Norfolk and Western Class A No. 1218 heading towards the wye in Bellevue, Ohio, with an excursion train on August 16, 1987
Type and origin
Power type
Steam
Builder
Roanoke Shops (East End Shops)
Serial number
340
Build date
June 2, 1943
Rebuild date
1985–1987
Specifications
Configuration:
• Whyte
2-6-6-4
• UIC
(1′C)C2′ h4g
Gauge
4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm)
Leading dia.
33 in (838 mm)
Driver dia.
70 in (1,778 mm)[1]
Trailing dia.
42 in (1,067 mm)
Length
121 ft 9+1⁄4 in (37.1 m) including tender[1]
Width
11 ft 2 in (3.4 m)
Height
16 ft (4.88 m)
Axle load
72,000 lb (32.7 tonnes)
Adhesive weight
433,350 lb (196.6 tonnes)
Loco weight
573,000 lb (259.9 tonnes)
Tender weight
378,600 lb (171.7 tonnes)
Total weight
951,600 lb (431.6 tonnes)[1]
Fuel type
Coal
Fuel capacity
35 t (34.4 long tons; 38.6 short tons)
Water cap.
22,000 US gal (83,000 L; 18,000 imp gal)
Fuel consumption
7 short tons (6.4 t) of coal per hour 13,906 US gal (52,640 L; 11,579 imp gal) of water per hour
Firebox:
• Grate area
122 sq ft (11.3 m2)
Boiler
106 in (2,692 mm)
Boiler pressure
300 lbf/in2 (2.07 MPa)
Heating surface:
• Firebox
587 sq ft (54.5 m2)
• Tubes and flues
6,052 sq ft (562.2 m2)
Superheater:
• Type
Type E
• Heating area
2,703 sq ft (251.1 m2)
Cylinders
Four, simple articulated
Cylinder size
24 in × 30 in (610 mm × 762 mm)
Valve gear
Baker
Valve type
Piston valves
Performance figures
Maximum speed
70+ mph[1]
Power output
5,400 hp (4,000 kW)
Tractive effort
114,000 lbf (507.10 kN)[1]
Factor of adh.
3.8
Career
Operators
Norfolk and Western Railway→Norfolk Southern Railway
Class
A
Number in class
19 of 43
Numbers
1218
Nicknames
"The Mercede of Steam"
Locale
United States, South and Midwest
Retired
July 1959 (revenue service) November 1991 (excursion service)
Preserved
1965
Restored
January 13, 1987
Current owner
Virginia Museum of Transportation
Disposition
On static display
37°16′23″N79°56′50″W / 37.272943°N 79.947231°W / 37.272943; -79.947231Norfolk and Western 1218 is a preserved four-cylinder simple articulated 2-6-6-4 steam locomotive, built in June 1943 by the Norfolk and Western's (N&W) Roanoke (East End) Shops in Roanoke, Virginia as part of the N&W's class "A" fleet of fast freight locomotives. It was retired from regular revenue service in July 1959, and was later restored by Norfolk Southern for excursion service for their steam program, pulling excursions throughout the eastern United States from 1987 to 1991. It is currently on display at the Virginia Museum of Transportation in Roanoke, Virginia.
^ abcde"All Aboard – Steam locomotive to power day-long excursions from Greenville". Gaffney Leader. Gaffney, SC. March 20, 1987. p. 7 – via Newspapers.com.
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