Grand Canyon 4960

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Grand Canyon Railway 4960 on a day off. September 14 2005 © Sam Lanter

Grand Canyon Railway 4960 on a day off. September 14 2005 © Sam Lanter

Vital Statistics:
  • 2-8-2 Class O1-A. Built by Baldwin Locomotive Works in 1923 for the Chicago Burlington and Quincy RR;
  • Tractive effort 58,090 pounds on 62" (5'2") drivers;
  • Steam pressure 200 pounds per square inch;
  • Weight of locomotive 310,780 pounds (139 tons);
  • Weight of tender (loaded) 320,000 pounds (143tons);
  • Capacities - Oil 4,500gal., Water 18,000gal.

4960 received a Lempor exhaust system on the GCR in the March 2005. It was found possible to re-use the old chimney (stack) and fit a liner to give the desired Lempor profile. In the photo to the left the new chimney liner can clearly be seen standing above the old chimney.

Photo: Taken September 14 2005. © Sam Lanter

 Photo: Taken September 14 2005. © Sam Lanter

4960's works plate and above it a plate from 'The Superheater Company'. March 14 2005 © Nigel Day
4960's works plate and above it a plate from 'The Superheater Company'. March 14 2005 © Nigel Day

4960, a helper diesel unit and a big train. August 12 2005 © Nigel Day
4960, a helper diesel unit and a big train. August 12 2005 © Nigel Day

4960's original blast nozzle arrangement. This is a Kiesel Star as developed by the Pennsylvania Railroad and tested extensively at their world famous Altoona testing facilities. This version of the Kiesel Star appears to be the 1933 six lobe variety. March 13 2005. © Nigel Day

Note: Thanks to Sam Lanter and Shaun McMahon for filling me in on what type of nozzle this is.

4960's original blast nozzle arrangement. This is a Kiesel Star as developed by the Pennsylvania Railroad and tested extensively at their world famous Altoona testing facilities. This version of the Kiesel Star appears to be the 1933 six lobe variety. March 13 2005. © Nigel Day

4960's rather large Lempor nozzle ready for installation. March 14 2005. © Nigel Day
4960's rather large Lempor nozzle ready for installation. March 14 2005. © Nigel Day

The revised exhaust arrangements being fitted to 4960. Note the nozzle, blower ring and the way the mixing chamber has been fitted within the old chimney (stack). May 03 2005 © Sam Lanter
The revised exhaust arrangements being fitted to 4960. Note the nozzle, blower ring and the way the mixing chamber has been fitted within the old chimney (stack). May 03 2005 © Sam Lanter

The driver's (engineer's) side of 4960's cab. Note the diesel multiple control stand just off centre of the photo. August 10 2005 © Nigel Day
The fireman's side of 4960's cab. Note the comfortable seat! August 10 2005 © Nigel Day
The driver's (engineer's) side of 4960's cab. Note the diesel multiple control stand just off centre of the photo. August 10 2005 © Nigel Day
The fireman's side of 4960's cab. Note the comfortable seat! August 10 2005 © Nigel Day

4960 on test - note the manometer on the backhead. Note the safety equipment storage box labelled Fusees & Torpedos. Fusees are similar to the UK detonator whilst Torpedos are red flares lit to indicate any driver must stop. August 10 2005. © Nigel Day
4960 on test - note the manometer on the backhead. Note the safety equipment storage box labeled Fusees & Torpedos. Torpedos are similar to the UK detonator whilst Fusees are red flares lit to indicate any driver must stop. August 10 2005. © Nigel Day

In July 2006 Roger Hahn had the oppurtunity to visit the GCR and found 4960 in operation. He has kindly made available a video clip of the loco working hard upgrade with a heavy train. There is a diesel in the consist, also working hard, which is under the control of the steam locomotive driver (engineer in US speak).
4960 in July 2006

The video clip is available in Windows Media WMV format in two sizes:

Large (1.77MB) or Small (506KB)

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