New York Central class K-3
United States 1911 231 produced
After the K-2 class Pacifics, which did not have a superheater from the factory, the New York Central had a larger number of superheated K-3 built between 1911 and 1925. Their task was to haul the heaviest express trains. Numerous series from the K-3a to the K-3r were produced, with the latter being built for the Big Four. The different series were almost identical in the basic dimensions, but there were differences in the boiler. Some of the locomotives had a booster on the trailing axle.
Technical data
General
| Property | K-3a, c, d, g | K-3f, h, i, m | K-3n | K-3p, q |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Built | 1911-1913 | 1913 | 1918 | 1920 |
| Manufacturers | ALCO, Baldwin | ALCO | ||
| Wheel arrangement | 4-6-2 (Pacific) | |||
| Gauge | 1,435 mm (Standard gauge) | |||
Dimensions and weights
| Property | K-3a, c, d, g | K-3f, h, i, m | K-3n | K-3p, q |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wheelbase | 11.13 m | |||
| Total wheelbase | 20.73 m | 21.64 m | 20.80 m | 20.75 m |
| Service mass | 122.9 t | 134.5 t | 131 t | 130.6 t |
| Adhesion mass | 78 t | 88.2 t | 85.9 t | 88.2 t |
| Total mass | 192.6 t | 228.4 t | 202.8 t | 206.7 t |
| Rigid wheelbase | 4.27 m | |||
| Axle load | 26 t | 29.4 t | 28.6 t | 29.4 t |
| Water capacity | 28,391 l | 37,854 l | ||
| Fuel capacity | 10.9 t (coal) | 14.5 t (coal) | ||
Boiler
| Property | K-3a, c, d, g | K-3f, h, i, m | K-3n | K-3p, q |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grate area | 5.249 m² | |||
| Firebox surface | 21.461 m² | 21.368 m² | 21.461 m² | |
| Tube heating surface | 296.64 m² | 328.041 m² | 296.547 m² | 296.64 m² |
| Evaporative heating surface | 318.1 m² | 349.502 m² | 317.915 m² | 318.1 m² |
| Superheater surface | 76.459 m² | 82.962 m² | 76.459 m² | 77.295 m² |
| Total heating surface | 394.6 m² | 432.5 m² | 394.4 m² | 395.4 m² |
Power plant
| Property | K-3a, c, d, g | K-3f, h, i, m | K-3n | K-3p, q |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Driver diameter | 2,007 mm | |||
| Boiler pressure | 13.8 bar | |||
| Expansion type | simple expansion | |||
| Cylinders | two, 597 x 660 mm | |||
Power
| Property | K-3a, c, d, g | K-3f, h, i, m | K-3n | K-3p, q |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Power source | steam | |||
| Estimated power | 1,566 kW (2,129 PS) | 1,603 kW (2,179 PS) | ||
| Starting effort | 137.4 kN | |||
| Indicated power | 1,566 kW (2,129 PS) | |||
| Starting effort booster | 43.192 kN | |||
Calculated values
| Property | K-3a, c, d, g | K-3f, h, i, m | K-3n | K-3p, q |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Factor of adhesion | 1 : 5.57 | 1 : 6.30 | 1 : 6.13 | 1 : 6.30 |
| Optimal speed | 69 km/h | 71 km/h | 69 km/h | |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 12.7 kW/t | 11.9 kW/t | 12.0 kW/t | |
| Heating Surface Equivalent | 578.3 m² | 622.7 m² | 577.7 m² | 580.0 m² |
| Cylinder volume/HSE | 1 : 639.09 | 1 : 593.51 | 1 : 639.81 | 1 : 637.24 |
| Adhesive weight/Total | 1 : 1.58 | 1 : 1.52 | 1 : 1.48 | |
| Tractive force/Heating surface | 1 : 7.28 | 1 : 6.64 | 1 : 7.28 | 1 : 7.26 |
| Grate area/Heating surface | 1 : 75.17 | 1 : 82.39 | 1 : 75.13 | 1 : 75.33 |
| Firebox/Tube surface | 1 : 13.82 | 1 : 15.29 | 1 : 13.88 | 1 : 13.82 |
| Total/Superheater | 1 : 4.16 | 1 : 4.21 | 1 : 4.16 | 1 : 4.12 |
