Chicago and North Western class R-1

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Chicago & North Western Railway Class R-1
C&NW 1384 builders photo 1907.jpg
C&NW 1384 in its 1907 builder's photo.
Type and origin
Power typeSteam
Builder
  • Schenectady Locomotive Works (20)
  • American Locomotive Co. (220)
  • Baldwin locomotive Works (85)
Serial numbersee table
Build date1901–1908
Total produced325
Specifications
Configuration:
​
 • Whyte4-6-0
 • UIC2′C n2
Gauge4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm)
Driver dia.63 in (1.600 m)
Wheelbase:
 • Engine		25 ft 10 in (7.87 m)
Loco weight164,000–186,000 lb (74,000–84,000 kg)
Firebox typeRadial stay (round-top)
 • Firegrate area46.2 sq ft (4.29 m2) (102 in × 65+1⁄4 in or 2.591 m × 1.657 m)
Boiler:
​
 • Diameter66+1⁄4 in (1.683 m)
Boiler pressure200 lbf/in2 (1.38 MPa)
CylindersTwo, outside
Cylinder size21 in × 26 in (533 mm × 660 mm)
Valve gearStephenson, Walschaerts
Performance figures
Tractive effort30,900 lbf (137 kN)
Career
OperatorsChicago and North Western Railway
ClassR-1
Numberssee table
Retired1929–1956
Preserved175, 444, 1385
DispositionThree preserved, remainder scrapped

The Chicago and North Western Railway Class R-1 was a class of 325 American 4-6-0 locomotives. They were built between 1901 and 1908 by the Schenectady Locomotive Works and its successor, the American Locomotive Company; Baldwin Locomotive Works also built 85 of them.

Design[]

The locomotives were an enlarged version of the . While both classes had 63-inch (1.600 m) diameter driving wheels and a cylinder stroke of 26 inches (660 mm), the R-1 had larger diameter cylinders – 20 to 21 inches (508 to 533 mm), a higher boiler pressure 190 to 200 lbf/in2 (1.31 to 1.38 MPa), and a larger firebox. They also had piston stead of slide valves, which made subsequent conversion to superheating easier.

The biggest change was in the firebox: the class R locomotives' firebox had been between the frames and only 40+1⁄4 inches (1,020 mm) wide. On the R-1 locomotives it was above the rear drivers and was not restricted by the gap between the frames (which was constrained by the track gauge). Consequently, the 64+1⁄4-inch (1,630 mm) wide firebox gave 60 percent larger grate area – both classes had fireboxes 102 inches (2,600 mm) deep.

Most locomotives had Stephenson valve gear, except for the 1908 batch, which had Walschaerts.[1]

Construction[]

The locomotives were built by Schenectady Locomotive Works and by the same works under its corporate successor, the American Locomotive Company. Baldwin Locomotive Works also built 85 of the locomotives; Baldwin marked them as 10-36 D in their classification system.

Service[]

The Class R-1 was designed for freight service, and initially was used that way. As train weights rose and more powerful locomotives were acquired, they were cascaded down to branch line and mixed train service.

Several were converted to oil firing—at least 87 locomotives are known to have run as oil-burners at some point in their C&NW service.[3]

From the 1920s onwards, several locomotives had superheaters installed; some of them having new boilers of a slightly larger design.

Retirements started in 1929, but the last was not retired until 1956.

Preservation[]

Three locomotives have been preserved:[5]

References[]

  1. ^ Cole 1938, p. 74.
  2. ^ a b Cole 1938, pp. 17–62.
  3. ^ Cole 1938, p. 63.
  4. ^ Chicago and North Western Railway 1948, pp. 3–19.
  5. ^ Barrie, Wes. "4-6-0 locomotives in the USA". steam locomotive.com. Retrieved 2019-07-07.

General references[]

  • Cole, F.A. (1938). Locomotives of the Chicago & North Western Railway. Boston: The Railway & Locomotive Historical Society.
  • Chicago and North Western Railway (1948). Locomotives of the Chicago & North Western Railway, supplement. The Railway & Locomotive Historical Society.
  • Drury, George H. (1985). The Historical Guide to North American Railroads. Milwaukee, Wisconsin: Kalmbach Publishing Company. ISBN 0-89024-072-8. LCCN 85080107.
  • Barrie, Wes. "C&NW 4-6-0 loomotives". steamlocomotive.com. Retrieved 2019-07-07.
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