The efficiency, mass-pulling power and speed of steam locomotives advanced materially on March 28, 1925 – the date Lima Locomotive Works #1, a revolutionary 2-8-4 design, began daily road service in western Massachusetts. Designated class A-1-A by its sponsor, the New York Central-controlled Boston & Albany, Lima Locomotive #1 was the first steam locomotive constructed to what would soon become Lima’s signature contribution to fast-evolving steam locomotive development: “Super Power”.
Super Power attained its value by the near-perfect balance of boiler and firebox size -or grate area – without extending the limits of axle load, a contributing factor to reducing excessive wear on roadway and structures. Super Power locomotives were noted for excellent steam qualities, higher horse power and speed. Prior to that time, railroads favored ponderous mallet locomotives that were expensive and difficult to maintain, or double-headed or tripled headed 2-8-0 locomotives to power heavy freight trains – all moved at a snail’s pace.
The development after 1910 of 2-8-2, 2-10-0 and 2-10-2 locomotives helped, but almost all the aforementioned wheel arrangements and designs were considered low-speed, drag engines. Railroads belatedly realized that competition was keen and shippers would no longer settle for slow, drag freight service. That was especially true for the emerging automobile plants that demanded faster and more sustainable transportation options for raw materials and the shipment of finished products. Lima #1 was an immediate hit as evidenced by this entry of May 2, 1925 in Railway Review Magazine: “Some of the most outstanding improvements in locomotive construction in recent years are incorporated in a distinctly new type of steam locomotive recently built”.
B&A placed three subsequent orders for Lima 2-8-4 locomotives and their roster totaled 55 locomotives. The face of the A-1-A was crowned with an Elesco feedwater heater that was decorated with a brass star within a circle. Latter applications of the Elesco design on other locomotives indicate many railroads also decorated the exterior of the feedwater heater with similar embellishments – like the cameo of George Washington on the C&O and The Blue Comet train name of the New Jersey Central. The earliest members of the B&A fleet displayed green boiler jackets, a tradition that – some say –represented the lush green scenery that graced the B&A mainline. True or not, green jackets were discontinued after the 1930s with advancing New York Central standardization and managers less-tolerant of local traditions.
Broadway Limited recently announced a new line of 2-8-4 locomotives that feature Boston & Albany practice and specifications. That release also includes Lima Locomotive Works 2-8-4 locomotive in #1 – the locomotive that revolutionized steam locomotive design. Lima would move on and build a total of 699 Super Power locomotives – to six different wheel-arrangements – before ending steam locomotive construction in 1949.
The Broadway Limited Model features:
All-new Paragon4 Sound System
Synchronized Puffing Smoke and Chuffing sound – accurate for the sound of the A-1-A and A-1-B locomotives
Precision Drive Mechanism with smooth, slow speed control
Premium painting and lettering
Separate and controllable headlight, classification lights, marker lights and cab lights
Infinite number of applied details, appropriate for a specific locomotive/road design
Details, lettering and paint schemes for the 1930s, 1940s and 1946 eras
Tenders with as built four-wheeled trucks and later versions with six-wheeled tenders.
This is the time to add one of the most revolutionary, modern steam locomotive designs to your railroad. Our pre-order option will guarantee that you will receive the version or versions you desire, at competitive prices, backed by our dedicated Customer Service Team.
Frank Wrabel
modeltrainstuff.com