Santa Fe Steam Locomotive Number 5000
One of a kind Experimental Steam Locomotive Prototype.
DESIGN CONCEPT:
AT&SF Steam Locomotive 5000 was designed by the Santa Fe Railway to be the ultimate design of a high-speed heavy freight locomotive.
Design work began in 1927 on a non-compound 2-10-4 high speed freight locomotive that would combine the best qualities of the 3800 and 3751 Classes, but exceed them in power and efficiency for heavy freight service.
The new 2-10-4 when built would break many design records. John Purcell, (Mechanical Assistant to Operating Vice-President) Charles Ripley, (Chief Mechanical Engineer) and H.H. Lanning (Mechanical Engineer - Topeka) of AT&SF Railway were the exclusive designers of 5000.
It was not the product of Baldwin design or development. Baldwin Locomotive Works were merely the builders working with strict oversight and supervision from Purcell, Ripley and Lanning. No work or changes could be made to 5000 without approval from at least one of these three men.
Santa Fe originally designed 5000 to operate at 325 pounds steam pressure with 69 inch drivers, and generally improved design of the boiler, together with a new and larger firebox with a grate area of 121.6 square feet. The firebox was of the radial stay-bolt style designed by H.H. Lanning to take full advantage of the additional capacity afforded by the four-wheel trailing truck.
DESIGNED WITH A ONE-PIECE FRAME!
5000 would be built with a one-piece cast frame instead of the built-up frames used on the 3800’s. The built-up frames were bolted together and could not withstand the tremendous back thrust of the 3800’s piston which was calculated to be 141,000 lbs. The design called for a record sized one-piece frame for 5000. This frame would include the cylinder casting making the largest and strongest one-piece locomotive frame ever built at the time.
HIGHEST PISTON THRUST!
5000’s piston thrust was 219,000 lbs.
HIGHEST BOILER PRESSURE!
The design called for a boiler with 325 lb. of steam pressure, 300 lb. was ultimately used but still the highest until the 5001 Class was built in 1938. The 5001s and 5011s were 310lb. This was necessary to keep the tractive effort at 93,000 lb. due to using a larger 74” driving wheel.
LARGEST BOILER ON AT&SF AT THE TIME!
A huge radial stayed boiler of 104”, and a firebox with 121.5 sq. ft.
LARGEST CYLINDERS ON A AT&SF LOCOMOTIVE!
30” diameter X 34” stroke
HEAVIEST LOCOMOTIVE ON THE AT&SF AT THE TIME!
Engine = 502,600
Tender = 377,860
Total = 880,460
HIGHEST TRACTIVE EFFORT ON THE AT&SF!
93,000 lb. - Published
108,087 lb. - Actual
LARGEST TENDER ON THE AT&SF AT THE TIME!
Tender carried 27 Tons of Coal, - 20,000 Gals Water
MOST EFFICEINT!
The 5000 handled 15% more tonnage in 9% less time while burning 17% less coal than the 3800 Class 2-10-2’s, making the 5000 the most efficient steam locomotive on the Santa Fe Railway.
HIGHEST TONNAGE RATING ON THE AT&SF AT THE TIME!
5000 was rated at 6000 tons for 120 cars on level grade.
EXPERIMENTAL!
Madame Queen was used to test new ideas and innovations that came along. Many new ideas were tried on her too numerous to mention here.
INNOVATION!
Larry E. Brasher says “Santa Fe Mechanical Engineers incorporated many of her elements in future steam designs. Indeed, the incomparable 4-6-4s, 4-8-4s and 2-10-4s of the late 1930s can be considered as “Madame Queen’s” daughters.”
