Soo Line B-4 class

Soo Line B-4 class
Type and origin
Power type Steam
Builder American Locomotive Company
Build date 1915 (6), 1920 (5)
Specifications
Configuration 0-6-0
UIC class C h2
Gauge 4 ft 8 12 in (1,435 mm)
Driver diameter 51 in (1,295 mm)
Wheelbase Loco: 11 ft 6 in (3.51 m)
Length 58 ft 10 38 in (17.94 m)
Width 10 ft 5 in (3.18 m)
Height 15 ft 3 12 in (4.66 m)
Axle load 51,500 lb (23.4 tonnes)
Loco weight 151,000 lb (68.5 tonnes)
Tender weight 102,900 lb (46.7 tonnes)
Fuel type Coal
Fuel capacity 16,000 lb (7.3 tonnes)
Water cap 5,000 US gal (19,000 l; 4,200 imp gal)
Boiler pressure 180 lbf/in2 (1.24 MPa)
Cylinders Two, outside
Cylinder size 20 in × 26 in (508 mm × 660 mm)
Valve gear Walschaerts
Performance figures
Tractive effort 31,200 lbf (138.78 kN)
Career
Operators Minneapolis, St. Paul and Sault Ste. Marie Railway (Soo Line)
Class B-4
Number in class 11
Numbers 344–354
Preserved #346; #353
Disposition Two preserved, of which one is operational

The Soo Line B-4 class were 0-6-0 steam locomotives constructed for the Minneapolis, St. Paul and Sault Ste. Marie Railway (Soo Line) by the American Locomotive Company. Six (#344–349) were built at their Schenectady plant in 1915, with a further five (#350–354) being constructed by their Brooks plant in Dunkirk, New York in 1920.

They were the last, and largest design of purpose-built switch engines that the Soo Line owned, any heavier switching duties were performed by down-graded 2-8-0 freight engines. All were still on the active roster in May 1953,[1] but all had been retired by the end December 1954 when the railroad completed its dieselization.

Two are preserved[2] - #363 from the first batch which is displayed at the Wheels Across the Prairie Museum at Tracy, Minnesota as Dakota, Minnesota and Eastern #9, and #353 from the second batch. which is operational today and gives free rides annually at the Western Minnesota Steam Thresher's Reunion, Rollag, Minnesota.

References

  1. "Soo Line Locomotive Roaster, May 1953". Retrieved 2008-05-29.
  2. "Surviving Soo Line locomotives". Steamlocomotive.com. Retrieved 2008-05-29.
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