Southbound. This is a K3-R built in 1925 for the Big Four. These engines (4800-4804) were the last 4-6-2 built for the NYC. They were the hot rods of the series. R. L. Stoving wrote in his book, Power Along the Hudson, that they would run 115 mph between South Anderson and Louisville,
Roger, you seem to have an inexhaustible supply of these great old NYC steam photos. I know I appreciate them! :tb-biggrin:
Nice...! What I find interesting is that the Harlem Division ran K-11 and K-14 Pacifics, and your photo is of a K-3. I had always assumed that a K-11 would be a later design and build than a K-3, and a K-14 even later still. Obviously I'm completely turned about since you say the K-3's were last K's built.
This was a K3-R built in 1925 for the Big Four. The Big Four didn't actually become the NYC until later.
OK, that makes sense. Apparently the last Pacifics delivered to the Central were 10 K5b's in 1927, according to http://www.steamlocomotive.com/pacific/nyc.shtml. I assume there is no K3r entry in the list because it was not erected for the Central. It appears that the numbers following the "K" have nothing to do with sequence of erection, but probably more to do with how extensive the changes/modifications were to the basic Pacific design, i.e. minor changes resulted in a different letter following the same number, but major changes resulted in a new number. Hey, it's my story, and I'm sticking to it....:tb-biggrin:
I'm intrigued by the K class, and will check out Staufer's book. I meant to do it earlier but got "sidetracked." The Central had many different K classes.. Back later. :tb-biggrin:
No wonder we have problems with this class. Counting all of the numbers that Drury has in his Guide to North American Locomotives, the Central had 1,037 of the type(s). According to Al (Staufer), it all started with K-1 and K classes in 1903. In 1904 the Big Four and B&A also had some built, and weren't part of the NYC. In 1907, the K-2 class was built for the LS&MS. Pause. From 1911 through 1925 the K-3 class with many sub classes were built. Some had 79 inch drivers, some had 69, some had boosters, Michigan Central's were different from others. At the same time, K-11 class were being built, lighter and with 69 inch drivers. That wasn't the end, though, as the K-5 and K-6 class were built in 1927. K-6 were B&A with 75 inch drivers. Interesting, as the Hudsons started then. I also find references to class K-14, rebuilt from class K-11, and class K-10 (P&LE?). Drury also lists K-4 class, P&LE. Wow, after all that, there was a K-80 class built from 1904 through 1912 for CS and MC. Phew, I'm tired. I'm also PO'd that of 1037 examples, not one exists for us to drool over today. :tb-mad:
The smaller drivers were to give more power for milk trains and other light hot trains. The B&A because of the grades. You will notice the 4-8-2 had 69 in. drivers until the 3100 series. Many of the different things on the B4 locos were used on the K-5 series . LEW
