| Chicago Burlington & Quincy Railroad 2-6-2 Class R-4 1918 at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, sometime during 1904, photo by Baldwin Locomotive Works, Chuck Zeiler collection. Although someone wrote the date as 1909 on the photo, I referred to the book, Steam Locomotives Of The Burlington Route, by Bernard G. Corbin and William F. Kerka for the following information: In 1904, the R-4 Prairies made their appearance on the road. During that year, forty engines were built by Baldwin, and were assigned No. 1900-1939. The total engine weight of the R-4 Prairies was 208,550 pounds, their operating steam pressure was 210 psi, and they exerted a tractive force of 35,000 pounds. The boilers were of the straight-top design, but in place of the Belpaire-type firebox used on preceding classes, ones of radial-stay construction were used. The 12 inch piston-type valves were of the inboard type and were actuated by Stephenson link motion. The cylinder arrangement was similiar to the P-2 Atlantics. Although the piston rods were extended forward of the cylinders (for additional bearing support) on the first Baldwin-built Class R-4 engines, this was later modified and the extended portion was removed. Some of the R-4 locomotives had 22 X 28 inch cylinders, and others were equipped with cylinders of 25 inch bore. The operating steam pressure was reduced to compensate for the increase in cylinder diameter. By the end of 1925, 14 of the R-4 Prairies were rebuilt with new cylinders of 25 X 28 inch and Walschaerts valve gear was applied to them. These engines were reclassed R-4A. A number of R-4 locomotives were rebuilt to G-10 switchers. The rest retained their original construction features.. During World War II when the Southern Pacific Railroad became short of motive power, several of the R-4 engines were leased by that road and sent to the West Coast where they performed yard and branch-line duties. This particular R-4 was retired in December 1929. |