Norfolk and Western 1218

Norfolk and Western 1218
Norfolk and Western No. 1218 heading towards the wye in Bellevue, Ohio, with an excursion train on August 16, 1987
Type and origin Power type Steam Designer John A. Pilcher[1] Builder Roanoke Shops (East End Shops) Serial number 340 Build date June 2, 1943 Rebuild date 1985–1987
Specifications Configuration: ​  • Whyte 2-6-6-4  • UIC (1′C)C2′ h4g Gauge 4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) Leading dia. 33 in (838 mm) Driver dia. 70 in (1,778 mm)[2] Trailing dia. 42 in (1,067 mm) Length 121 ft 9+1⁄4 in (37.1 m) including tender[2] Width 11 ft 2 in (3.4 m) Height 16 ft (4.88 m) Axle load 72,000 lb (32.7 tonnes) Adhesive weight 433,350 lb (196.6 tonnes) Loco weight 573,000 lb (259.9 tonnes) Tender weight 378,600 lb (171.7 tonnes) Total weight 951,600 lb (431.6 tonnes)[2] Fuel type Coal Fuel capacity 35 t (34.4 long tons; 38.6 short tons) Water cap. 22,000 US gal (83,000 L; 18,000 imp gal) Fuel consumption 7 short tons (6.4 t) of coal per hour 13,906 US gal (52,640 L; 11,579 imp gal) of water per hour Firebox: ​  • Grate area 122 sq ft (11.3 m2) Boiler 106 in (2,692 mm) Boiler pressure 300 lbf/in2 (2.07 MPa) Heating surface: ​  • Firebox 587 sq ft (54.5 m2)  • Tubes and flues 6,052 sq ft (562.2 m2) Superheater: ​  • Type Type E  • Heating area 2,703 sq ft (251.1 m2) Cylinders Four, simple articulated Cylinder size 24 in × 30 in (610 mm × 762 mm) Valve gear Baker Valve type Piston valves
Performance figures Maximum speed 70+ mph[2] Power output 5,400 hp (4,000 kW) Tractive effort 114,000 lbf (507.10 kN)[2] Factor of adh. 3.8
Career Operators Norfolk and Western Railway→Norfolk Southern Railway Class A Number in class 19 of 43 Numbers 1218 Nicknames "The Mercede of Steam" Locale United States, South and Midwest Retired July 1959 (revenue service) November 1991 (excursion service) Preserved 1965 Restored January 13, 1987 Current owner Virginia Museum of Transportation Disposition On static display

37°16′23″N 79°56′50″W / 37.272943°N 79.947231°W / 37.272943; -79.947231 Norfolk and Western 1218 is a preserved four-cylinder simple articulated 2-6-6-4 steam locomotive, built in June 1943 by the Norfolk and Western's (N&W) Roanoke (East End) Shops in Roanoke, Virginia as part of the N&W's class "A" fleet of fast freight locomotives. It was retired from regular revenue service in July 1959, and was later restored by Norfolk Southern for excursion service for their steam program, pulling excursions throughout the eastern United States from 1987 to 1991. It is currently on display at the Virginia Museum of Transportation in Roanoke, Virginia.