CN U-1-a and U-1-b
| Canadian National U-1-a and U-1-b | |
|---|---|
|
CN U-1-a locomotive 6015; On public display at Jasper, Alberta, since July 1972 | |
| Type and origin | |
| Power type | Steam |
| Builder | Canadian Locomotive Company |
| Build date | 1923–1924 |
| Total produced | 37 |
| Specifications | |
| Configuration | 4-8-2 |
| UIC classification | 2′D1′ h2 |
| Gauge | 4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) |
| Leading wheel diameter | 34 1⁄4 in (0.870 m) |
| Driver diameter | 73 in (1.854 m) |
| Trailing wheel diameter | 43 in (1.092 m) |
| Minimum curve | 16° |
| Wheelbase | Loco: 41 ft 9 in (12.73 m) |
| Length | 90 ft 4 1⁄4 in (27.54 m) |
| Width | 10 ft 9 5⁄8 in (3.29 m) |
| Weight on drivers | 233,790–235,390 lb (106.0–106.8 tonnes) |
| Locomotive weight | 355,570–355,570 lb (161.3–161.3 tonnes) |
| Locomotive and tender combined weight | 602,600–603,870 lb (273.3–273.9 tonnes) |
| Fuel type | Coal or Oil |
| Fuel capacity |
Coal: 17–20 long tons (20–20 t) Oil: 4,000–5,000 imp gal (18,200–22,700 l; 4,800–6,000 US gal) |
| Water capacity | 9,500–10,000 imp gal (43,200–45,500 l; 11,400–12,000 US gal) |
| Boiler pressure | 210 lbf/in2 (1.45 MPa) |
| Firegrate area | 66.7 sq ft (6.20 m2) |
| Heating surface: – Tubes and flues | 3,730 sq ft (347 m2) |
| – Firebox | 319 sq ft (29.6 m2) |
| – Total | 4,049 sq ft (376.2 m2) |
| Superheater type | Schmidt |
| Superheater area | 810–1,087 sq ft (75.3–101.0 m2) |
| Cylinders | Two, outside |
| Cylinder size | 26 in × 30 in (0.66 m × 0.76 m) |
| Valve gear | Walschaerts |
| Performance figures | |
| Tractive effort | 49,590 lbf (220.59 kN) |
| Factor of adhesion | 4.71 – 4.74 |
| Train heating | Steam heat |
| Locomotive brake | Independent air |
| Train brakes | Automatic air |
| Career | |
| Operator(s) | Canadian National Railways |
| Power class | 50% |
| Number(s) | 6000–6036 |
| Retired | 1951–1962 |
| References for above:[1] | |
The CN U-1-a and U-1-b class locomotives were two subclasses of thirty-seven 4-8-2 Mountain-type steam locomotives built for the Canadian National Railways between 1923 and 1924. They were retired between 1951 and 1962.
Construction history
| Year | Subclass | Quantity | Manufacturer | Serial nos. | CN Nos. | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1923 | U-1-a | 16 | Canadian Locomotive Company | 1696–1711 | 6000–6015 | |
| 1924 | U-1-b | 21 | Canadian Locomotive Company | 1744–1758, 1764–1769 | 6016–6036 | |
The locomotives were equipped with steam heating and air signal lines for working passenger trains. They were coal fired, although some U-1-a locomotives were later converted to oil firing.
Retirement
The first to be retired was 6004, which was severely damaged a head-on collision with S-2-a 3538 at Canoe River, British Columbia, in November 1950. It was scrapped in June 1951 (as was the 3538). There was a gap of four years before the next U-1-a or U-1-b went: two were scrapped in 1955, four in 1957, six in 1958, six in 1959, eight in 1960, seven in 1961, and the last two, 6000 and 6001 in 1962.[2]
In art
U-1-a 6004 was the subject of a 1924 publicity poster by C. Norwich. It depicts the locomotive speeding along in the foreground, while in the background is a pine-covered, snow-capped mountain peak. Across the top is the "Canadian National Railways" logotype; across the bottom are the words, "Across Canada", and in the lower left, above the artist name and date is "The Continental Limited in the Canadian Rockies"[3]
Preservation
One locomotive has been preserved:
- CN 6015 (U-1-a) — Retired 1960; to CHRA, Delson, Quebec. On public display in Jasper, Alberta, since July 1972.
References
- ↑ "CNR U-1-a and U-1-b locomotive diagram". Canadian National Railways Historical Association. Retrieved 2011-06-13.
- ↑ "Canadian National Railways Steam Locomotive Roster, Mountain Type". Retrieved 2011-06-13.
- ↑ http://www.1st-art-gallery.com/C.-Norwich/Canadian-National-Railways-Poster-1924.html Canadian National Railways Poster 1924
