Static Loco on Display - 3
4a
locomotive an unusual sound, causing the listener to think that
it was running faster than it actually was.
The wheel arrangement meant that the massive weight of the
engine was on the eight driving wheels. The small diameter
of the wheels limited the speed, but that was acceptable in
freight service. The feed-water heater tank in front gave this
class a distinctive look.
The three cylinder and booster configuration packed a lot of
power into a relativity short, maneuverable locomotive. It was
claimed that one engine could move a 6000-ton train up a 2.2%
grade at a steady two miles per hour. This was a normal task
in the IHB hump yards of the 1930’s. The compact design did
make maintenance and repair difficult. Sadly, all three of these
engines were scraped in the early 1950’s.
MRH-Sep 2013
