Boston and Maine 3713

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Boston and Maine No. 3713
B&M No. 3713 on static display at Steamtown, U.S.A.
Type and origin Power type Steam Builder Lima Locomotive Works Serial number 7625 Build date December 1934 Rebuild date 1998–ongoing
Specifications Configuration: ​  • Whyte 4-6-2  • UIC 2′C1′ n2 Gauge 4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) Driver dia. 80 in (2,032.0 mm) Wheelbase 77 ft 7 in (23.6 m) Adhesive weight 209,500 lb (95,027.6 kilograms; 95.0 tonnes) Loco weight 339,200 lb (153,858.5 kg; 153.9 t) Tender weight 240,800 lb (109,225.0 kg; 109.2 t) Total weight 580,000 lb (263,083.6 kg; 263.1 t) Fuel type Coal Fuel capacity 37,000 lb (16,782.9 kg; 16.8 t) Water cap 12,000 US gallons (45,000 l; 10,000 imp gal) Firebox:  • Firegrate area 66.9 sq ft (6.22 m2) Boiler pressure 260 lbf/in2 (1.79 MPa) Feedwater heater Coffin Heating surface 4,814 sq ft (447.2 m2)  • Tubes and flues 3,848 sq ft (357.5 m2)  • Firebox 320 sq ft (30 m2) Superheater: ​  • Heating area 966 sq ft (89.7 m2) Cylinders Two Cylinder size 23 in × 28 in (584 mm × 711 mm) Valve gear Walschaerts Valve type Piston valves
Performance figures Tractive effort 40,918 lbf (182 kN) Factor of adh. 5.12
Career Operators Boston and Maine Railroad (1934–1958) Class P-4a Numbers B&M 3713 Official name "The Constitution" Locale New England Delivered December 1934 Retired 1958 Preserved 1960 Current owner Steamtown National Historic Site Disposition Undergoing restoration to operating condition, based at the Steamtown National Historic Site in Scranton, Pennsylvania

Boston and Maine No. 3713, also known as the "Constitution", is the sole survivor of the "P-4a" class 4-6-2 heavy "Pacific" type steam locomotives. It was built by the Lima Locomotive Works for the Boston and Maine Railroad in December 1934. This locomotive is currently being restored to operating condition at the Steamtown National Historic Site in Scranton, Pennsylvania as a part of their operating fleet for use on excursion trains. It is the focus of Project 3713, a partnership between the National Park Service and the Lackawanna & Wyoming Valley Railway Historical Society.

History[]

Design[]

Boston and Maine 3713 was one of five "P-4a" class heavy 4-6-2 "Pacifics" (Nos. 3710-3714) ordered by the Boston and Maine (B&M) in December 1934 at the Lima Locomotive Works (LLW) in Lima, Ohio.^[1] These locomotives were originally built with smoke deflectors, a single air compressor mounted on their pilot deck, and a metal sky-lining shroud covering up the top of their boiler thus giving them a semi-streamlined appearance.^[2] In 1936, B&M ordered the final batch of five Pacifics (Nos. 3715-3719) which were delivered in March 1937. These were the last Pacifics built by Lima to date. Slightly classified as P-4b, they were delivered with smoke deflectors, but without the sky-lining shroud.^[1]

Designed with 80" drivers, a larger firebox, and a massive boiler, the P-4 Heavy Pacifics would easily cruise at a speed of 70 miles per hour, carrying enough coal to pull a 14-car train for about 250 miles, and enough water to last about 125 miles. Due to wartime conditions with World War II, P-4s were all de-shrouded along with their smoke deflectors removed for easier maintenance. Around 1944 or 1945, a second air compressor was added on all of the locomotives' pilot deck.

Namings[]

B&M sponsored the New England students a contest to name all five P-4a and five other P-4b after their schools. On December 11, 1937, the engine was officially named The Constitution by J. Schumann Moore, a 14-year-old student from Eastern High School in Lynn, Massachusetts. Between 1940 and 1941, other winning names were selected to P-4a Pacifics No. 3710 as Peter Cooper, No. 3711 as Allagash, No. 3712 as East Wind, and No. 3714 as Greylock. While the P-4b Pacifics Nos. 3715 to 3719 were also named Kwasind, Rogers’ Rangers, Old North Bridge, Ye Salem Witch, and Camel’s Hump, respectively. Each locomotives all have a plaque representing the students' name and their respective educated school.

Retirement and preservation[]

After being bumped off passenger duties by newer diesels in the mid-1950s, 3713 was fitted with special steam pipes to melt snow and heat passenger cars at the North Station terminal in Boston.^[3] It was recalled to road service to cover for diesel locomotives during a flood; presumably in connection with the events of Hurricane Diane which affected the area at that time. Its last revenue assignment was a fan excursion trip between Boston and Portland, Maine on April 22, 1956.^[4] In 1958, it was sold to F. Nelson Blount for his Steamtown, U.S.A. collection in South Carver and Wakefield, Massachusetts, before it was moved to North Walpole, New Hampshire, then Bellows Falls, Vermont.^[5] In 1969, the engine was loaned to Boston's Museum of Science with a cosmetic repaint to make the locomotive look factory-fresh.^[6] No. 3713 was returned to Steamtown in the mid-1970s, and it was eventually moved along with the rest of the collection to Scranton, Pennsylvania.^[7]

Restoration[]

Today, the locomotive is currently undergoing restoration to operating condition through a partnership with the Lackawanna & Wyoming Valley Railway Historical Society.^[8] Once restored, it will become a replacement for Canadian National 3254 as Steamtown's main steam excursion star.^[9] It will operate along with Canadian Pacific 2317, and Baldwin Locomotive Works 26.^[8][9]

Gallery[]

• 

  No. 3713's tender.

• 

  No. 3713's boiler being restored.

References[]

Further reading[]

External links[]

• Project3713
• Boston & Maine 3713

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