Norfolk and Western A class

Norfolk and Western A class
Norfolk & Western No. 1206 at the New York World's Fair on June 17, 1939
Type and origin
Power typeSteam
BuilderN&W's Roanoke Shops
Serial number266–267, 273–280, 332–346, 353–362, 380–387
Build date1936–1950
Total produced43
Specifications
Configuration:
 • Whyte2-6-6-4
 • UIC(1′C)C2′ h4g
Gauge4 ft 8+12 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge
Leading dia.33 in (838 mm)
Driver dia.70 in (1,778 mm)
Trailing dia.42 in (1,067 mm)
WheelbaseLoco & tender: 108.27 ft (33.00 m)
Length121 ft 9+14 in (37.1 m) including tender[1]
Width11 ft (3.35 m)
Height15 ft 10 in (4.83 m)
Axle load72,000 lb (33,000 kilograms; 33 metric tons)
Adhesive weight433,350 lb (196,560 kilograms; 196.56 metric tons)
Loco weight573,000 lb (260,000 kilograms; 260 metric tons)
Tender weight378,600 lb (171,700 kilograms; 171.7 metric tons)
Total weight951,600 lb (431,600 kilograms; 431.6 metric tons)
Fuel typeCoal
Fuel capacity30 short tons (27 t)
Water cap.22,000 US gal (83,000 L; 18,000 imp gal)
Fuel consumption7 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 area122 sq ft (11.3 m2)
Boiler106 in (2,692 mm)
Boiler pressure300 lbf/in2 (2.07 MPa)
Heating surface:
 • Firebox587 sq ft (54.5 m2)
Superheater:
 • TypeType E
 • Heating area2,703 sq ft (251.1 m2)
CylindersFour
Cylinder size24 in × 30 in (610 mm × 762 mm)
Valve gearBaker
Performance figures
Maximum speedOver 70 mph (110 km/h)[1]
Power output5,400 hp (4,030 kW)
Tractive effort114,000 lbf (507.10 kN)[1]
Factor of adh.3.8
Career
OperatorsNorfolk and Western
ClassA
Numbers1200–1242
Retired1958–1959
Preserved(No. 1218)
DispositionOne preserved, remainder scrapped

The Norfolk and Western A was a class of 43 2-6-6-4 simple articulated steam locomotives built by the railroad's own Roanoke Shops between 1936 and 1950 and operated until the late 1950s. The locomotives hauled fast and heavy freight trains for the railroad and only one has been preserved, No. 1218.

  1. ^ a b c "All Aboard - Steam locomotive to power day-long excursions from Greenville". Gaffney Leader. Gaffney, SC. March 20, 1987. p. 7 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon