$7.95
M-1 Class Steam-Turbine-Electric Locomotive 500-502 Photos
C&O was interested in retaining coal as a locomotive fuel as part of its campaign to keep coal as a primary fuel for America, so it experimented with a new-style steam-turbine-electric that used coal but transmitted its energy by electric drive to traction motors in almost exactly the same way as diesel-electrics. C&O had three giant locomotives built, with a streamlined design. They were intended to haul the new ultra-luxury all-coach mainly daylight train between Washington and Cincinnati called The Chessie. By using them on this flashy train C&O thought it could call extra attention to the new engines, which were the largest locomotive in the world at the time of their construction in late 1947 and early 1948. However, The Chessie was cancelled, so the turbines were put to work on the regular passenger trains, and did a creditable job for about a year. However, they were one-of-a-kind and were all-new technology, so there was neither a maintenance base nor operational expertise to handle them well, and as with all new technology there were problems that needed attention. However, C&O had a complete change of mind and by 1949 they were retired from service and a year later returned to Baldwin for scrapping. However, these giant streamliners have attracted much attention among railfans, historians, and modelers not only because of their bold attempt to keep coal-fired locomotives on the rails, but because of their huge, usual design and colorful paint.
This album contains both builder photos (Baldwin/Westinghouse) and in-service pictures.
17 pgs.
M-1 Class Steam-Turbine-Electric Locomotive 500-502 Photos
C&O was interested in retaining coal as a locomotive fuel as part of its campaign to keep coal as a primary fuel for America, so it experimented with a new-style steam-turbine-electric that used coal but transmitted its energy by electric drive to traction motors in almost exactly the same way as diesel-electrics. C&O had three giant locomotives built, with a streamlined design. They were intended to haul the new ultra-luxury all-coach mainly daylight train between Washington and Cincinnati called The Chessie. By using them on this flashy train C&O thought it could call extra attention to the new engines, which were the largest locomotive in the world at the time of their construction in late 1947 and early 1948. However, The Chessie was cancelled, so the turbines were put to work on the regular passenger trains, and did a creditable job for about a year. However, they were one-of-a-kind and were all-new technology, so there was neither a maintenance base nor operational expertise to handle them well, and as with all new technology there were problems that needed attention. However, C&O had a complete change of mind and by 1949 they were retired from service and a year later returned to Baldwin for scrapping. However, these giant streamliners have attracted much attention among railfans, historians, and modelers not only because of their bold attempt to keep coal-fired locomotives on the rails, but because of their huge, usual design and colorful paint.
This album contains both builder photos (Baldwin/Westinghouse) and in-service pictures.
17 pgs.
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