posted
In December 1938, General Electric built a pair of 2,500 horsepower, high-pressure (1,500 psi boiler pressure) high-speed (125 mph on level track), oil-burning steam turbine locomotives for the Union Pacific. These machines were the only condensing steam locomotives built and operated in the U.S. In April 1939, the Union Pacific took delivery of the two General Electric-built locomotives. The wheel arrangement of these two locomotives was 2-C+C-2. This pair of locomotives were an attempt by General Electric to compete with General Motors’ (EMD’s) passenger diesels. The unsatisfactory locomotives were returned to General Electric in June 1939, following only two months of use. They saw extensive service on the Great Northern Railway during a motive power shortage in 1943. They were returned to General Electric and retired late 1943. The specifications of the UP turbines are: Steam conditions: 1500 lb per sq. in, @ 920º Boiler: Water-tube with forced circulation Fuel: Bunker C fuel oil Turbine: Two-stage cross-compound, 12,500 rpm Generators: Two DC 12-pole variable-voltage, 1200rpm Traction motors: Six, air-cooled.
What I don't have, neither does George Drury's book is a class designation (if any), road numbers (not visible in any photo I've seen), or builder's s/n.
------------------ Hank Morris, consulting editor National Railway Bulletin (NRHS)
Posts: 25 | From: Chicago, Illinois, United States | Registered: Sep 2002
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posted
You raise a couple of interesting questions regarding these early UP turbines. I'd like to know where the UP ran them.
In addition, were there any electrical or mechanical similariities between these turbines and the ones dveloped in the earliy fifties for the N & W and the C & O? I know that the east coast turbines used coal vs. Bunker C, but how similar were they, if at all, to the these early UP turbines?
Posts: 37 | From: Orange, CA | Registered: Nov 2002
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Here's what I've learned. I'm hoping to add to this. (BTW--C&O's three (500-502) were closer to N&W's (2600) Jawn Henry. Steam turbines, albeit unsuccessful, were the precursor to gas turbines which did well on UP. They led to Bombadier's "latest and greatest," just previewed. Then there's the PRR's S2 (only one built). In December 1938, General Electric built a pair of 2,500 horsepower, high-pressure (1,500 psi boiler pressure) high-speed (125 mph on level track), oil-burning steam turbine locomotives for the Union Pacific. Road numbers were 1 and 2 (builders numbers 12136 and 12137). These machines were the only condensing steam locomotives built and operated in the U.S. In April 1939, the Union Pacific took delivery of the two General Electric-built locomotives. The wheel arrangement of these two locomotives was 2-C+C-2. This pair of locomotives was an attempt by General Electric to compete with General Motors’ (EMD’s) passenger diesels. The unsatisfactory locomotives were returned to General Electric on June 17, 1939 , following only two months of use. They saw extensive service on the Great Northern Railway during a motive power shortage in 1943. They were returned by GN to General Electric and retired late 1943. The specifications of the UP turbines were : Steam conditions: 1,500 lb per sq. in, @ 920º Cold firing time: 15 min. from room temp to 920° Boiler: 50 gal, water-tube with forced circulation Fuel: Bunker C fuel oil Turbine: Two-stage cross-compound, 12,500 rpm Generators: Two DC 12-pole variable-voltage, 1200rpm Traction motors: Six, air-cooled. Length: 90 ft. 10 in. Brakes: Air, electrically assisted (early dynamic brakes) Photo at: http://donross.railspot.com/dr068.htm ------------------ Hank Morris, consulting editor National Railway Bulletin (NRHS)
[This message has been edited by hankmorris (edited 11-10-2002).]
Posts: 25 | From: Chicago, Illinois, United States | Registered: Sep 2002
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