4-8-0 475
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 Strasburg Rail Road's former Norfolk & Western #475 |
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| Power type | Steam |
|---|---|
| Builder | Baldwin Locomotive Works |
| Build date | 1906 |
| Configuration | 4-8-0 |
| Gauge | 4 ft 8½ in (1,435 mm) |
| Driver size | 56 in (1.422 m) |
| Boiler pressure | 200 psi (1.38 MPa) |
| Cylinder size | 21×30 in (533×762 mm) |
| Valve gear | Stephenson (inside); later Baker |
| Tractive effort | 40,163 lbf (178.65 kN) |
| Career | Norfolk & Western Railway |
| Class | M |
| Number in class | 125 |
| Preserved | On Strasburg Rail Road |
Strasburg Rail Road #475 is a former Norfolk & Western Railway M class 4-8-0 steam locomotive. It was built by the Baldwin Locomotive Works in 1906 as part of the N&W's first order of class M numbered 450–499. It is the only known 4-8-0 operating in North America.
[edit] Cab Arrangement
Like the W class 2-8-0 Consolidation, there was no cab deck behind the backhead, the fireman shovelled coal from the tender deck and, along with the engineer, sat beside the firebox because the firebox came right to the back of the cab. The throttle lever hung down over the shoulder of the firebox, the reverser lever was in front of the engineer against the side of the firebox, with the water glass just above. The injector controls (A water valve, the overflow valve, and the operating lever.) were in front of him against the outer wall of the cab. Although slightly cramped, visibility to the front was superb..On the fireman's side, there was a water glass, injector controls, and a drop seat arranged like the engineer's.
[edit] Customizing
The Strasburg Rail Road has made several changes to the 475.
- Its current tender is an USRA 10,000 gallon tender modified by the Norfolk & Western for hand firing, which was originally fitted with an automatic stoker designed for a K-2 class 4-8-2 passenger locomotive.
- The left side water leg was trimmed back to give the fireman room to swing his shovel.
- The injectors were relocated from outboard of the No. 4 drivers to aft of them, so they can be operated from controls near the step up to the cab, to the rear of the seats.
- The independent and automatic brake levers have been moved back to be more convenient for backing up operation (Half of its mileage is made backing up.).
- In October 2004, 475 was backdated to its original as-built N&W appearance. It's headlight was relocated to above the center of the smokebox, the tender relettered "Norfolk & Western", and cab letters modified.
