Central of Georgia 4-8-4 "Northern" Locomotives in the USA

Class K (Locobase 245)

Data from tables in 1947 Locomotive Cyclopedia and the CofGa 9 - 1950 Locomotive Diagram book supplied in May 2005 by Allen Stanley from his extensive Rail Data Exchange. Thanks to Chris Hohl for asking the questions that led to a substantial revision. Works numbers were 8254-8255 in August 1943, 8256-8258 in September, and 8259-8261 in October.

Firebox heating surface included 70 sq ft (6.5 sq m) of thermic syphons and 15 sq ft (1.4 sq m) of arch tubes. Drury (1993) notes that these wartime engines are often described as near-duplicates of the Espee's GS-6 (Locobase 282). The boiler layout differed, however, as the Ks had more small tubes and fewer flues that had 1/2" (12.7 mm) greater outside diameter. Another principal difference was the use of the Elesco feedwater heater. Piston valves measured 12" (305 mm) in diameter.

On the Central of Georgia, the class was nicknamed the "Big Apples." Alexander (American Locomotives, 1950) adds that they cost $178,000 each and could "maintain fast schedules between Macon [Georgia] and Atlanta with 22 passenger cars northbound or thirty cars southbound." Their coal consumption was measured at 100 lb for every 1,000 gross ton miles or 11.4 lb/passenger-car mile.