Eaton's Cinderellas

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Several copies of this label have been circulating lately and it may be worthwhile concluding with a note about the locomotive shown thereon.

As stated on the label the train is the "Broadway Limited" hauled by a streamlined version of Pennsylvania's famous K4s class. Originally brought out in 1914, the class ran 425 locomotives by the time production ceased in 1927. They were built by Baldwin's and the Pennsylvania Company's works at Altoona, Pa. (of Horseshoe Curve fame). They weighed 138 tons.

In 1936, after extensive wind tunnel testing on clay models, a number of these locomotives were streamlined at Altoona. The streamlining increased the weight to 150 tons but reduced the wind resistance by over one third at 60 m.p.h.

The principle dimensions are: wheel arrangement 4-6-2, two outside cylinders 27" (diameter) x 28" (stroke), diameter of driving wheels 6' 8", boiler pressure 205 lbs./sq. in., length over buffers of engine and tender 80' 5-1/2" (in original form), 95' 0" (streamlined). The increased length was because the streamlined version was fitted with an 18,000 (U.S.) gallon tender in place of the 14,000 gallon tender originally fitted.

Author's Note:

In Railway Philately Volume 6 No.1 (December 1971) the following correction appeared:

"Without disrespect to my good friend Tony Goodbody, I would correct an error in his article on the USA (September Journal). The 'Eaton's Fine Letter Papers' label does not show the PRR streamlined K4s No.3768, but the lone prototype S-1 class 6-4-4-6- Duplex No.6100.

The duplex arrangement consisted of two independent sets of cylinders, wheels and motion in one rigid frame, the purpose being to lessen the weight of the reciprocating masses (and therefore the hammer blow on the track) as compared with an 8-coupled locomotive. Like 3768, No.6100 was styled by the industrial designer Raymond Loewy, and was displayed at the New York World's Fair in 1939-40. It was in action a stationary roller plant with "American Railroads" blazoned along the 16-wheel, 2,430 gallon tender.

In line service, however, it was something of a white elephant, being too cumbersome for the duties allotted to it, and was cut up in 1949. The duplex concept had meanwhile been developed into the T-1 4-4-4-4. S-1 had cylinders 22" x 26" (four), driving wheels 7 ft. in diameter and weighted 27.5 long tons." (a mistake I think: see below).

C.A.Hart

Andy Hart was obviously correct.

Then I have added in M/S : 'Boiler pressure 300p.s.i., Length = 140 ft. 2.5 ins., Weight 271.5 tons, Maximum speed 100 mph, Built in Juniata Shops, Altoona.'

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Since first seeing that beautiful set of poster stamps on SCF, especially the train one, I can't help but think of Ayn Rand's allegorical novel Atlas Shrugged.

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I agree. That stream-lined locomotive especially evokes images of a hard working country and populace. Thanks for reminding me of it, must get it again from the library and reread it after many years.