The J is/was a great locomotive.
But did the N&W consider building some more A's to pull passenger trains? Did the N&W really need a speed demon?
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How much was an A used to pull passenger trains?
thank you
Dominic Mazoch posted:The J is/was a great locomotive.
But did the N&W consider building some more A's to pull passenger trains? Did the N&W really need a speed demon?
You need to do a LOT more research on the N&W Railway!
The A's initially were used to handle some heavy passenger trains on the Bristol line. They also pulled troop train assignments when needed. I don't know what you mean by "need a speed demon". Heck, they were just built that way!
Huh ????
I would suggest some research on the J's and their designed purpose. That will answer your questions.
N&W Class J posted:I would suggest some research on the J's and their designed purpose. That will answer your questions.
And, look up the Class A while you are there.
Fonzie was an N&W fan especially the 'A'.
Short answer. The Js were needed for two reasons--lots of horsepower for the curves and grades in the mountains, and also to be able to make time on the flatlands. There were several places on the N&W where 100mph passenger train operation was the rule rather than the exception.
The Class K 4-8-2s were having issues with expanding train lengths on the Roanoke to Bristol line--not an easy stretch of railroad, with lots of curves and some fairly steep hills. The Class A could certainly pull passenger, and did so many times, but it's slightly overkill to run a large articulated on a 7-10 car passenger train. Anyways, N&W needed the As for the mixed freight. They needed something in the middle, and thus was born the Class J.
Two engines built for two different purposes.
