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The rapid increase of
traffic during the period under notice demanded a still more powerful
freight engine, and in order to secure the necessary amount of adhesion,
Mr. Alexander Mitchell, master mechanic of the Lehigh and Mahoning
Railroad, designed in the year 1866 an eight coupled engine, and it was
named Consolidation. This name was suggested by the consolidation of the
Lehigh and Mahoning with the Lehigh Valley Railroad, which had just then
been consummated.
This
historical locomotive is shown in Fig. 20, and it is interesting
to note that both the Mogul and Consolidation engines of the present day
have not been altered in any essential particular except in dimensions,
which reflects great credit on their designers. The Consolidation was
built at the Baldwin Locomotive Works, and its principal dimensions
were: Cylinders, 20 in. diameter by 24 in. stroke; driving wheels, 48˝
in. in diameter. The pony truck (meaning single axle) was
equalized with the front driving wheels. Weight about 45 tons. The
boiler was fed by one injector and two feed pumps; the latter were
worked by return cranks on the rear driving wheels, as shown. Pumps have
now practically become obsolete. They gave much trouble by freezing in
cold weather, and many vexatious delays were caused by "failure of
the pumps."
The writer takes
pleasure in thanking Mr. J. Elfreth Watkins, curator of the National
Museum, Washington; Mr. Theo. N. Ely, chief of motive power of the
Pennsylvania Railroad; Mr. R. S. Hughes, president of the Rogers
Locomotive Company; Mr. William Buchanan, chief of motive power of the
New York Central and Hudson River Railroad; the Baldwin Locomotive
Works; the Westinghouse Air Brake Company; Mr. M. N. Forney, M.E.; and
Mr. Clement E. Stretton, C.E., of Leicester, England, for the valuable
data and drawings they have kindly placed at his disposal.
Source:
"The Evolution of the American Locomotive",
Scientific American Supplement—May 8, 1897 (Part 3 of 3), by Herbert
T. WALKER.
The first
locomotice -- known as the "Pony," and yet in use in the depot
yards at Henderson -- was purchased by John Henry BARRETT (1868) of the
Baldwin Locomotive Works, Philadelphia, and paid for out of his own
means.
During the building
of the Evansville, Henderson & Nashville Railroad, Mr. BARRETT was a
member of the Board of Directors, and was at all times active in
assisting to its early completion. He served as Director up to the
sale of the road to the Louisville & Nashville company.
Souce: "The
History of Henderson, Kentucky", page 768, by Edmund L.
Starling
On 30 Jan 1869, the
first engine ever seen in Henderson, was landed at the wark and several
days were comsumed in hauling it up the wharf, and through the streets
over a temporary strack to the depot where it was soon afterwards placed
in running order. When this had been done steam was raised and a
shrill, keen whistle awakened the citizens to the absolute certainty
that the Evansville, Henderson & Nashville Railroad was a thing of
life indeed. This same afternoon the Mayor and Council, and
several citizens were treated to a short ride over the five mile track
which had been laid down before the war, but never before used.
Source:
"The History of Henderson, Kentucky", pages 332-333,
by Edmund L. Starling
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