GCR 29

Grand Canyon 29

Grand Canyon Railway 29. August 13 2005 © Nigel Day

Vital Statistics:

2-8-0 Class SC-3. Built by American Locomotive Company (ALCO) in 1906 for the Lake Superior and Ishpeming RR;
Tractive effort 48,000 pounds on 56" (4'8") drivers;
Steam pressure 200 pounds per square inch;
Weight of locomotive in working order 227,000 pounds (101 tons);
Weight of tender (loaded) 167,000 pounds (74.5 tons);
Capacity - Oil 2,600gal. Water 9,700gal.

29 was fitted with a Lempor exhaust system in house on the GCR in March 2005. To get a satisfactory arrangement it was found necessary to replace the original chimney (stack).

29's works plate. March 15 2005. © Nigel Day

On test, following tuning to obtain the optimum performance - especially from the oil firing, 29 has proved to be much more powerful. As a result the maximum load limit has been lifted from 640 tons to 844 tons on the route to Grand Canyon. It should be noted gradients get as steep as 3% (approximately 1 in 33). On these grades the loco is able to maintain 8 to 10 mph and to do so produces in the region of 2700hp.

Lempor Nozzles and mixing chamber as installed in 29. May 09 2005. © Sam Lanter

Back pressure has been reduced from 12-16psi to 6-7psi whilst vacuum per pound of back pressure is now about 2". On test it has proved possible to achieve 2.5" of vacuum per pound of back pressure.

29 out on the road clearly displaying the new chimney, but would you know? March 26 2005. © Sam Lanter

29 with a water wagon and B unit diesel helper in tow has just turned on the triangle at Williams. August 13 2005 © Nigel Day

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