New Haven R-1 4-8-2 No. 3306 (one of the original USRA Light Mountains) waits in Stearns Siding, CN just north of Tower S.S.199 to head north on the Pittsfield Line with a "foldboat" special for Kent, CN on Sunday, May 23, 1937. Two baggage cars, two coaches, a diner, and at least three more coaches are an impressive consist indeed. - Steve Allen
(\https://www.pinterest.com/allens1017/, Fair use, Title 17, Section 107)
USRA LIGHT MOUNTAIN
The USRA Light Mountain was a USRA standard class of steam locomotive designed under the control of the United States Railroad Administration, the nationalized railroad system in the United States during World War I. This was the standard light freight locomotive of the USRA types, and was of 4-8-2 wheel arrangement in the Whyte notation, or 2′D1′ in UIC classification.
A total of 47 locomotives were built under the auspices of the USRA.
The 4-8-2 Wheel Arrangement. Front of locomotive on left.
(Gwernol, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons)
Original owners
USRA originals
| Raillroad | Quantity | Class | Road Numbers | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Missouri Pacific Railroad | 7 | MT-69 | 5301–5307 | Built 1919 by ALCO. All scrapped, 1943-1947. |
| Nashville, Chattanooga and St. Louis Railway | 5 | J1-54 | 550–554 | Built 1919 by ALCO-Richmond. All scrapped, 1945-1949. |
| New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad | 10 | R-1 | 3300–3309 | Built 1919 by ALCO-Schenectady. All scrapped, 1949-1951. |
| Southern Railway | 25 | Ts-1 | 1475–1499 | Built 1919 by ALCO. Three to AGS 6692–6694, five to CNOTP 6495–6499. All scrapped, 1950-1955. |
| Total | 47 |
Copies
| Railroad | Qouantity | Class | Road Numbers | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Louisville and Nashville Railroad | 22 | L-1 | 400–421 | Built 1926-1930 by Baldwin . All Scrapped 1953-1957 |
| Nashville, Chattanooga and St. Louis Railway | 8 | J1-54 | 555–562 | Built 1922 by Baldwin. All scrapped, 1955-1956. |
| New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad | 30 | R-1-a | 3310–3339 | Built 1919 by ALCO. All scrapped, 1943-1958. |
| New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad | 9 | R-1-b | 3304–3348 | Built 1918-1919 by ALCO. All scrapped, 1943-1945. |
| New York, Ontario and Western Railway | ||||
| Minneapolis, St. Paul and Sault Ste. Marie Railroad (Soo Line) | 21 | N-20 | 4000–4020 | Built 1926-1930 by ALCO and Soo Line. All scrapped, 1944-1959. |
| Total | 90 |
None of the originals built by the USRA or any of the subsequent copies were preserved, being scrapped from 1943 to 1959.
Overview USRA Light Mountain
Type and origin
Power type: Steam
Builders: American Locomotive Company, Baldwin Locomotive Works
Build dates: 1918-1930
Total produced: 47 (90 plus copies)
Specifications
Configuration:
• Whyte 4-8-2
• UIC 2′D1′ h2
Gauge: 4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm)
Driver diameter: 69 in (1,753 mm)
Wheelbase Coupled: 18 ft 3 in (5.56 m)
Wheelbase Locomotive: 40 ft 0 in (12.19 m)
Wheelbase Loco & tender: 75 ft 8+1⁄2 in (23.08 m)
Axle load: 55,000 lb (24,900 kg)
Adhesive weight: 220,000 lb (99,800 kg)
Locomotive weight: 320,000 lb (145,100 kg)
Tender weight: 172,000 lb (78,000 kg)
Total weight: 492,000 lb (223,200 kg)
Fuel type: Coal
Fuel capacity: 32,000 lb (14,500 kg)
Water capacity: 10,000 US gal (37,900 L; 8,300 imp gal)
Firebox:
• Grate area: 70.8 sq ft (6.58 m2)
Boiler pressure: 200 psi (1.38 MPa)
Heating surface: 4,130 sq ft (384 m2)
• Tubes: 2,598 sq ft (241.4 m2)
• Flues: 1,176 sq ft (109.3 m2)
• Firebox: 329 sq ft (30.6 m2)
Superheater:
• Heating area: 957 sq ft (88.9 m2)
Cylinders: Two
Cylinder size: 27 in × 30 in (686 mm × 762 mm)
Valve gear: Baker, then Walschaerts
Valve type: 14-inch (356 mm) piston valves
Performance figures
Tractive effort: 53,900 lbf (239.76 kN)
Factor of adhesion: 4.1
Career
Scrapped: 1943-1959
Disposition: All scrapped