Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1905-12-04
Modern Freight Locomotives.

The Baltimore & Ohio railroad is
receiving, at the rate or two per
day, the first Of the lot of 210 new con-
solidation freight locomotives, 76 of
which are being built at the Rich
mond, and 140 at the Schenectady
works of the American Locomotive
company. This order was placed the
latter part Of last April, in connection
with an order for 357 passenger loco
motives and five switching engines
and 10000 freight cars at an aggregate
cost of $14,0O0,000. The locomotives
are of the general design, suitable
for the economical handling of heavy
tonnage at fast or slow speeds over
level and mountainous, open and tun-
nelled railroad of varying curvature
and gradient. The points considered
in the design and construction 1nclud-
ed a reasonable first cost; maximum
efficiency for the service; within the
ments; the greatest proportion of adj
hesive to total weight; a capacity to
handle the heaviest gross tonnage
practicable at the highest desired
speed; economy as regards mainten-
ance and fuel and water consump-
ton; a substantial construction of
the least number of parts, and a ca
pacity to perform continuous service
without liability to failure.
The construction of the first or
w
was put into service during last
August, was carried on in advance Of
the regular order, to give an oppor-
tunity for discussion and practical
demonstration of the design and con-
struction, the result Of which might
lead to decisions that would affect the
balance of the locomotives. This was
arranged for by J. e. Muhlfeld, gen
eral superintendent or mouIve power
of the Baltimore e Ohio. The motive
power department appointed three
committees, one consisting of the SUI
perintendent of motive power, mechan-
ical engineer, and engineer of tests
and shop master mechanics; another
of the divisional master mechanics,
and the third of the road TOremen,
each selecting one locomotive en-
gineer and fireman from each divi-
sion. After the arrival of the sample
locomotive at Baltimore certain parts
were dissembled and the members OF
these committees were given every
opportunity to make an examination
of the details in the general design
and construction. The locomotive
was then connected and put under
steam, so that the members OF the
committees could have an opportunity
to observe as to it's operation, haul
ing capaciy and steaming and riding
qualities. The committees submit
ted reports after their Investigations,
giving their criticism and recommen-
dations and reasons for changes sug-
gested. These reports contained val
liable suggestions which, coming from
those who will be in direct charge OF
locomotives over level and mountain
Gus divisions, have been of consider
able benefit in producing design that
the motive power department feels
will give the most satisfactory general
results. 1t is believed that this
method of producing motive power
equipment by combination of draw
ing, office and practical knowledge OF
locomotive design, will result to the
best advantage.
The consolidation types OF lecomo-
tives will weigh 208,000 pounds in
working order; will have about 60
inch driver wheels; 22-inch diameter
by 3O-inch stroke cylinders, 205 pounds
working steam pressure; radial stay
ed design of boiler and tenders that
have a capacity for fourteen tons OF
coal and 1000 gallons of water. These
locomotives will have tractive power
of about $1,000 pounds and will be cap
able of hauling fast and heavy ton
mage over the level and mountainous
divisions. The delivery Of these loco
motives is expected to be completed
by early in February.