Atlantic Coast Line 4-4-2 were express passenger tender locomotives built by Baldwin Locomotive Works (at that time known as Burnham, Williams & Co), initially for the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad as classes I/I-2 and I-3. They were the first design in the world to exploit the larger boiler and firebox possible with a 4-4-2 design compared to the classic 4-4-0.

Atlantic Coast Line 4-4-2
Atlantic Coast Line 4-4-2 No. 153
Type and origin Power type Steam Builder Baldwin Locomotive Works Total produced 14
Specifications Configuration: ​  • Whyte 4-4-2
Career Operators Atlantic Coast Line Nicknames Atlantic Type Disposition All scrapped
[1]

Design and build

The advantages of the 4-4-2 design included a large boiler and a firebox of "desirable form" with "ample depth and width" which could be fitted over the rear frames,[2] and this design for the first to exploit those features.[1] There were also claimed of improved riding compared to some other types.[2] The design specification called for the ability to haul a ten-coach train up a 32 foot grade (1% or 1 in 165) at 40 mph (64 km/h).[1]

The initial batch of five were constructed in 1894/5.[1] Further members classified as Class I/I-2 were built and the final two classified class I-3 were constructed in 1900.[1]

History

The class was introduced to the constituent companies operating the ACL brand from 1894-1895.[2]

Legacy

The adoption of the name Atlantic for the class and subsequently the 4-4-2 wheelbase arrangement itself derives from name of the railroad they were supplied to.[2] The advantages of the "Atlantic" type led to several other designs around the start of the twentieth century adopting the 4-4-2 wheelbase for express passenger work including the Milwaukee Road class A2, Pennsylvania Railroad class E1, as well as several railroads abroad for example the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway Class 7 in the United Kingdom. Later in the Twentieth century preference moved to 4-6-0 for ten-wheeler locomotives despite the consequent difficulties in achieving an effective firebox design.

References

Footnotes

Sources

• History of the Baldwin Locomotive Works 1831—1920. Philadelphia: Baldwin Locomotive Works. 1920. OCLC 1045993083.
• Llanso, Steve (2021). "Atlantic Coast Line 4-4-2 "Atlantic" Locomotives in the USA". SteamLocomotive.com. Retrieved 17 March 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)