Postcard photo of Southern Pacific No. 4126 cab-forward locomotive, September 6, 1932.
(Unknown, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons)
SP CLASS AC-6 4-8-8-2 CAB-FORWARD LOCOMOTIVE
Southern Pacific Railroad's AC-6 class of steam locomotives was the third of the railroad's classes built with a 4-8-8-2 wheel arrangement. Like the earlier AC-4 and AC-5 classes, the AC-6 class were cab forward locomotives. The AC-6 was slightly larger than the previous classes with a higher boiler pressure and tractive effort rating.
In 1947 and 1948, this class was rebuilt with cast steel frames, increasing the overall weight to 648,000 lb (with 523,600 lb on the drivers). At this time, most of the locomotives in the class were also equipped with larger cab windows that became standard for SP's cab forward locomotives beginning with the AC-8 class. One of those locomotives that had been turned from AC-6 to AC-8 was the number 4146.
This class was removed from active service between 1954 and 1955 and they were all scrapped by March 1956.
Overview
Type and origin
Power type: Steam
Builder: Baldwin Locomotive Works
Serial number: 61353, 61354, 61382-61389, 61416, 61426-61429, 61491-61494, 61535-61538, 61543, 61544
Build date: May–December 1930
Specifications
Configuration: Whyte 4-8-8-2
Gauge: 4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge
Driver diameter: 63 in (1,600 mm)
Adhesive weight: 517,000 lb (235,000 kg; 235 t)
Locomotive weight: 639,500 lb (290,100 kg; 290.1 t)
Boiler pressure: 250 psi (1.7 MPa)
Feedwater heater: 6S Worthington
Cylinder size: 24 in × 34 in (610 mm × 864 mm) (bore × stroke)
Performance figures
Tractive effort: 124,300 lbf (553 kN)
Career
Operators: Southern Pacific Railroad
Class: AC-6
Number in class: 25
Numbers: 4126 – 4150
First run: July 10, 1930
Retired: 1953 – 1955
Disposition: scrapped
