December 30, 2004
Robin - Reference the CB&Q Class B-1 and B-1a steam locomotives, Lima built
the first eight Class B-1 4-8-2's in 1922. They were so successful that an
additional 13 similiar Mountains were built by Baldwin in 1925 as Class B-1a.
The original Class B-1 locomotives were the only steam engines the CB&Q ever
purchased from Lima. There has been alot of speculation over the years why,
and particularly why Baldwin got the order for the second series of 4-8-2's.
The 4-8-2's that were assigned to Lines West all had extended smoke boxes to
burn the highly volatile Lignite coal. Several of these Lignite burners were
later converted to burn oil. All the Mountains that ran on Lines East had the
conventional short smoke box.
The 4-8-2's ran system wide on the CB&Q before they were superceded by the
Class S Hudsons and Class 0-5 Northerns. The Mountains were dual purpose steam
engines and handled freight as well as heavy passenger trains of the era.
I would recommend that you visit the following websites for a selection of
period photographs showing both the Class B-1 and B-1a locomotives:
www.castlegraphics.com
http://photoswest.org
All the 4-8-2's were retired and sold for scrap between 1953 and 1955. None
were preserved. They are remembered as a transitional design between the
Pacifics and Hudsons. Although slippery on wet rails, once hooked up, the Class
B
Mountains could run with the antelopes.
I trust you will find this brief information to be of some value. Best
Regards,
Louis Zadnichek II
Fairhope, AL
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
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