Erie class K-5a and b
United States 1923 11 produced
Based on the USRA Heavy Pacifics, which the Erie was the only one to receive, it received ten more locomotives in 1923. These were similar in size to the USRA locomotives, but had a larger superheater and were slightly heavier. The original 10,000 gallon water and 16 short tons of coal tenders were soon replaced with larger 16,500 gallon and 24 short tons tenders. In 1926, a single K-5b was ordered to test uniflow cylinders. Since these did not lead to the desired results, they were replaced with conventional cylinders.
Technical data
General
| Property | K-5a (large tender) | K-5b |
|---|---|---|
| Built | 1923 | 1926 |
| Manufacturers | Baldwin | |
| Wheel arrangement | 4-6-2 (Pacific) | |
| Gauge | 1,435 mm (Standard gauge) | |
Dimensions and weights
| Property | K-5a (large tender) | K-5b |
|---|---|---|
| Wheelbase | 11.30 m | |
| Total wheelbase | 24.48 m | |
| Service mass | 146.5 t | |
| Adhesion mass | 93.1 t | |
| Total mass | 289 t | 240 t |
| Rigid wheelbase | 4.27 m | |
| Axle load | 31.3 t | |
| Water capacity | 62,459 l | 45,425 l |
| Fuel capacity | 21.8 t (coal) | 14.5 t (coal) |
Boiler
| Property | K-5a (large tender) | K-5b |
|---|---|---|
| Grate area | 6.578 m² | 6.531 m² |
| Firebox surface | 35.396 m² | 36.046 m² |
| Tube heating surface | 310.854 m² | 310.575 m² |
| Evaporative heating surface | 346.25 m² | 346.622 m² |
| Superheater surface | 99.406 m² | |
| Total heating surface | 445.7 m² | 446.0 m² |
Power plant
| Property | K-5a (large tender) | K-5b |
|---|---|---|
| Driver diameter | 2,007 mm | |
| Boiler pressure | 14.5 bar | 13.8 bar |
| Expansion type | simple expansion | |
| Cylinders | two, 686 x 711 mm | two, 711 x 711 mm |
Power
| Property | K-5a (large tender) | K-5b |
|---|---|---|
| Power source | steam | |
| Estimated power | 2,573 kW (3,498 PS) | 2,424 kW (3,296 PS) |
| Starting effort | 205.2 kN | 210.1 kN |
Calculated values
| Property | K-5a (large tender) | K-5b |
|---|---|---|
| Factor of adhesion | 1 : 4.45 | 1 : 4.35 |
| Optimal speed | 77 km/h | 71 km/h |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 17.6 kW/t | 16.5 kW/t |
| Heating Surface Equivalent | 722.0 m² | 725.7 m² |
| Cylinder volume/HSE | 1 : 727.69 | 1 : 778.68 |
| Adhesive weight/Total | 1 : 1.57 | |
| Tractive force/Heating surface | 1 : 9.61 | 1 : 9.84 |
| Grate area/Heating surface | 1 : 67.75 | 1 : 68.29 |
| Firebox/Tube surface | 1 : 8.78 | 1 : 8.62 |
| Total/Superheater | 1 : 3.48 | 1 : 3.49 |
