SP&S Class E-1

Spokane Portland and Seattle Railway's E-1 class was a class of the only three 4-8-4 locomotives built by the Baldwin Locomotive Works in 1938. The E-1 class "Northerns" were very identical to the A-2 through the A-5 class "Northerns" on the Northern Pacific Railroad built by the Baldwin Locomotive Works from 1934–1943. No differences by eyes of people were noticed. The only difference is that the Northern Pacific Railroad 4-8-4s burn coal, and the 4-8-4s on the Spokane, Portland & Seattle Railroad burns oil (which increases more route availability without stopping for a refill of coal).

Spokane, Portland and Seattle class E-1
Spokane, Portland and Seattle No. 700
Type and origin Power type Steam Builder Baldwin Locomotive Works Serial number 62171–62173 Build date 1938
Specifications Configuration: ​  • Whyte 4-8-4  • UIC 2′D2′ h2 Gauge 4 ft 8 ^1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) Driver dia. 77 in (1,956 mm) Axle load 77,200 lb (35.0 tonnes) Adhesive weight 290,200 lb (131.6 tonnes) Loco weight 485,500 lb (220.2 tonnes) Total weight 865,500 lb (392.6 tonnes) Fuel type Oil Boiler pressure 250 psi (1.7 MPa) Cylinders Two Cylinder size 28 in × 32 in (710 mm × 810 mm) Valve gear Walschaerts
Performance figures Maximum speed 110 mph / 170 km per hour Tractive effort 69,800 lbf (310.49 kN)
Career Operators Spokane, Portland and Seattle Railway Class E-1 Number in class 3 Numbers 700–702 Preserved No. 700 preserved, 701 and 702 scrapped Disposition No. 700 awaiting 1472-day overhaul

Preservation

There is only one survivor, #700, which was restored by, and is maintained by, the Pacific Railroad Preservation Association. #701 and #702 were both scrapped after they were retired. Since mid-2012, since #700 Back-Strikes, [1] it resides at the Oregon Rail Heritage Center, in Portland, where the public can view it during the center's opening days.[2] It is taken on special trips once or twice a year.

References

1. Redden, Jim (July 11, 2012 (print edition July 12, 2012)). "Rail history center: full steam ahead". Portland Tribune. p. A10. Retrieved September 29, 2012. Check date values in: |date= (help)
2. "Oregon Rail Heritage Center opens its doors". Official blog of Portland city commissioner Nick Fish. September 24, 2012. Retrieved September 29, 2012.