Missouri Pacific class MT-73
After World War I, the Missouri Pacific ordered a 4-8-2 that would be faster than the MT-63, but had to be limited to an adhesive weight of 226,000 pounds. The goal was to use the heating surface as best as possible, what was accomplished by curved circulating plates and thermic syphons. They also got a large superheater with a surface of more than 1,000 square feet. With a driver diameter of 73 inches, it was designated MT-73. Numbers 5308 to 5312 were built by ALCO-Schenectady in 1921, followed by 5313 to 5316 in 1923.
Since these were still not powerful enough for some passenger services, the following two batches were heavier, had a larger boiler, a pressure of 250 instead of 210 psi and roller bearings. These were 5335 to 5339 built by ALCO-Brooks in 1927 and 5340 to 5344 built by ALCO-Schenectady in 1930. In the result these were considerably more powerful, but could only be used on lines which had been upgraded for the higher weight. While the first two batches were retired in 1955, the last two already followed in the next year.
Technical data
General
| Property | 5308-5316 | 5335-5344 |
|---|---|---|
| Built | 1921, 1923 | 1927, 1930 |
| Manufacturers | ALCO | |
| Wheel arrangement | 4-8-2 (Mountain) | |
| Gauge | 1,435 mm (Standard gauge) | |
Dimensions and weights
| Property | 5308-5316 | 5335-5344 |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 26.96 m | 33.67 m |
| Length loco | 16.61 m | 17.11 m |
| Wheelbase | 12.60 m | 12.85 m |
| Total wheelbase | 23.52 m | 26.91 m |
| Empty mass | 134.4 t | 159.7 t |
| Service mass | 152 t | 179.6 t |
| Adhesion mass | 102.5 t | 121.3 t |
| Total mass | 239.4 t | 324.8 t |
| Rigid wheelbase | 5.97 m | |
| Axle load | 25.6 t | 30.3 t |
| Water capacity | 37,854 l | 52,996 l |
| Fuel capacity | 14.5 t (coal) | 11.8 t (coal) |
Boiler
| Property | 5308-5316 | 5335-5344 |
|---|---|---|
| Grate area | 6.225 m² | 7.832 m² |
| Firebox surface | 30.379 m² | 43.2 m² |
| Tube heating surface | 335.102 m² | 433.021 m² |
| Evaporative heating surface | 365.481 m² | 476.221 m² |
| Superheater surface | 100.707 m² | 125.605 m² |
| Total heating surface | 466.2 m² | 601.8 m² |
Power plant
| Property | 5308-5316 | 5335-5344 |
|---|---|---|
| Driver diameter | 1,854 mm | |
| Boiler pressure | 14.5 bar | 17.2 bar |
| Expansion type | simple expansion | |
| Cylinders | two, 686 x 762 mm | |
Power
| Property | 5308-5316 | 5335-5344 |
|---|---|---|
| Power source | steam | |
| Estimated power | 2,461 kW (3,346 PS) | 3,057 kW (4,156 PS) |
| Starting effort | 237.9 kN | 283.2 kN |
Calculated values
| Property | 5308-5316 | 5335-5344 |
|---|---|---|
| Factor of adhesion | 1 : 4.23 | 1 : 4.20 |
| Optimal speed | 63 km/h | 66 km/h |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 16.2 kW/t | 17.0 kW/t |
| Heating Surface Equivalent | 718.8 m² | 943.4 m² |
| Cylinder volume/HSE | 1 : 783.19 | 1 : 596.70 |
| Adhesive weight/Total | 1 : 1.48 | |
| Tractive force/Heating surface | 1 : 10.66 | 1 : 9.83 |
| Grate area/Heating surface | 1 : 74.89 | 1 : 76.84 |
| Firebox/Tube surface | 1 : 11.03 | 1 : 10.02 |
| Total/Superheater | 1 : 3.63 | 1 : 3.79 |