Stylish 1947 Lima built Berkshire sits in the Roanoke yard on this day in 1959. According to www.steamlocomotive.com "Said to be virtually identical to C&O K-4s. How powerful and smooth was a Lima 2-8-4? EW King, Jr. (in Drury, 1993) says they "had speed well beyond that required." In a detour move on the Norfolk & Western, the Virginian's 505, pulling a 3,500 ton train, was claimed to have hit 87 mph" Specifics - BA class, 69" drivers, 245 psi boiler pressure, 26x34" cylinders, engine weight of 460,400 lb, tractive effort of 69,368 lb. Glenn H. Davis photo |