Hi [:)]
I believe I read someplace that Great Northern had a least one 2-6-6-2 (challenger?) and was wondering if anyone else has information along these lines? Thanks
Have a good day.
Lee
A 2-6-6-2 is not a Challenger. The GN did have a fleet of 2-6-6-2 engines. They also did have a pair of ex-SP&S Challengers(4-6-6-4) for several years before selling them back to the SP&S. The original 6 SP&S Challengers were copies of NP Z-6 engines and were purchased in 1937. Here is some comments from the man who wrote the SP&S book:
The Great Northern purchase of the Z-6’s has been the source of much comment and speculation. I have gone through the NP and GN files at the Minnesota Historical Society regarding these engines and my understanding is as follows:
The exchange of these engines was due to the SP&S-GN hauling contract for the latter’s California business. Under this contract the SP&S did not receive a percentage of a through rate, but rather a fixed amount for the movement of each car. The GN was also required to pay the SP&S rental for the power and cabooses needed to move these contract cars. There was a further provision, however, that allowed the GN to provide their own locomotives to the SP&S and thus dispense with the locomotive rental. The number of locomotives to be furnished was based on the percentage of contract car miles on the SP&S and Oregon Trunk.
The number of Z-6’s purchased was based on the requirements necessary for handling both the SP&S traffic and the GN’s California business. The GN later sought to do away with the rental of SP&S Z-6’s by providing their own articulateds. The NP, however, objected to this saying that the older GN R-1s and N-2s were not equivalent to a modern Z-6. Thus it was agreed on Oct. 20, 1939 that th
Jim
Great stuff [tup] Thanks. My focus was on the 2-6-6-2. I have been acquiring mostly GN equipment and because of the 2-6-6-2 arrangement thought it might make it around a couple of curves on my track that are close to 19" radius. Its not feasible to replace these curves, because too much would have to be torn up ($$$). (If I knew then what I know now [%-)]) My long range plans include layout extensions with larger curves.
Appreciate the help.
Lee
According to “The Great Northern Railway: A Pictorial History” by Charles and Dorothy Wood, GN’s L-class 2-6-6-2’s were the second Mallets built in the US, a couple years after B&O’s 0-6-6-0’s of 1904. They served in the Cascades and Rocky Mountains.
Northen Pacific was impressed enough to buy identical engines in 1907 to work the Cascades - even having BN’s typical Belpaire (square) fireboxes!!
Mantua makes their 2-6-6-2 decorated for GN, but it’s boiler is too small. You could probably get close by using a Mantua body for say a 2-8-2 on the 2-6-6-2 mechanism, but you’d still have to figure out a way to add the Belpaire firebox.
BTW some of the 2-6-6-2’s were later rebuilt by GN into 2-8-2’s.
Yep’ Great Northern L1s were the first 2-6-6-2 to be used in the Cascades as helpers.
Sorry to say the only ones available are extremely high priced brass models Imported from Japan by Pacific Fast Mail back in the mid-late 60s While really quite beautiful models their price range in the $2000-$3000 range puts them outside all but the most extreme collectors pocketbooks.
According to my Great Northern Lines West, by 1908, Great Northern owned 22 of the Baldwin built
2-6-6-2 Mallets. They were rated at 1600 tons on a 1% grade.
Don Z.
Only nearly 200 were imported in the late 1970s and '80s. MSRP back then was $995, so they were always very expensive. Rare for the period, these came painted, and were labeled “crown” models. The current $2,250 value has hardly kept up with inflation.
Mark