USRA 4-8-2 Heavy Mountain Chesapeake & Ohio J2 No. 546.
(Internet photo, Fair use, Title 17, Section 107.)
USRA 4-8-2 HEAVY MOUTAIN
The USRA Heavy Mountain was a USRA standard class of steam locomotive designed under the control of the United States Railroad Administration, the nationalized railroad system in the United States during World War I. This was the standard light freight locomotive of the USRA types, and was of 4-8-2 wheel arrangement in the Whyte notation, or 2′D1′ in UIC classification.
A total of 15 locomotives were built under the auspices of the USRA.
Table of original USRA allocation
| Railroad | Quantity | Class | Road Numbers | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chesapeake and Ohio Railway | 5 | J-2 | 543-547 | Built 1918 by Baldwin. Renumbered from 133-137. Scrapped 1940-1947. |
| Norfolk and Western Railway | 10 | K2 | 116–125 | Built 1919 by ALCO. Scrapped 1951-1952. |
| Total | 15 |
Table of copies acquired
| Railroad | Quantity | Class | Road Numbers | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chesapeake and Ohio Railway | 2 | J-2a | 548–549 | Built 1923 by ALCO. Renumbered from 138-139. Scrapped in 1948. |
| Florida East Coast Railway | 23 | 801 | 801–823 | Built 1926 by ALCO Schenectady. Scrapped 1950-1952. |
| Norfolk and Western Railway | 12 | K2a | 126–137 | Built 1923 by Baldwin. Scrapped 1947-1959. |
| Total | 37 |
Neither the originals built by the USRA or any of the subsequent copies were preserved, being scrapped between 1940 and 1959.
USRA Heavy Mountain Overview
Type and origin
Power type: Steam
Builders: American Locomotive Company (13+25), Baldwin Locomotive Works (2+12)
Build date: 1918-1926
Total produced: 15 (plus 37 copies)
Specifications
Configuration:
• Whyte 4-8-2
• UIC 2′D1′ h2
Gauge: 4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm)
Wheelbase Coupled: 18 ft 3 in (5.56 m)
Wheelbase Locomotive: 40 ft 0 in (12.19 m)
Wheelbase Locomotive & tender: 75 ft 8+1⁄2 in (23.08 m)
Axle load: 60,000 lb (27,000 kg)
Adhesive weight: 240,000 lb (110,000 kg)
Locomotive weight: 350,000 lb (160,000 kg)
Tender weight: 172,000 lb (78,000 kg)
Total weight: 522,000 lb (237,000 kg)
Fuel type: Coal
Fuel capacity: 32,000 lb (15,000 kg)
Water capacity: 10,000 US gal (38,000 L; 8,300 imp gal)
Firebox: • Grate area: 76.3 sq ft (7.09 m2)
Boiler pressure: 200 psi (1.38 MPa)
Heating surface: 4,666 sq ft (433.5 m2)
• Tubes: 2,790 sq ft (259 m2)
• Flues: 1,323 sq ft (122.9 m2)
• Firebox: 346 sq ft (32.1 m2)
Superheater: • Heating area 10,780 sq ft (1,001 m2)
Cylinders: Two
Cylinder size: 28 in × 30 in (711 mm × 762 mm)
Valve gear: Walschaerts
Valve type: 14-inch (360 mm) piston valves
Performance figures
Tractive effort: 58,200 lbf (258.89 kN)
Factor of adhesion: 4.1
Career
Preserved: 0
Scrapped: 1940-1959
Disposition: All scrapped