I remember reading that the PRR had a STATIC LOCOMOTIVE TEST STAND at their ALTOONA,PA shops. I think that some tests of the T-1 DUPLEX were done on this machine and they got the engine up to 100 mph for a specified time during those tests. Can anyone direct me to articles and photos of this machine at the ALTOONA SHOPS?
There are some comments at www.steamlocomotive.com
Look under locomotive wheel arrangements for duplex drive, etc.
The PRR Q2 developed 7,987 indicated horsepower at the cylinders when tested on that machine.
No other steam locomotive is known to have matched or exceeded that test result–ever.
I have seen a few photos–but if you start at the above site–it may have links.
John
You are talking about a dynamometer. If you put prr dynamometer altoona into google search, you will come up with a couple references.
Do a Goggle Search on ‘Altoona Test Plant’ - there is quite a bit on information out there on the web…
Jim
Here’s a link with some photos. Hope it helps.
I have a couple of videos that show a Pennsylvania experimental 4-4-4-4 being ran on test rollers for analysis. I believe they are from Herron Rail, and may be part of the “Pennsylvania Glory” series that aired on RFD-TV a few years ago. The narration doesn’t say where the scenes were shot.
The dynamometer was originally built and shown at the 1876 Exposition in Philadelphia. The T 1 was just about the last engine tested on it as the size began to exceed the capability of the machine.
I saw a show on the RFD channel a couple weeks ago about steam engines (really great show) and they had a short piece on testing an engine. It was not particularly in depth, but appeared that the engine was attached to a fixed point and then they opened 'er up. It was the equivelant of power braking a car, and boy did the sparks fly when those drivers were spinning. I’m pretty sure the next stop would have been the shop for a new set of tires.