Miscounted drive wheels

Posted this to the gallery over the weekend, mistakenly as a 4-8-2 Mountain. As I re-read my MR this morning, I realized the Bachman Santa Fe was a dead ringer for this loco. My grandfather took the photo, probably in the late teens or early twenties near Norfolk, VA.

I suspect it is a Mountain type - See the ‘Southern’ lettering on the cab? IIRC, they did not have any 4-8-4 types…

Jim

Does look like a 2-10-2 in the picture. I believe Southern did have some USRA light “Santa Fes”.

Its a mountain 4-8-2. If it was a 4-10-2 then the last set of drivers would be in the ash pan. You can make out a 2 wheeled trailing truck on the other side of the freight wagon.

Pete

Research fellas research…Southern 5039 was a 2-10-2.

Sorry, Pete. It’s a 2-10-2. The main driver is the third driver. The first driver is behind the crosshead guides and valve rodding. Look at the side rod connected forward from the crankpin on the second driver.

I’ll admit that it’s hard to tell that the second axle is a drive axle, not a pilot axle - but it is.

Chuck (Modeling Central Japan in September, 1964)

Yup it’s a 2-10-2, not a 4-8-2 (or 4-10-2). If it was a 4-8-2 it would have unusually small drivers!!

If you look at this pic of a model Southern 2-10-2 (although it’s of the other side of the engine) you can see it all lines up pretty well to the prototype picture.

http://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/products/images/uploads/83802.jpg

The Southern 5039, looks like a 4-10-4, but there’s no listing of this wheel arrangement, unless?!!!

Probably a 2-10-4.

Ralph

That’s a 2-wheel Cole(?) trailing truck behind the baggage cart. As for 4-10-4, never heard of one on a US Class 1.

Stix, I noticed the low drivers but failed to comment on them.

Chuck (Modeling Central Japan in September, 1964)

tomikawaTT,

Thank you for the correct wheel arrangement.

The cab is long, that’s why it seems to be a four wheel trailing truck.

Ralph

Also because of the angle and the camera lens, it kinda distorts things a little making the engine look different than it would look in a “broadside” shot.

Stix,

Thank you,

Ralph

Correct, CB&Q.

R.E. Prince’s book Southern Railway System Steam Locomotives and Boats (c. 1970) reveals that #5039 is a 2-10-2, Class Ss, built new for the Southern by Baldwin in 1917 as construction #46352, and retired in March of 1950. These superheated locomotives had 57" drivers, 200 lbs of steam pressure, 27" x 32" cylinders, and a tractive effort of 69,400.

Bill

I stand corrected.

Pete

Thank you Bill,

I am now, properly informed.

Ralph