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Denver & Rio Grande Western class L-105
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United States | 1938
15 produced
No. 3709 in August 1949 at Salt Lake City, Utah
No. 3709 in August 1949 at Salt Lake City, Utah
collection Nathan Zachman

One of two classes of 4-6-6-4 “Challenger” locomotives ordered by the DRGW was the L-105 introduced in 1938. It was designed for mixed service on grades in the Rocky Mountains with up to three percent and sharp curves. For these long grades, it had a huge sandbox mounted in front of the smoke box. The 105 in the class designation denoted the starting tractive effort in thousands of pounds

The first ten were delivered by Baldwin in 1938 and got the numbers 3700 to 3709. In 1942, five more were ordered which got the numbers 3710 to 3714. They had the same basic dimensions, but got fewer tubes and flues. A typical line the L-105 was running on went over Soldier Summit in Utah. There they hauled 2,750 tons and were assisted by helpers on the steepest portions. The town called Helper was one of those places where the helpers were coupled to the train. They were retired and scrapped between 1951 and 1957.

Variant3700-37093710-3714
General
Built19381941
ManufacturerBaldwin
Axle config4-6-6-4 (Challenger) 
Gauge4 ft 8 1/2 in (Standard gauge)
Dimensions and Weights
Wheelbase61 ft 6 in
Rigid wheelbase12 ft 2 in
Total wheelbase108 ft
Service weight641,900 lbs641,700 lbs
Adhesive weight437,939 lbs435,472 lbs
Total weight1,035,900 lbs1,035,330 lbs
Axle load73,669 lbs74,721 lbs
Water capacity20,000 us gal
Fuel capacity52,000 lbs (coal)54,000 lbs (coal)
Boiler
Grate area136.5 sq ft
Firebox area806 sq ft
Tube heating area5,535 sq ft4,924 sq ft
Evaporative heating area6,341 sq ft5,730 sq ft
Superheater area2,628 sq ft2,525 sq ft
Total heating area8,969 sq ft8,255 sq ft
Variant3700-37093710-3714
Power Plant
Driver diameter70 in
Boiler pressure255 psi
Expansion typesimple
Cylindersfour, 23 x 32 in
Power
Power sourcesteam
Estimated power6,500 hp (4,847 kW)6,400 hp (4,772 kW)
Starting effort104,833 lbf
Calculated Values
Optimal speed40 mph39 mph
steam locomotive
Articulated
passenger
freight
last changed: 10/2024
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