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The Commodore ...NYC leads the way in streamlining

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Posted by Miningman on Friday, March 1, 2019 3:29 PM
 Norman F. Zapf

ZAPF, NORMAN F. (14 July 1911-23 June 1974), a mechanical engineer whose research in streamlining led to the design and construction of streamlined locomotives, was born in Cleveland to Herman R. and Mabel (McNess) Zapf. He entered Case School of Applied Science, studying aerodynamics under Dr. Paul Hemke. As an undergraduate, Zapf used the recirculating-type wind tunnel at Case and scale models of steam locomotives to achieve a practical streamlined design that reduced drag 90-100%. At 75 mph, his version required 350 hp less than the unstreamlined form. The findings were part of his senior thesis, "The Streamlining of a Steam Locomotive." He graduated in 1934 with a B.S. degree in mechanical engineering and took a job with New York Central Lines, but eventually resigned when he failed to procure an engineering position. He returned to Case as a graduate student but soon left to work for a Boston firm that produced hardware for locomotives. In the 1930s, railroads were searching for ways to improve their image while reducing costs in view of competition from airplanes and automobiles. New streamlined diesel-electric locomotives were introduced, but most railroads already had enormous investments in their steam locomotives. Conclusions from Zapf's thesis were used by New York Central Lines in the design for their Commodore Vanderbilt, the company's first streamlined steam locomotive. Zapf served in the Coast Guard during World War II and afterward moved to Florida, where he and his family developed Zapf Groves, Inc.

Zapf married Mildred Anderson in 1935; they had four children: Frederick, Douglas S., Shirley, and Laura. He died in Vero Beach, Florida and was buried there.

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Posted by Overmod on Friday, March 1, 2019 3:29 PM

The things you find when you actually use Google...

https://case.edu/ech/articles/z/zapf-norman-f

Now to see if I can find a link to the actual thesis... stand by

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Posted by Overmod on Friday, March 1, 2019 1:26 PM

Explain THESE ... if you can!

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Posted by Overmod on Friday, March 1, 2019 12:53 PM

Staufer said this design was evaluated and tested at the Case School of Science in Cleveland; it seems strange that Mr. Kantola didn't refer to this at all in his recollections.  Who (Penny, perhaps?) knows this part of the story?

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Posted by Miningman on Friday, March 1, 2019 8:19 AM

Rexall Drug store as seen along Grand Central Station 

Note locomotive on headstone. Very nice nice tribute and remembrance.

  

 

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Posted by Jones1945 on Friday, March 1, 2019 4:12 AM

Hold on! you guys already forgot streamlined train like these? Surprise

http://www.douglas-self.com/MUSEUM/LOCOLOCO/bec/bec.htm

Anyway, Miningman was right that if there wasn't the UP M-10000 and CB&Q Zephyr, streamlining of the steam engine (Steam Engine Streamlining?) might have not become an important thing in the railroading industry. 

I think there is not a single doubt that Henry Dreyfuss benefited the most by the streamlining movement and NYCentral's good taste and the opportunity they given to him. The streamlining of Empire State Express and the 20th Century Limited were timeless, iconic and having an unreplaceable status in the industrial design world.

Raymond Loewy achieved more outside the railroading world, not many works of him in the railroading industry is still being remembered by the general public. But this doesn't change the fact that his works in railroading are fascinating, just probably not as popular at the time. 

 

1938-1945.....

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Posted by Miningman on Thursday, February 28, 2019 7:52 PM

It's charming Penny. Captures the essence.

, Carl Kantola saw UP 10000 and Burlington Zephyr and thought, why should diesel own streamline? We can do it with steam.
 
 
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Posted by Penny Trains on Thursday, February 28, 2019 7:48 PM

Not quite...as grand!  Smile, Wink & Grin

 

Trains, trains, wonderful trains.  The more you get, the more you toot!  Big Smile

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Posted by Miningman on Thursday, February 28, 2019 6:35 PM
1. nyc-5344-1.jpg [Images]
... york central 4-6-4 hudson j1e 5344 collinwood commodore vanderbilt sirman Compression: JPEG (old-style ... ThumbnailOffset: 642 ThumbnailLength: 3608 XMPToolkit: XMP Core 4.4 .0 ...
 
2. nyc-5344-2.jpg [Images]
... 1152 ExifImageHeight: 717 XPKeywords: new york central 4-6-4 hudson j1e 5344 chicago commondore vanderbilt sirman Compression: JPEG (old-style) ThumbnailOffset: 638 ThumbnailLength: 3409 XMPToolkit ...
 
Click on images to enlarge full screen 

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