Great Northern S-1

Great Northern S-1 class
Type and origin Power type Steam Builder Baldwin Locomotive Works Serial number 60781–60782, 60807–60810 Model Baldwin 16-50-2⁄4-E, (#1 to #6) Build date April–May, 1929 Total produced 6
Specifications Configuration: ​  • Whyte 4-8-4  • UIC 2′D2′ h2 Gauge 4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge Driver dia. 73 in (1,854 mm) Wheelbase 94.90 ft (28,926 mm) Axle load 67,000 lb (30,000 kilograms; 30 metric tons) Adhesive weight 268,000 lb (122,000 kilograms; 122 metric tons) Loco weight 470,120 lb (213,240 kilograms; 213.24 metric tons) Tender weight 375,780 lb (170,450 kilograms; 170.45 metric tons) Total weight 847,900 lb (384,600 kilograms; 384.6 metric tons) Tender type Vanderbilt Fuel type Fuel oil Fuel capacity 5,800 US gal (22,000 L; 4,800 imp gal) oil Water cap. 22,000 US gal (83,000 L; 18,000 imp gal) Firebox: ​  • Grate area 102 sq ft (9.5 m2) Boiler 98 in (2,500 mm) Boiler pressure 250 lbf/in2 (1.72 MPa) Heating surface: ​  • Firebox 401 sq ft (37.3 m2)  • Total surface tubearea = Cylinders Two Cylinder size 28 in × 30 in (711 mm × 762 mm) Valve gear Walschaert
Performance figures Power output 3,600 hp (2,700 kW) Tractive effort 68,466 lbf (304.55 kN) Factor of adh. 4.00
Career Operators Great Northern Class S-1 Numbers 2550–2555 Retired 1956-1958 Disposition All scrapped

The Great Northern S-1 was a class of 6 4-8-4 Northern type steam locomotives built by the Baldwin Locomotive Works in 1929 and operated by the Great Northern Railway until the late 1950s. They were initially put in passenger service but eventually saw service pulling freight.

History

Design

Initially intended for passenger pulling, the S-1s eventually found their way into pulling freight trains. The S-1 is capable of pulling 18 conventional steel passenger cars westbound and 13 cars eastbound, and 14 cars if the weather is favorable. Should passenger trains exceed such a number of cars eastbound, helper service is added between Walton and Summit. With the help of a pusher, they can pull up to 6,000 tons eastbound. Only one S-1 was fitted with a vestibule cab, No. 2552. Despite their overall success, they had a reputation for being hard on the rails. They were also fitted with roller bearings in the 1940s.

Revenue service

When delivered, they were assigned for passenger service over the Divide between Havre and Whitefish, Montana, then in 1931, they were tested to pull freight between Whitefish, Montana and Hillyard, Washington. The test was a success and the S-1s were reassigned to pull freight trains, leaving the passenger runs mainly to the later S-2 Class of 1930. The S-1 continued pulling freight until dieselization. Retirement started on April 19, 1956 and by April 1958, all of the S-1s have been retired.

Disposition

No S-1 has survived into preservation today, the first S-1 was sold for scrap on April 19, 1956 and by 1963, all of the S-1s have been scrapped.

Roster

Number	Baldwin serial number	Date built	Disposition	Notes
2550	60781	April 1929	Retired December 1957, scrapped 1963.
2551	60782	April 1929	Retired December 1957, scrapped 1963.
2552	60807	May 1929	Retired December 1957, Scrapped 1963.	Received Vestibule cab.
2553	60808	May 1929	Sold for scrap April 19, 1956.
2554	60809	May 1929	Retired December 1957, scrapped 1963.
2555	60810	May 1929	Retired April 1958, scrapped 1963.

See also

• Great Northern S-2

References

• Keyes, Norman C. Jr.; Middleton, Kenneth R. (Autumn 1980). "The Great Northern Railway Company: All-Time Locomotive Roster, 1861–1970". Railroad History. 143 (143). Boston, Mass.: Railway and Locomotive Historical Society: 114. ISSN 0090-7847. JSTOR 43523930.