Norfolk and Western Railway 475

Strasburg Rail Road (ex N&W) 475

Strasburg Rail Road #475 former Norfolk & Western Railway
Type and origin
Power type Steam
Builder Baldwin Locomotive Works
Serial number 28343
Build date 1906
Specifications
Configuration:
  Whyte 4-8-0
  UIC 2′D
Gauge 4 ft 8 12 in (1,435 mm)
Driver dia. 56 in (1.422 m)
Water cap 9,000 Gallons
Tender cap. 14 tons
Boiler pressure 200 psi (1.38 MPa)
Heating surface 2,940 sq ft (273 m2)
Cylinders Two
Cylinder size 21 in × 30 in (533 mm × 762 mm)
Valve gear Stephenson (inside); later Baker
Performance figures
Tractive effort 40,163 lbf (178.65 kN)
Career
Operators Norfolk & Western Railway
Class M
Number in class 101
Retired 1956
Preserved On Strasburg Rail Road
Restored 1993
Disposition Operational, in excursion service based in Strasburg, Pennsylvania.
Strasburg No. 475 pulling a one car freight at Cherry Hill Rd., 2013

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 375-499. It is the only known 4-8-0 operating in North America and it appeared in Thomas and the Magic Railroad.

Cab Arrangement

Like the W class 2-8-0 Consolidation, there was no cab deck behind the backhead, the fireman shoveled 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.

Modifications

The Strasburg Rail Road has made several changes to the 475.

Appearances

This locomotive pulled the Rainbow Sun in the 2000 movie Thomas and the Magic Railroad.[1] UP 844 was also used in the beginning shots of Shining Time as well.

An interview with Strasburg Railroad Chief Mechanical Officer, Linn Moedinger, revealed that the film's producer, Phil Fehrle, called him looking for an American locomotive to use.[2] When Moediger inquired as to what exactly he was looking for, Fehrle told him that the film's director, Britt Allcroft, really liked the locomotives pictured in a book by O. Winston Link, in particular the M-Class locomotives (of which 475 is a member).[2]

During Filming, 475 and three of Strasburg's coaches (of which only two were used) were lettered for the fictional Indian Valley Railroad. 475 even ventured off Strasburg Rails to the Harrisburg Transportation Center.[2] The ferry move to Harrisburg from Leaman Place by Amtrak as well as the filming was unannounced so as not to attract a crowd.[2]

References

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