According to Trains MAgazine's encyclopedia of NA locos. The L&N had proposed a 4-8-4 for trains north of Mobile, AL. But diesels were bought instead.
What do you think it would look like if it had been built?
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The BEST 4-8-4 to ever ride on (later) L&N rails were the NC&StL's Dixie class engines designed in Nashville and built by ALCO. Number 576 is currently awaiting restoration. These engines performed dependable WWII service!
I do not know what the track limits were for the line to Mobile. Assuming they could handle it I could see the L&N buying something resembling the ACL's 4-8-4.
Bill N posted:I do not know what the track limits were for the line to Mobile. Assuming they could handle it I could see the L&N buying something resembling the ACL's 4-8-4.
That is more than likely correct. The ACL controlled the L&N from the 1920s, so using an adaption of the R-1 4-8-4 would have been ordered. The RF&P used a similar 4-8-4 as well. Problem was, the R-1 drivers were not balanced correctly, and wore the rail until ACL corrected the problem, and then subsequently scrapped the locomotives for diesels.
The NC&StL Dixie class 4-8-4's would have fit the bill nicely!
I read somewhere that the L&N's "Big Emma" 2-8-4's were the end result of an effort to acquire a 4-8-4 design, but the proposed 4-8-4 could not be handled by the South Louisville Shop due to length. I wish the details of that paper design existed, including boiler and driving wheel size, as that might have provided a clue re intended service, whether passenger only, freight only, or dual service.
My guess is that an L&N 4-8-4 would look like an extended M1 class 2-8-4. As someone said, it would have probably looked very much like an Atlantic Coast Line R-1 4-8-4. Both big Baldwins with a definite family resemblence...
Scott Griggs
Louisville, KY
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