Western Meat Company 2-4-4 Locomotives in the USA


Class Details by Steve Llanso of Sweat House Media

Class 2 (Locobase 16326)

Data from Baldwin Locomotive Works Specification for Engines as digitized by the DeGolyer Library of Southern Methodist University, Volume 26, p. 264. See also "No Meat Famine in San Francisco", National Provisioner, Volume 34, No 19 (12 May 1906), p. 44. Works number was 23876 in March 1904..

This little oil-burning tank beat its weight estimates considerably upon delivery to the WMC. The order sheet predicted 75,000 lb (34,019 kg) for weight on the drivers and 110,000 lb (49,895 kg) for engine weight.

The South San Francisco-based meat packer figured prominently in a story filed a little over two years later.. A local Oakland paper reported six days after the violent 18 April 1906 earthquake and fire reported that concerns about a "fresh meat famine" were unfounded. The Southern Pacific ordered all of its cattle cars to be "rushed to the city at top speed [taking] precedence even of [sic] passenger trains."

The WMC's plant was in "perfect working order, well stocked with cattle an in receipt of immense consignments of beef, either dressed or on the hoof". In addition, was also reported to be "working in harmony with the citizens' committee for feeing the hungry, which has unlimited credit at prices considerably reduced from those which prevailed before the fire."

After only three years wrangling products for the WMC, the 2 was sold to the South San Francisco Beltline. For the next twelve years the 2 continued to serve the South San Francisco area in company with a newer version of the same design, which shown in Locobase 13706.

Sold in 1919 to Chiloquin Lumber Company of Chiloquin, Oregon, and renumbered 1. E A Blockinger and son Arthur founded the CLC in 1918. By 1928, Chiloquin Lumber's mill cranked out 150,000 ft of lumber per day. A fire in the box factory demolished that building in 1947. The CLC retired engine #1 in 1948.

Principal Dimensions by Steve Llanso of Sweat House Media

Class2
Locobase ID16326
RailroadWestern Meat Company
CountryUSA
Whyte2-4-4ST
Number in Class1
Road Numbers2
GaugeStd
Number Built1
BuilderBurnham, Williams & Co
Year1904
Valve GearStephenson
Locomotive Length and Weight
Driver Wheelbase (ft / m) 7.50 / 2.29
Engine Wheelbase (ft / m)28.58 / 8.71
Ratio of driving wheelbase to overall engine wheelbase 0.26
Overall Wheelbase (engine & tender) (ft / m)28.58 / 8.71
Axle Loading (Maximum Weight per Axle) (lbs / kg)
Weight on Drivers (lbs / kg)66,800 / 30,300
Engine Weight (lbs / kg)108,700 / 49,306
Tender Loaded Weight (lbs / kg)
Total Engine and Tender Weight (lbs / kg)108,700
Tender Water Capacity (gals / ML)1600 / 6.06
Tender Fuel Capacity (oil/coal) (gals/tons / Liters/MT)800 / 3028
Minimum weight of rail (calculated) (lb/yd / kg/m)
Geometry Relating to Tractive Effort
Driver Diameter (in / mm)50 / 1270
Boiler Pressure (psi / kPa)160 / 11
High Pressure Cylinders (dia x stroke) (in / mm)16" x 24" / 406x610
Tractive Effort (lbs / kg)16,712 / 7580.44
Factor of Adhesion (Weight on Drivers/Tractive Effort) 4.00
Heating Ability
Tubes (number - dia) (in / mm)157 - 2" / 51
Flues (number - dia) (in / mm)
Flue/Tube length (ft / m)12 / 3.66
Firebox Area (sq ft / m2)88.50 / 8.22
Grate Area (sq ft / m2)15 / 1.39
Evaporative Heating Surface (sq ft / m2)1068 / 99.26
Superheating Surface (sq ft / m2)
Combined Heating Surface (sq ft / m2)1068 / 99.26
Evaporative Heating Surface/Cylinder Volume191.06
Computations Relating to Power Output (More Information)
Robert LeMassena's Power Computation2400
Same as above plus superheater percentage2400
Same as above but substitute firebox area for grate area14,160
Power L13603
Power MT

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