N&W J Test Run on PRR Ft. Wayne Division

[Anonymous]

If I recall correctly, I believe I read somewhere that the Pennsylvania tested a Norfolk and Western J on their Ft. Wayne Division. I was just curious if any of you knew more about this test or if anyone happens to know where I could find some more information on it. I cannot remember the year it took place, but I do remember that the J reached some incredible speeds during the test. Any help is much appreciated.

[Anonymous]

I took the liberty of asking your question on the PRRT&HS forms and got the following replys:

NW testing I'm not sure of the details, but I think it was mentioned in Don Ball Jr's book, "PENNSYLVANIA RAILROAD 1940s-1950s".....

According to the text, I believe it was 'tested' out of Altoona, and 'up-the-Hill'...

Ball it is (although it took a lot of reading to find it) - page 30, Dec 1944, #610 on the Ft. Wayne Division, with larger crossheads than the N&W drawing showed, resulting in smacking the concrete track #30 platform at Chicago's Union Station.

Nothing about Altoona or the hill, though.

S. (Sam) Berliner, III - #5891
[e-mail]

From this I don't think it was to successful of a test.
Hope this helps!

[feltonhill]

I posted this response on thh PRRT&HS forum today, not realizing that it had been asked here. Learn about new forums all the time! So FWIW, here goes.

N&W 610 was tested 12/5/44 through 1/2/45 between Ft. Wayne and Chicago. It made two trips in freight service, then 12 WB runs and 12 EB runs. Test trains ranged from 9 to 16 cars. At the time of the test, the J was set at 275 psi.

The clearance problem was likely due to the Alligator crosssheads installed on 605-610 instead of the multiple guide crossheads on 600-604.

610 had only one problem during the tests when the valve on the left side froze due to a lubrication problem and parts of the valve gear were damaged, specifically, the valve gear connecting rod and eccentric rod were bent, the eccentric crank was loosened and the reverse gear quadrant was damaged. The engine was out of service from 12/10 to 12/18, and resumed testing 12/18. Lore has it that this was the run where 610 was credited with 110 mph or so at the time of the v.g. failure.

Contrary to some accounts PRR had considerable praise for the J. In a PRR memo dated 1/6/45, L. B. Jones, engineer of tests, noted that the locomotive rode smoothly, steamed very well, even on a relatively poor grade of coal, accelerated trains at a high rate, was more powerful than any passenger locomotive on the Ft Wayne Div at low and medium speeds, and was not slippery. He noted that some speeds over 100 mph were reported, and on one trip an average speed of 94 mph was maintained for 45 miles. The only thing PRR did not like was the high piston speed at 100 mph.

[Anonymous]

I just wanted to say thanks for taking the time to post my question on the other forums, I appreciate the information. I had always heard about the running of the J, but I never knew the specifics. Thanks Again.