New York Central 3001
| New York Central 3001 | |
|---|---|
|
On display at its home in Elkhart, Indiana. | |
| Type and origin | |
| Power type | Steam |
| Designer | Paul W. Kiefer |
| Builder | American Locomotive Company |
| Serial number | 69338 |
| Build date | October 1940 |
| Specifications | |
| Configuration | 4-8-2 |
| UIC classification | 2′D1′ h2 |
| Gauge | 4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) |
| Leading wheel diameter | 33 in (838 mm) |
| Driver diameter | 69 in (1,753 mm) |
| Trailing wheel diameter | 44 in (1,118 mm) |
| Wheelbase | 43 ft 11 in (13,386 mm) |
| Height | 14 ft 11.5 in (4,559 mm) |
| Axle load | 26,4440 lbs |
| Weight on drivers | 262,000 lb (118.8 tonnes) |
| Locomotive weight | 338,500 lb (153.5 tonnes) |
| Fuel type | Coal |
| Fuel capacity | 43 Tons |
| Water capacity | 15,500 Gallons |
| Boiler pressure | 250 lbf/in2 (1.72 MPa) |
| Heating surface: – Firebox | 373 sq. ft |
| Cylinders | Two |
| Cylinder size | 25.5 in × 30 in (648 mm × 762 mm) |
| Valve gear | Baker |
| Valve type | Piston valves |
| Performance figures | |
| Maximum speed | 80+ mph |
| Tractive effort | 60,077 lbf (267.24 kN) |
| Factor of adhesion | 4.36 |
| Train heating | Yes |
| Locomotive brake | Air |
| Train brakes | Air |
| Career | |
| Operator(s) | New York Central Railroad |
| Class | L-3a |
| Number in class | 2 |
| Number(s) | 3001 |
| Official name | Mohawk |
| Delivered | October of 1940 |
| First run | October of 1940 |
| Retired | Feb. 14, 1957 |
| Current owner | Lakeshore Railroad Historical Foundation |
| Disposition | On display at National New York Central Railroad Museum |
New York Central Railroad No. 3001 is a preserved 4-8-2 "Mountain" type steam locomotive. New York Central 4-8-2 steam locomotives were not known at "Mountain" types; they were dubbed "Mohawk", named after the Mohawk River, which the New York Central followed.
It's one of two surviving New York Central "Mohawks"; the other, No. 2933, is currently on display at the Museum of Transportation in St. Louis, MO.
History
In the late 1930s, when looking for heavier steam power to move freight and passenger trains swiftly, the New York Central looked at a dual service steam locomotive. The modern 1940 L3a from ALCo was able to move both heavy passenger trains and freights with relative ease. So, the NYC acquired both the L-3 and L-4 classes of Mohawks from the American Locomotive Company and Lima Locomotive Works from 1940 to 1943.
Service Life
New York Central No. 3001 is a member of the class L-3a. Based in Ohio after the NYC dieselized east of Cleveland on August 7, 1953, the mighty Mohawk powered many general freight and passenger trains, such as the 20th Century Limited. Until dieselization of that division in 1949, No. 3001 could often be seen hauling passenger trains on the Boston & Albany. No. 3001 was often used to haul freight trains due to many NYC Hudsons being occupied pulling passenger trains; in later years, diesel-electric locomotives hauled the passenger trains. In the final years of steam on the New York Central, the No. 3001 and other modern Mohawks were demoted to lighter trains, due to Pittsburgh and Lake Erie Railroad (NYC subsidiary) 2-8-4 "Berkshires" and NYC 4-8-4 Niagaras handling increasingly heavier freight and passenger trains on the system. As diesels flooded the NYC, the No. 3001 and its sisters saw the end coming nearer and nearer. No. 3001 was finally retired on February 14, 1957.
Retirement
The New York Central sold L3a No. 3001 to the City of Dallas, Texas in March of 1957, to replace heavily vandalized Texas & Pacific 2-10-4 No. 638 on display at the Texas State Fairgrounds there. The sale to the Texas & Pacific railroad is the reason why No. 3001 was not scrapped in 1957. The city of Dallas, TX donated No. 3001 (disguised as Texas & Pacific No. 909) to the Museum of the American Railroad in Dallas. In May of 1984, after trading Pennsylvania Railroad GG-1 No. 4903 to the Museum of the American Railroad, No. 3001 made its way east to Elkhart, IN after being acquired by the Lakeshore Railroad Historical Foundation.
Today
Today, No. 3001 is on display at the National New York Central Railroad Museum.
See also
PRR M1- This is the Pennsylvania Railroad's version of the Mohawks. Just like the Mohawk, the M1 was a dual service locomotive.