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Z-1 Mallet on Northern Pacific

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  • Member since
    April 2005
  • 2,314 posts
Z-1 Mallet on Northern Pacific
Posted by don7 on Friday, August 27, 2010 11:15 PM

I came across a picture of a NP 2-6-6-2 mallet in a book recently and the article indicated that NP ordered a number of these engines from Baldwin and they were used as helpers on some of the steep grades in the Northwest. There were 24 of these engines in the Z and Z1 class.

These engines were reported to be copies of the GNR L-1 mallets. A number of articles indicated that these copies included the belpaire firebox.

The picture of one of the 2-6-6-2 engine #3100 does not show the belpaire firebox, the engine bears a close resemblance to the Mantua 2-6-6-2 engine (with tender) 

  • Member since
    July 2004
  • From: Carmichael, CA
  • 8,055 posts
Posted by twhite on Saturday, August 28, 2010 10:44 AM

Don:

Most photos I've seen of the NP 2-6-6-2's show a Belpaire firebox, as, from what I understand, they were built as part of a GN order that was transferred to the NP.  Evidently, from what I've been able to gather, there were two classifications--Z and Z-1 of these locos.  So I'm wondering if the Z-1's were possibly a slightly later Baldwin order built to actual NP specifications without the Belpaire firebox.  

Perhaps an NP expert will pick up on this thread and let us know.

Tom Smile

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Posted by CAZEPHYR on Saturday, August 28, 2010 11:15 AM

twhite

Don:

Most photos I've seen of the NP 2-6-6-2's show a Belpaire firebox, as, from what I understand, they were built as part of a GN order that was transferred to the NP.  Evidently, from what I've been able to gather, there were two classifications--Z and Z-1 of these locos.  So I'm wondering if the Z-1's were possibly a slightly later Baldwin order built to actual NP specifications without the Belpaire firebox.  

Perhaps an NP expert will pick up on this thread and let us know.

Tom Smile

Tom

I model the NP but mostly the later era's, but my books show the 3100 listed as a Z1 and it has a normal firebox.  The Z classis listed as number 3000 to 3014 with Belpaire firebox illustrated by the 3014.   I would have to believe the Z class had the Belpaire and the Z1 class did not.  The Z1 class was built in 1910 and included 3100 to 3105.   The Z class was built in 1907 and were numbered 3000 to 3015. 

The article does say they were very slow with their fifty five inch drivers and the Z1's served out most of their time with the NP on the Wallace branch.  The Z class were exactly the same as the Great Northern's 1800 series engines.    

As Tom said, we could still use some expert to clarify the use of the small 2-6-6-2 on the NP. 

CZ  

  • Member since
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  • From: Martinez, CA
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Posted by markpierce on Saturday, August 28, 2010 11:56 AM

CAZEPHYR

The article does say they were very slow with their fifty five inch drivers and the Z1's served out most of their time with the NP on the Wallace branch. 

Mallet-type locomotives in general (compound steam, articulated locomotives) had a reputation for being slow.

Mark

  • Member since
    April 2005
  • 2,314 posts
Posted by don7 on Saturday, August 28, 2010 2:12 PM

 Tom, sounds logical.

Found a diagram, NP 3100 is indicated as being on of this class.

http://www.google.ca/imgres?imgurl=http://research.nprha.org/Steam%2520Diagrams/Class%2520Z-1%2520Diagram%25201913.jpg&imgrefurl=http://research.nprha.org/Steam%2520Diagrams/Forms/AllItems.aspx&h=501&w=1000&sz=104&tbnid=6pbXsk764YOTXM:&tbnh=75&tbnw=149&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dnp%2Bz-1%2Bdiagram&zoom=1&usg=__vhYhhOEF--bzTCD_w8Mi1Nc2HgQ=&sa=X&ei=DV95TLLGL4GesQP63qGtBQ&ved=0CB0Q9QEwAA

The particular locomotive is NP # 3100. The book, Steam to Diesel indicates that this engine is a Z-1 and was built in 1910 at a cost of $25,560.  The locomotive had been stored in serviceable condition and was sold in 1940 for $10,000.

 NP converted the engine from coal to oil as part of the sales agreement. The purchaser was Polson Logging. The picture shows the engine at an angle and the distinctive belpaire firebox in not present.

The tender has been painted with "Rayonier"  lettering. 

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