Y Class, Etc

[NW Mailing List]

Query:  "Again the A class was essentially a Y modded for speed . . ."   The boilers (the most important part of a steam loco, I'm finally beginning to realize) were very different - 5500 HP or so for a Y6 and 7000 HP or so for an A; also very different in design, particularly, the fireboxes.

pete groom 
On Jun 27, 2013, at 7:19 PM, NW Mailing List <nw-mailing-list at nwhs.org> wrote:


> There was purpose behind designs, the Big Boy was meant to tackle Sherman Hill, it has larger drivers for speed not to just get over the grades but out west is a lot of land to cover and get over it as fast as possible.

> 

> N&W had numerous tough grades and perhaps harder curves, speed was not exactly the big handle to get over its grades than to get as much tonnage over as possible, double heading and pushers a common scene on the N&W.

> Again the A class was essentially a Y modded for speed and larger drivers for the not so mountaneous and level routes for speed, but they were put on the plodding Y6 runs as well.

> 

> The railroads had their engines made -their- way for -their- purposes.

> 

> The DM&IR had their yellowstones and were more powerful than the big boys, why...heavy ore trains, which can be far heavier than any coal train.

> 

> -Lynn-



> . . .