Re: C-19's on the C&S

In comparing the C&S B-4-E engines with the C-19's, not only the main rod connected to a different driver, the B-4-E engines were 6000# heavier, and therefore exerted 1000# more tractive effort.

In addition, the B-4-E engines had flanges on all drivers, while the C-19's had blind center drivers. Flanges provide additional contact area as they contact the inside of the rail on the outside of curves, while blind drivers only contact the top. It is known that the C-19s were derailment prone also while on the C&S and that the C&S shops turned a "1/2 flange ?" on to the center driver tires of the 346 after the 1936 wreck.

It is also possible that the C&S and D&RGW used a different rail head profile, and that the C-19's were worn to the D&RGW rail contour, especially the light rail used west and north of Gunnison where they primarily worked in the 1930's. This would also make a great difference in how the engines gripped the rails.