Great Northern S-1

The Great Northern S-1 Class was a class of 6 4-8-4 Northern type steam locomotives built by the Baldwin Locomotive Works in 1929 and operated by the Great Northern Railway until the late 1950s. They were initially put in passenger service but eventually saw service pulling freight.

Great Northern S-1 class
Type and origin Power type Steam Builder Baldwin Locomotive Works Build date April–May, 1929 Total produced 6
Specifications Configuration: ​  • Whyte 4-8-4  • UIC 2′D2′ h2 Gauge 4 ft 8 ^1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge Driver dia. 73 in (1,854 mm) Wheelbase 94.90 ft (28,926 mm) Adhesive weight 273,700 lb (124,100 kilograms; 124.1 metric tons) Loco weight 472,120 lb (214,150 kilograms; 214.15 metric tons) Tender weight 375,780 lb (170,450 kilograms; 170.45 metric tons) Total weight 847,900 lb (384,600 kilograms; 384.6 metric tons) Tender type Vanderbilt Fuel type Fuel oil Fuel capacity 5,800 US gal (22,000 l; 4,800 imp gal) oil Water cap 22,000 US gal (83,000 l; 18,000 imp gal) Firebox:  • Firegrate area 102 sq ft (9.5 m^2) Boiler 88 in (2,200 mm) Boiler pressure 250 lbf/in^2 (1.72 MPa) Heating surface:  • Firebox 401 sq ft (37.3 m^2) Cylinders Two Cylinder size 28 in × 30 in (711 mm × 762 mm) Valve gear Walschaert
Performance figures Tractive effort 68,466 lbf (304.55 kN) Factor of adh. 4.00
Career Operators Great Northern Class S-1 Numbers 2550–2555 Retired 1956-1958 Disposition All scrapped

History

Design

Initially intended for passenger pulling, the S-1s eventually found their way into pulling freight trains. The S-1 is capable of pulling 18 conventional steel passenger cars westbound and 13 cars eastbound, and 14 cars if the weather is favorable. Should passenger trains exceed such a number of cars eastbound, helper service is added between Walton and Summit. With the help of a pusher, they can pull up to 6,000 tons eastbound.[1] Only one S-1 was fitted with a vestibule cab, No. 2552.[2]

Revenue service

When delivered, they were assigned for passenger service over the Divide between Havre and Whitefish, Montana, then in 1931, they were tested to pull freight between Whitefish, Montana and Hillyard, Washington. The test was a success and the S-1s were assigned to pull freight trains, leaving the passenger runs mainly to the later S-2 Class. The S-1 continued pulling freight until dieselization. Retirement started on April 19, 1956 and by April 1958, all of the S-1s have been retired.[2]

Disposition

No S-1 has survived into preservation today, the first S-1 was scrapped on April 19, 1956 and by 1963, all of the S-1s have been scrapped.[2]

See also

• Great Northern S-2

References

1. "Baldwins on GN". www.gngoat.org.
2. "Great Northern Empire - Then and Now". www.greatnorthernempire.net.

• Keyes, Norman C., Jr.; Middleton, Kenneth R. (Autumn 1980). "The Great Northern Railway Company: All-Time Locomotive Roster, 1861–1970". Railroad History. Boston, Mass.: Railway and Locomotive Historical Society. 143: 114. ISSN 0090-7847. JSTOR 43523930.