PRR N2sa

PRR N2sa
Type and origin
Power type Steam
Builder ALCO,
Baldwin
Build date 1919 (rebuilt from 1923)
Total produced 130
Specifications
Configuration 2-10-2
UIC classification 1'E2'
Gauge 4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm)
Leading wheel
diameter		 33 in (0.84 m)
Driver diameter 63 in (1.60 m)
Trailing wheel
diameter		 43 in (1.09 m)
Wheelbase 42 ft 2 in (12.85 m)
Length 55 ft 4 in (16.87 m) without tender
Width 10 ft 8 in (3.25 m)
Height 15 ft 9 in (4.80 m)
Weight on drivers 297,000 lb (135,000 kg)
Locomotive weight 380,700 lb (172,700 kg)
Locomotive and tender
combined weight		 458,100 lb (207,800 kg)
Fuel type Soft coal
Fuel capacity 17 short tons (15 t)
Water capacity 12,000 US gal (45,000 l; 10,000 imp gal)
Boiler pressure 190 psi (1.3 MPa)
Firegrate area 82.2 sq ft (7.64 m2)
Heating surface:
– Tubes and flues		 4,560 sq ft (424 m2)
– Firebox 420 sq ft (39 m2)
– Total 4,980 sq ft (463 m2)
Superheater area 1,222 sq ft (113.5 m2)
Cylinders 2
Cylinder size 30 in × 32 in (760 mm × 810 mm)
Valve gear Walschaerts, Southern
Performance figures
Maximum speed 35 mph (56 km/h)
Tractive effort 74,000 lbf (329.17 kN)
Factor of
adhesion		 4.01

The Pennsylvania Railroad's class N2sa comprised rebuilds to PRR practice of the 130 USRA Heavy Santa Fe steam locomotives the railroad received under the auspices of the United States Railroad Administration, the nationalized central control of the nation's railroads during World War I. These locomotives, as received, were classified N2s. Rebuilds began from 1923 and all locomotives were rebuilt, classified N2sa after the rebuild. They received a Belpaire firebox, the PRR-standard smokebox front, a raised headlight following PRR practice, and the bell moved from smokebox front to boiler top. Brakemen's "doghouse" shacks were built on the rear tender decks.

Their assignments were primarily in PRR Lines West (of Pittsburgh), especially after the introduction of the I1s decapods. Both these and the PRR-designed N1s 2-10-2s were primarily used to haul iron ore from the ports on the Great Lakes and coal towards them, at a slow drag freight maximum speed of 35 miles per hour (56 km/h). The arrival of larger power such as the J1 shifted the N2sa locomotives to more secondary roles.

References