Re: D&RGW C-19 340-349 tractive effort

Andrew Roth Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Hi,
> I was reading the website below and it lists two
> different tractive effort ratings for some of
> these locomotives.
>
> [www.drgw.org]
>
>
> Was the tractive effort increased to 18,947 lbs
> when they were converted back to narrow gauge (or
> was the the tractive effort in its early years
> and the 17,055 lbs its tractive effort in its
> later years) ?
> Sincerely,
> Andy

Tractive effort would've been increased when the 400's were re-boilered. As-built they would've most likely been delivered with the same 130lbs pressure that most other Baldwins of the time were being built with, meaning something like 15,700 T.E. given 36 inch driving wheels. 145 pounds would've been really unusual with wrought iron boilers. The later class 70's (417-422) ordered in 1886-1887 had 130 pounds boiler pressure and 36 inch drivers as-built, per their spec sheets. These later engines were built with steel boilers and I believe were eventually raised to 145 pounds or therabout while retaining their original boilers.


17,055 corresponds to 145 pounds boiler pressure with 37 inch diameter driving wheels (thicker tires than as-built). 18,819 works out to 160 pounds boiler pressure with the 37 inch drivers as well--obviously a post-rebuild value.