Oil burning K-1.

[nw-mailing-list at nwhs.org]

Nov 29, 1946, in the middle of another United Mine Workers of America coal strike, N&W iannounced in order to conserve its rapidly dimishing supply of coal and in order to provide patrons with essential train service in case of prolongation of the coal strike it was convertinf some of its locomotives from coal to oil.

The conversion was done at Roanoke shops wit the first locomotive rleased within a few days of the announcement.  The first ones to be converted were the mountain type class K-1 passenger engines which could be used in any type of service.

Railway officials pointed out that the number of locomotives to be converted depended on the length of the strike.  The conversion to oil was simply to prevent the breakdown in rail service.  At the time of the announcement N&W noted it had temporarily discontinued the operation of 13 of its passenger trains.  In addition more than half of its locmotives had been taken out of service and stored.

Dec 3, 1946 the US government curtailed passenger passenger service by 25% on all railroads.  Only essential freight was to be moved to save fuel.  Parcel post packages were limited to 5 lbs at height of Christmas mailing season.

The first oil-burned to ever run on N&W rails pulled into Bluefield the night of Dec 4 with Train No 23.  The converted coal burned carried 4500 gallons of oil in a tank installed in the coal bin of the tender.  The converssion cost about $200.  The K-1 was sent to Bluefield to take the place of a coal burner that normally hauled Train Nos. 9 and 10 between Bluefield and Williamson.

The second oil burner came out of th eRoanoke shops on the afternoon of Dec 5.  The same day N&W announced it was cutting another 12 passenger trains bringing the total to 25 trains not operating.

On Dec 7, 1946 John L Lewis directed the miners to return to work.  The N&W canceld its order to cut the 12 passenger trains.  The other passenger trains were to be re-instated.

Dec 9, 1946 N&W announced that its engines that had been converted to oil would not be reconverted to coal for the time being.  Instedad the engines will be tested on the system to see where they can be best used and than set aside for an emergency.  N&W noted... "In view of our experience this year with the uncertainties of the coal supply and the implied threat of further trouble next spring, the several engines converted to oil burners during the national coal strike will not be reconverted to coal burners at this time."

Alex Schust 
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: nw-mailing-list at nwhs.org 
  To: nw-mailing-list at nwhs.org 
  Sent: Friday, January 13, 2006 9:58 PM
  Subject: Oil burning K-1.


  I came across a reference on the back of an old photo about a K-1 locomotive being converted to burn oil.  The locomotive was No. 107 and the note stated that it is one of two that were converted.  Can anyone shed some light on this?

  Thanks,

  Chuck Stewart.
  Bahama, NC
  Durham District.


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