NYC Niagara
The one with the generic name of Niagara ( Class S -1a and S -1b) designated express locomotive type of the New York Central Railroad ( NYC) was a steam locomotive with two cylinders and a simple steam expansion. As a machine the wheel arrangement Northern they had four driving axles and both an upstream and a trailing two-axle bogie.
History
The NYC needed towards the end of World War II locomotives with higher boiler and Drawbar tractive than the existing machines the wheel arrangement Hudson ( classes J -1a, J -2 and J- 3 ) due to increasing passenger volume. In the development of an indicated capacity of 6000 HP was sought. Inspired this power value selected from the NYC for the machine train numbers from the number 6000. The genus name " Niagara ", however, followed the common practice of the railway company, its locomotive types with river names to denote (in this case by the Niagara River ).
The first locomotive of the type that train number 6000, was completed by the ALCo in August 1945. Furthermore, aircraft followed between October 1945 and April 1946.
Application of Lokgattung were the fast trains "The Chicagoan ", " The Commodore Vanderbilt " and "The Empire State Express" between New York City and Chicago. Due to the large, seven- tender only a Nachbekohlung was needed on the track, the water supplies were replenished several times during the journey by scooping. On average, each machine laid over 40.2 thousand kilometers back a month.
The Niagara's regarded as one of the best express steam locomotives in general, and as a highlight of the North American Lokomotivbaues. All locomotives have been scrapped after decommissioning.
Technical Features
The machines called Lokomotiv bed was applied, in which the locomotive frame and the cylinder are made of a single steel casting. In the engine all axle shafts, connecting rods and other engine rods were mounted on roller bearings. All reciprocating parts of the engine were made of alloy steel (compared to the DR used for engine rods preferably the unalloyed steels St 60 or 70). Parts of the locomotive - here in particular the cab, the side skirting and handrails call - were made to reduce weight from zugeliefertem of the Alcoa aluminum.
The structure gauge of the New York Central was narrower than usual with American railroads. To fully exploit it for the benefit of the largest possible diameter of shell, had the boiler of the steam dome Niagara's not, but an objective in the boiler apex vapor manifold.
Through a scoop under the tender, the water resources could be supplemented during the journey from troughs between the rails. A Stoker carried the fuel ( coal) on the rack.
The locomotives were able to carry an assembled from 18 cars train at a speed of around 129 km / h; the maximum Drawbar tractive S- 1b was determined by measurement 3,765 kW at 101 km / h