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(erielack) DL&W 1400 4-8-2s



In a message dated 12/2/99 12:34:42 PM Eastern Standard Time, 
"JCaselli_@_tacintel.com" writes:

>  Therefore, why would
>  they sell five of their steam locomotives to another railroad when they
>  themselves would (might) utilize them? 

This subject is covered in detail in Taber's books.  In fact, one of the very 
best in-the-cab stories in the book is about a 1400, describing how sluggish 
they were and that one engineer would tweek the pop valves up 10 psi to make 
it a lively engine.  I met one steam engineer at the Whippany Festival back 
around 1990 -- he was in his '90s -- who recalled that he liked the 1450s 
much better than the 1400s.  But he looooved the Poconos.  He said that 
newest batch were the best engines on the road.  He remembered very few 
specifics and details.

The Lackawanna was one of the few to have surplus power entering WWII.  The 
4-8-2s were leased to the L&HR in 1942 and then sold to the power-short ACL.  
The engines were in good shape when they were sold -- many similar sales 
between other power-fat and power-short roads took place at the War's 
beginning.  Other DL&W sales (later in the War) included 2-8-2s to the C&IM, 
Alton & Southern and Montour, and at least three 2-8-2s were leased to the 
Canadian National.

Read Taber -- all of your questions will be answered.

                                ....Mike

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