Virginian PA locomotive speed

Sat Feb 8 14:05:40 EST 2020

I appreciate your insightful comments.  While I can easily appreciate the
J’s attributes, I am quick to remember that whenever it is compared with
other steam locomotives, it clearly shows the benefits from a full ten
years of further development and tweaking.  Under these circumstances how
could it not shine the brightest?!

Patrick Whalen
Radnor, PA

On Sat, Feb 8, 2020 at 1:09 PM Patrick Whalen <pfwhalen at gmail.com> wrote:

> I appreciate your insightful comments.  While I also appreciate the J’s
> attributes, I am quick to remember that whenever it is compared with other
> steam locomotives, it clearly shows the benefits from a full ten years of
> further development and tweaking.  Under these circumstances how could it
> not shine the brightest?!
>
> On Sat, Feb 8, 2020 at 12:39 PM NW Mailing List via NW-Mailing-List <
> nw-mailing-list at nwhs.org> wrote:
>
>> Emotions also carry in to stuff like this too. With that said concerning
>> the Pennsy T-1 the PRRT&HS magazine *The Keystone* has had several
>> articles on the T-1 and many interviews/comments from PRR Operating men
>> concerning these legendary speeds. Naturally the emotional aspect shows up
>> but nevertheless so many Enginemen have stated these amazing speeds and
>> there have been Dispatcher's Sheets showing matching speeds with trains
>> over their divisions so those must be accurate.
>>
>> As to "official speed runs" as Jerome stated they had to be set according
>> to designated conditions to be equal. Sort of like the folks who seek entry
>> into Ripley's. Specific, set conditions must be met to make things equal
>> and fair.
>>
>> While the PRR T-1 is far from my favorite steam locomotive I have to
>> admire it's ability to move trains quicker than most engines. These
>> articles mentioned also bring to light much of the denigration of the T-1's
>> slipperiness. Basically they were extreme engines, purposely built for
>> speed and hauling long trains. When improperly or poorly handled they were
>> more than a handful but with a skilled Engineman could produce amazing
>> performance. I think that can be said about most steamers.
>>
>> I'll take any N&W J any day over a T-1!
>>
>> Roger Huber
>> Deer Creek Locomotive Works
>>
>>
>> On Saturday, February 8, 2020, 05:30:22 AM CST, NW Mailing List via
>> NW-Mailing-List <nw-mailing-list at nwhs.org> wrote:
>>
>>
>> Personal opinion:  Land speed records should be accepted only if
>> standardized
>> conditions have been established in advance.  Example: records in track
>> and field
>> require an eight lane track; specified head wind / tail wind, etc.
>>
>> The claim of 112.5 mph for NYC 999 is dubious; because of known factors of
>> boiler capacity and cylinder volume; also because observations were
>> largely estimated.
>>
>> The 'World Record' of 126 mph for Mallard is likewise dubious, because it
>> was established
>> on a downhill grade and documented by what some consider as a couple of
>> 'blips' on the
>> chart.
>>
>> From what I have read, the reported 140 mph for a T-1 is too poorly
>> documented to
>> be accepted as fact.  But 'legends' seem to have a life of their own.
>>
>> Jerome Crosson.  Formerly NJ; now NWHS residing in St. Peters MO.  Maybe
>> I'll see
>> you at NMRA 2020 in St. Louis.
>>
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: NW Mailing List <nw-mailing-list at nwhs.org>
>> To: NW Mailing List <nw-mailing-list at nwhs.org>
>> Sent: Fri, Feb 7, 2020 6:05 pm
>> Subject: Re: Virginian PA locomotive speed
>>
>> What’re your thoughts on the anecdotal reports of PRR T-1’s hitting the
>> 140 mph mark west of Crestline, OH?
>>
>> It’s been a while but I think the first time I read that might’ve been in
>> Alvin Stauffer’s book on Pennsy Power.
>>
>> Patrick Whalen
>> Radnor, PA
>>
>> On Fri, Feb 7, 2020 at 5:07 PM NW Mailing List via NW-Mailing-List <
>> nw-mailing-list at nwhs.org> wrote:
>>
>> Thanks for the info. Wow. I didn’t think they could go that fast.
>> -Phil Miller
>>
>> *From:* NW-Mailing-List [mailto:nw-mailing-list-bounces at nwhs.org] *On
>> Behalf Of *NW Mailing List
>> *Sent:* Friday, February 07, 2020 2:51 PM
>> *To:* NW Mailing List
>> *Subject:* Re: Virginian PA locomotive speed
>>
>> With the 69” drivers and the cylinder dimensoins, the PA’s could be
>> expected to cruise at 85 MPH range.  The N&W 100-series engines could be
>> expected to run in the same range.
>>
>> The Js can’t be considered in comparison with ANY other steam
>> locomotive.  They were so well designed including their counterbalancing
>> that they could operate comfortably at driver RPMs in excess of 500 and
>> could reach speeds in excess of that.
>>
>> Remember that if a locomotive  operating a a speed equalling their
>> driving wheel diameter, those wheels will be turning up 336 RPM.  There
>> were many locomotives that could operate in the 400 RPM range.  There were
>> others not comfortable at 336 (the Atlantic Coast Line’s 1800-series
>> Northerns, for example).
>>
>> - Ed King
>> *From:* NW Mailing List via NW-Mailing-List
>> *Sent:* Friday, February 07, 2020 12:13 PM
>> *To:* 'NW Mailing List'
>> *Cc:* NW Mailing List
>> *Subject:* Virginian PA locomotive speed
>>
>> Hello,
>> I wondered if anyone can tell me how fast the Virginian PA passenger
>> locomotives could or did run?  I’m wondering about their designed top speed
>> and normal schedule running speed. I’m sure it’s slower than the N&W J’s
>> but would they have been comparable to older N&W passenger engines?
>> Phil Miller
>> ------------------------------
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