stoker, Alco reverse goal, Nathan 24-point mechanical lubricator, Cleveland low water alarm, right-hand-side exhaust steam injector.

The RRHS chairman noted the trio's service area and reputation: "These steamers were used throughout the Rutland system and frequently powered the Mount Royal and Green Mountain Flyer trains, as well as time-sensitive milk trains. They were considered a favorite of engine crews." They served the Rutland until 1951-1953.

Principal Dimensions by Steve Llanso of Middle Run Media
ClassK-1K-2
Locobase ID14568 15903
RailroadRutland (Rutland)Rutland (Rutland)
CountryUSAUSA
Whyte4-6-24-6-2
Number in Class33
Road Numbers80-8283-85
GaugeStdStd
Number Built33
BuilderAlco-SchenectadyAlco-Schenectady
Year19251929
Valve GearWalschaertWalschaert
Locomotive Length and Weight
Driver Wheelbase (ft / m)13 / 3.9613.67 / 4.17
Engine Wheelbase (ft / m)35.83 / 10.9235.92 / 10.95
Ratio of driving wheelbase to overall engine wheelbase 0.36 0.38
Overall Wheelbase (engine & tender) (ft / m)71.04 / 21.6572.20 / 22.01
Axle Loading (Maximum Weight per Axle) (lbs / kg)
Weight on Drivers (lbs / kg)170,500 / 77,338175,500 / 79,606
Engine Weight (lbs / kg)278,000 / 126,099292,500 / 132,676
Tender Loaded Weight (lbs / kg)196,800 / 89,267202,300 / 91,762
Total Engine and Tender Weight (lbs / kg)474,800 / 215,366494,800 / 224,438
Tender Water Capacity (gals / ML)11,000 / 41.6711,000 / 41.67
Tender Fuel Capacity (oil/coal) (gals/tons / Liters/MT)14 / 1314 / 13
Minimum weight of rail (calculated) (lb/yd / kg/m)95 / 47.5098 / 49
Geometry Relating to Tractive Effort
Driver Diameter (in / mm)69 / 175373 / 1854
Boiler Pressure (psi / kPa)200 / 1380215 / 1480
High Pressure Cylinders (dia x stroke) (in / mm)25" x 28" / 635x71125" x 28" / 635x711
Tractive Effort (lbs / kg)43,116 / 19557.1143,810 / 19871.91
Factor of Adhesion (Weight on Drivers/Tractive Effort) 3.95 4.01
Heating Ability
Tubes (number - dia) (in / mm)216 - 2.25" / 5744 - 2.25" / 57
Flues (number - dia) (in / mm)40 - 5.5" / 140168 - 3.5" / 89
Flue/Tube length (ft / m)21 / 6.4021 / 6.40
Firebox Area (sq ft / m2)242 / 22.48234 / 21.74
Grate Area (sq ft / m2)66.70 / 6.2066.70 / 6.20
Evaporative Heating Surface (sq ft / m2)4108 / 381.643994 / 371.05
Superheating Surface (sq ft / m2)1060 / 98.481808 / 167.97
Combined Heating Surface (sq ft / m2)5168 / 480.125802 / 539.02
Evaporative Heating Surface/Cylinder Volume258.20251.04
Computations Relating to Power Output (More Information)
Robert LeMassena's Power Computation13,34014,341
Same as above plus superheater percentage16,14118,786
Same as above but substitute firebox area for grate area58,56465,906
Power L121,47935,244
Power MT833.191328.20

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Wes Barris