N.Y.C. PT-1 TENDER!

In New York Central speak, the "PT" designation stood for "Passenger Tender". That simple.

Pedestal Tender?

mark s posted:

Pedestal Tender?

No.

No?

From Richard Leonards NYC Steam Locomotive archive :  http://www.railarchive.net/rlsteam/nyc.htm

"On a visit to the Englewood terminal in Chicago in July 1954, I photographed Niagara No. 6003. These engines featured a 14-wheel "pedestal" (PT) or "centipede" style tender which carried 18,000 gallons of water and 46 tons of coal. Like other high-speed New York Central steam power, the Niagaras were equipped to scoop water on-the-fly from long pans set within the rails."

From Steam Locomotive .com :  http://www.steamlocomotive.com/tenders/

"The centipede tender was introduced in the late 1930s. What gives this style of tender its name is the number of wheels it uses. A centipede tender is rigidly mounted to five axles (ten wheels) which are allowed to move laterally. There is also a four-wheel leading truck that is able to swivel, for a grand total of 14 wheels."

"This tender is also sometimes referred to as a "pedestal" tender because of the shape of the frame holding the container -- slightly smaller at the bottom which had a "pedestal" frame supported by the five rigid axles. The actual shape of the tank was semi-cylindrical. This design takes advantage of both rectangular and cylindrical tank shapes, with a rounded top and bottom of the tank sides maximizing strength and reducing materials and weight."

RICKO,

Please refer to the most authoritative source when discussing NYC steam power, i.e. the New York Central System Historical, Inc.

In the article, "The Making of a Legend - The Niagara Story" published in the Central Headlight, 3rd Qtr. 1988, issue, I quote:

"There has been some dispute as to the meaning of the 'PT'. The New York Central 'Interpretation of Locomotive and Tender Classification', included in the 1946 'Locomotive Classification Book' defines 'PT' as 'Passenger Tender', and may be regarded as the authoritative source. However other sources have indicated that it refers to 'Pedistal Tender', after the one piece pedestal bed from which it was constructed. Further supporting the 'Passenger Tender' definition is the classification book reference to the Class A2a Berkshire tender as 'FT-1', for 'Freight Tender'.  Railroaders theme selves often referred to these tenders as 'Centipede Tenders'. ".

I thus stand by my original statement of, "in New York Central speak", the "PT" stands for "Passenger Tender"!

Yes. Official NYC = "Passenger Tender" (I think that "type" would make more sense; otherwise "PT tender" means, essentially, a "passenger tender tender"), so far as I know. "Pedestal type" is also correct generically (the UP had them, for example), but is not the NYC term. Centipede is likewise correct, generically. I do not know what the UP, NP or others called them, if anything in particular (except maybe "big a**" tenders). These other road's tenders of that type were not the same designs, just the same general idea.  

I know nothing about such matters, but FWIW ....

The NYC Historical Society's "Research Resources' "  

PT Tenders PDF states .....

Lastly, a word about the "PT" designation. Many persons assume incorrectly that it is the abbreviation for "pedestal tender". The 111146 classification book had the following to say: "Bed type tenders are the only tenders having a tender classification. These tenders are classified as 'PT' with a number following the class letter. 'PT' tenders are designed for passenger service and the classification 'PT' indicates passenger tender. The figure following the class letters indicate differences."

Matt

Thank you all for your information.

Now, I have better knowledge of these types of tenders.

Ralph. 

RJL posted:

Thank you all for your information.

Now, I have better knowledge of these types of tenders.

Ralph. 

You are certainly more than welcome. It is always best to check specific railroad Historical Societies for technical information, instead of unsubstantiated "on line" sights of uninformed book authors.