Hello.
I think it’s a simple question, but I do not know the answer: were the modified (that means at least with the solid pilot plus the larger tenders) engines of the class A ALWAYS black/ graphite? or were they also completely black for a certain time?
Thanks for your help.
I think you may be referring to the A’s that had a jacketed smokebox. The jacketing was painted black in contrast to the graphite applied to others with a bare metal smokebox. Not all of the A’s had this done. Specific numbers exist for about 5 or 6, but there may be others. There’s been a discussion on the NWHS forum regarding this subject for the past several days. I’ll be in Roanoke later this week, so maybe I can get better info.
The A’s had various improvements as an evolutionary process, starting with the solid pilot, rebuilt roll-top or newly designed tenders and reconfigured lettering after WW2. Only the last 5 A’s (1238-1242) were slightly differrent than the others; they had roller bearing rods. A few recordings exist of one of these last A’s (#1239 IIRC) on a time time freight doing mile after mile at 60 and slightly better. Considering the roaring exhaust, it sounds like an entire formation of jets pulling the train rather than a steam loco!!
feltonhill,
have many thanks for you reply. If I understand it right then the all black paint was clearly the minority. But it just looks so much better in my eyes. The reason I ask is ebay auction #190128666194. I am really considering to buy that model. I don’t know if they ever imported one, but I did never see a lagged smokebox version from them - which I would clearly prefer.
Just one more question to you since I know that you are very knowledgeable about anything N&W (and other RRs, too): do you know if only 5 cars for the “Powhatan Arrow” in the mid 50s were the rule or the exception? I have an extremely nice model of it with the matching J class engine of course, but it really looks ridiculous to run the most powerful 4-8-4 with just 5 cars. Was it common that this train had more cars in the 1950s?
Thanks and Regards
Believe it or not, the typical Powhatan Arrow consist was only about 6-7 cars including a round-end obsrvation car. This fell off to 5-6 cars in the mid-50’s. By 1957-58, head-end cars were added, raising the consist to 2 baggage cars, 4-5 coaches and a diner. The observation car was gone by this time. The J’s got their exercise on the 12-14 car Pocahontas, a similar sized Cavalier, and the three Southern RR interline trains which could run 15-17 cars (Bristol to Monroe, VA). Excellent source for N&W passenger train information is the book, Norfolk & Western Passenger Service 1946-1971, by William E. Warden, revised by Kenneth L. Miller (published 2000).
Once again: many thanks for some great info! I will look for that book. Hopefully you will get a bit more info about the A - especially if any of the roller bearing rod equipped engines had a lagged smoke box and therefore would be black.