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User:Grefox/GN boxcab (3 phase)

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A boxcab at Wellington (west side of the original Cascade Tunnel)
Great Northern Boxcab
Type and origin
Power typeElectric
BuilderALCO carbody GE electrical
Build date1909
Total produced4
Specifications
Configuration:
 • Whyte4-4
 • AARB+B
 • UIC(Bo′Bo′)
Gauge4 ft 8+12 in (1,435 mm)
Length44 ft (13 m)
Adhesive weight230,000 lb (100 t)
Loco weight230,000 lb (100 t)
Electric system/s6.6 kV, 25 Hz AC Three-phase
Current pickup(s)Trolley Pole
Train heatingNone
Loco brakeAir/Regenerative
Train brakesAir
Performance figures
Tractive effort80,000 lbf (360 kN)
Career
OperatorsGreat Northern Railway
ClassBoxcab
Number in class4
Delivered1909
Retired1927
Preservednone
Scrapped?

The Great Northern Railway's boxcab electrics comprised of four electric locomotives with AAR B+B wheel arrangements. The locomotives were used on the 2.5-mile (4.0 km) original Cascade Tunnel near Stevens Pass in the Cascade Mountain range.

The locomotive carbodies were built by ALCO, and the electrical equipment was supplied by General Electric. These four locomotives represent the only three-phase AC locomotives ever used in North America.

In 1925 construction on the current Cascade Tunnel began. The Great Northern would adopt a two-phase system for their electrification expansion. The new system was installed from Skyhomish, Washington to Wenatchee, Washington. In 1927 the boxcabs were replaced by the Z-1 class electrics. The new Cascade Tunnel opened in 1929 eliminating 9 miles from the mainline, including the original 2.5 mile tunnel.

References

[edit]

Book: Middleton, William D. When the Steam Railroads Electrified. Milwaukee, Wisconsin: Kalmbach Books, 1974

  • "Great Northern Empire - Then and Now". 2005. Retrieved 2009-03-29.

Category:Great Northern Railway (United States) locomotives Category:General Electric locomotives Category:B+B Locomotives Category:Electric locomotives of the United States