I’ve recently acquired the AHM 0-8-0 IHB three cylinder shifter and cannot find in my somewhat limited reference material any data on the prototype. I would like to know the overall length (coupler to coupler) with tender attached, total weight and tractive effort. I found one reference to the tractive effort at 74,400 pounds, but I would like to confirm that from another source. Thanks in advance for any help.
Dick,
First off, [#welcome] to the forum! Good to have you aboard! [:)]
I just bought a copy of Steam Power of the New York Central System - Vol. 1 so this is where I’m getting the info from. Here’s what it has for the class U-4a:
- Built by: American Locomotive Company, February 1927
- Tractive force: 75,700 lbs.
- Booster: 13,800 lbs.
- Cylinders (outside): 23-1/2 x 32"
- Cylinders (inside): 23-1/2 x 28"
- Driver diameter: 57"
- Total Engine Weight: 294,000 lbs.
- Grate Area: 72.5 sq. ft.
- Steam Pressure: 200 lbs.
Ironically, Dick, the class U-4a pictured and described in the book mentioned above is actually Indiana Harbor Belt RR 0-8-0 #102. They don’t mention overall length for some reason but someone should be able to get you that information.
Hope that’s a help…
Tom
P.S. I just received my Proto 2000 NYC U-3 0-8-0 in the mail yesterday. Boy! Is it a nice locomotive locomotive! They regularly run $250.00 MSRP. I was able to pick one up for $90.00. With a Digitrax DH163L0 decoder in her, she really crawls. [:)][tup]
Tom,
Thanks much for the information. The model I have is 102, as you probably already know. Great to have some input. Thanks again and congratulations on your U3, isn’t ebay great?
Here’s some information on the U4-A. It differs slightly from the figures quoted earlier.
http://dhke.com/ihbarchive/ihbsteam.html
A nice photo of a U4 can be found on p.66 of “Indiana Harbor Belt in Color” by Sam Beck and me. It was published by Morning Sun Books.
Bill Gustason
MR published drawings of this locomotive, and there were several articles about detailing it. Try the MR indexes.