New York Central Hudson

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New York Central Hudson
Promotional image of a "Dreyfuss" streamlined New York Central Hudson locomotive
Type and origin Power type Steam Builder Alco-Schenectady (ALCO) (265); Lima Locomotive Works (10) Build date 1927–1931 (J-1); 1928–1931 (J-2); 1937–1938 (J-3) Total produced 275
Specifications Configuration: ​  • Whyte 4-6-4  • UIC 2’C2’h2s Gauge 4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge Leading dia. 36 in (914 mm) Driver dia. 79 in (2,007 mm) Trailing dia. 36 in (914 mm) (front) 51 in (1,295 mm) (rear) Wheelbase 83 ft 7+1⁄2 in (25.489 m) Length 97 ft 2+3⁄8 in (29.626 m) Width 10 ft 6 in (3.20 m) Height 15 ft 1 in (4.60 m) Axle load 67,267 lb (30,511.8 kg; 30.5 t) Adhesive weight 201,800 lb (91,534.9 kg; 91.5 t) Loco weight 365,500 lb (165,788.0 kg; 165.8 t) Tender weight 316,400 lb (143,500 kg; 143.5 t) Total weight 681,900 lb (309,300 kg; 309.3 t) Tender type 8-wheel; 12-wheel; 14-wheel Fuel type Coal Fuel capacity 56,000 lb (25,400 kg; 25.40 t) Water cap. 13,600 US gal (51,000 L; 11,300 imp gal) Firebox: ​  • Grate area 82 sq ft (7.6 m2) Boiler 91.5 in (2,324 mm) Boiler pressure 265 lbf/in2 (1.83 MPa) Feedwater heater Elesco bundle; Worthington SA; Coffin Heating surface: ​  • Firebox 360 sq ft (33.4 m2)  • Tubes 657 sq ft (61.0 m2)  • Flues 3,170 sq ft (295 m2)  • Tubes and flues 3,827 sq ft (355.5 m2)  • Total surface 5,572 sq ft (517.7 m2) Superheater: ​  • Heating area 1,745 sq ft (162.1 m2) Cylinders Two Cylinder size 22.5 in × 29 in (572 mm × 737 mm) Valve gear Baker Valve type Piston valves
Performance figures Maximum speed 123.6 mph 198 km/h Tractive effort 41,860 lbf (186.20 kN) Factor of adh. 4.82
Career Operators New York Central Railroad, Boston and Albany Railroad, Toronto, Hamilton and Buffalo Railway, Michigan Central Railroad, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago and St. Louis Railway Class J-1, J-2 and J-3 Number in class 205 (J-1), 20 (J-2), 50 (J-3) Retired 1953 - 1957 Disposition All scrapped by the late 1950s (steam heat car converted from the tender of J-1d 5313 preserved at Steamtown National Historic Site), none preserved

The New York Central Hudson was a popular 4-6-4 "Hudson" type steam locomotive built by the American Locomotive Company (ALCO), Baldwin Locomotive Works^[1] and the Lima Locomotive Works in three series from 1927 to 1938 for the New York Central Railroad. Named after the Hudson River, the 4-6-4 wheel arrangement came to be known as the "Hudson" type in the United States, as these locomotives were the first examples built and used in North America. Built for high-speed passenger train work, the Hudson locomotives were famously known for hauling the New York Central's crack passenger trains, such as the 20th Century Limited and the Empire State Express.

With the onset of diesel locomotives by the mid-20th Century, all Hudson locomotives were retired and subsequently scrapped by 1957, except for the tender from J-1d 5313, which is preserved at the Steamtown National Historic Site in Scranton, Pennsylvania.