USRA 2-8-8-2

USRA 2-8-8-2
Virginian 900, prior to its refusal by the Virginian Railway. It (and VGN 901–904) became Norfolk and Western Railway 2000–2004, class Y-3.
Type and origin
Power type Steam
Builder ALCO, Baldwin
Total produced 106 originals, plus copies
Specifications
Configuration:
 ​
 • Whyte 2-8-8-2
 • UIC (1′D)D1′ h4v
Gauge 4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm)
Driver dia. 57 in (1,448 mm)
Adhesive weight 474,000 lb (215.0 t)
Loco weight 531,000 lb (240.9 t)
Fuel type Coal
Boiler pressure 240 lbf/in2 (1.65 MPa)
Cylinders Four, two LP (front), two HP (rear)
High-pressure cylinder 23 in × 32 in (584 mm × 813 mm)
Low-pressure cylinder 39 in × 32 in (991 mm × 813 mm)
Loco brake Air
Train brakes Air
Performance figures
Tractive effort 101,300 lbf (450.6 kN)
Career
Disposition One copy (N&W 2050) preserved, remainder scrapped

The USRA 2-8-8-2 was a USRA standard class of steam locomotive designed under the control of the United States Railroad Administration, the nationalized railroad system in the United States during World War I. These locomotives were of 2-8-8-2 wheel arrangement in the Whyte notation, or (1'D)'D1' in UIC classification. A total of 106 locomotives were built to this plan for the USRA; postwar, it became a de facto standard design.

History

While the 2-8-8-2 had been built in the United States since 1909,[1] most development work had gone into making subsequent locomotives larger and heavier. The Norfolk and Western Railway however, had taken development in a different direction. By using smaller cylinders and higher boiler pressure, the result was a locomotive capable of powerful performance, and a turn of speed higher than the 20 mph (32 km/h) maximum of the ‘traditional’ designs.[1]

The USRA 2-8-8-2 drew heavily on the Norfolk and Western Railway’s Y-2 class locomotive design, as their delegate to the 2-8-8-2 design committee had brought a full set of blueprints.[2]

Original owners

USRA originals

RailroadQuantityClassRoad numbersNotes
Baltimore and Ohio Railroad
26
7145–7170
 rebuilt to EL-5 class 2-8-8-0[3] NOTE: The B&O EL-5 locomotives were NOT USRA types with the trailing trucks removed. Lawrence [Larry] Sagle, primary author of B&O Power is likely the one responsible for this canard. Considering that most people think his book to be the standard work on B&O motive power, they apparently just keep repeating the error. Sagle was a B&O employee [ran public relations] and should have known better. Check out Sagle's figures on the EL-5 [cylinders, driver diameter boiler pressure, etc. - page 169 of B&O Power] and compare with the figures for the USRA locos as cited here, then check out the stats for the N&W Y-3 types as given on page 34 of Rosenberg & Archer's Norfolk & Western Steam [The Last 25 Years]
Clinchfield Railroad
10
L-2
725–735
 [4]
Norfolk and Western Railway
45
Y-3
2005–2049
 [5]
Virginian Railway
5
—
900–904
 Refused, to Norfolk & Western 2000–2004[6]
Virginian Railway
20
USA
701–720
 [6]
Total106

Copies

RailroadQuantityClassRoad numbersNotes
Clinchfield Railroad
10
L-3
725–735
 [4]
Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad
10
L-107
3500–3509
 [7]
Interstate Railway [1]
Norfolk and Western Railway
30
Y-3a
2050–2079
 [5]
Norfolk and Western Railway
45
Y-3b
2080–2089
 Later re-classed as Y-4[5]
Northern Pacific Railway
4
Z-4
4500–4503
 [8]
Virginian Railway
15
USB
721–735
 [6]
Total

Survivor

Although no original USRA 2-8-8-2 survives, one of the copies does. Norfolk & Western 2050, a 1923 ALCO product of N&W's Y-3a class, is on display at the Illinois Railway Museum.

References

Notes

  1. 1 2 3 E. W. King, Jr. in Drury pp.298–299
  2. ↑ E. W. King, Jr. in Drury p.299
  3. ↑ Drury p.47
  4. 1 2 Drury pp.131, 133
  5. 1 2 3 E. W. King, Jr. in Drury pp.299, 308
  6. 1 2 3 E. W. King, Jr in Drury pp.417, 419
  7. ↑ Drury pp.157, 161
  8. ↑ Drury pp.310, 317

Bibliography

  • Drury, George H. (1983), Guide to North American Steam Locomotives, Waukesha, Wisconsin: Kalmbach Publishing Company, ISBN 0-89024-206-2, LCCN 93041472
  • Westcott, Linn H. (1960). Model Railroader Cyclopedia, volume 1, Steam Locomotives. Milwaukee, Wisconsin: Kalmbach Publishing Company. ISBN 0-89024-001-9.
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