Steam question regarding the Shenandoah Division

[NW Mailing List]

I have a couple of comments about the use of Class A and J locos on the Shenandoah Division.

"The Class A was timetable rated for "The Valley", while the J's were not."  A 1954 ETT does not list either class in the tonnage rating tables.  Obviously, this was at least partly because neither class was equipped with cab signals, which were in use Roanoke - Hagerstown then.

"Whatever the reason the J's weren't used going north (or south)...."  Class J's did operated south of Roanoke on at least one occasion according to Louie Newton's Rails Remembered, Vol. 3.  The 600 and the 604 double-headed Dwight D. Eisenhower's 18-car campaign train from Winston-Salem to Roanoke on 9/26/52.

Gordon Hamilton

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: NW Mailing List 
  To: NW Mailing List 
  Sent: Sunday, July 06, 2008 9:52 AM
  Subject: Re: Steam question regarding the Shenandoah Division


  "Remember that axle loadings and not just total engine weight plays a part in weight restrictions too.  Don't know how that applies in this particular place, but I'm sure a J is much heavier per axle than a K." 

      The Class A was timetable rated for "The Valley", while the J's were not. I have an idea that clearances on some bridges may have played a part in this. On the 611 excursion in '94, we had a slow order on the bridge over state Rt.43 at Buchanan due to a possible clearance issue.
      Maybe an overall smaller number of cars in the consist may have played a part. I haven't seen any pictures of passenger trains on the Shenandoah line that seemed like it would tax the capabilities of the K classes. Use of a J may have been overkill. 
      Whatever the reason the J's weren't used going north (or south), I would like to know the actual reason

  "Might not be as much a factor with the A though, since the Y's were so weighted with lead. Rollercoaster profile and inability to reach speeds at which an A runs most efficiently could have been factors."

  Rollercoaster profile would be a non-factor. As for inability of Y's inability to reach speeds at which an A runs most efficiently, you'll have to argue with the fast runners of the "Valley" on that one!
  Jimmy Lisle

  PS:
  Too bad hindsight is 20/20. If someone had taken the time to interview the men of steam back then, "Fast Runners of the Shenandoah Valley" would have been one helluva title for a book!  
  JRL
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