I saw a phto recently of an Unstreamlined Norfolk and Western J-class Northern.
When did these locomotive loose their streamilining guard?
The N&W actually built some of the steamers in their shops without streamlining. Why, I have not a clue. I know the streamlined began at 611, and I know of a 612, but no others. I know I have something on the N&W, and I will check.
The small batch of Class Js built during WW2 didn’t have streamlining, as they officially were freight engines. After the war N&W added the streamlining. During the time that they lacked the shrouding they were officially classed as J1s. Remember during the war railroads could not buy passenger power.
Js 600-604 were built with streamlining in 1941-42.
J1s 605-610 were built in 1943 without streamlining due to War Production Board restrictions on passenger locomotive construction. They were called freight locomotives. Mechanically, they were identical to the Js except for the use of Alligator crossheads instead of multiple-bearing, and larger side rods because the alloys weren’t available to make the side rods like those of the Js. They were rebuilt with J-style streamlining and side rods after WWII and were reclassified as J.
The 611-613 were built in 1950 and were mechanical duplicates of the rebuilt 605-610 except for a different design of tender truck.
Old Timer
Were the N&W J locomotives of 1950 the very last steam passenger locomotives built in the USA? I think Lima or American built some 2-8-4’s for the P&LE later, but they were freight locomotives, I think the very last ones built.