Classic Streamliners - TRAINCYCLOPEDIA
A T-Motor Slideshow.
NYC T-Motor Electric Locomotive
T-Motor was the class designation given by the New York Central to its ALCO-GE built T-1a, T-1b, T-2a, T-2b, and T-3a electric locomotives. The T-Motors were the New York Central's second electric locomotive purchase after the original class of S-Motors. The T-motors continued on in service with the New York Central and a few continued on with the Penn Central after the 1968 merger.
History
ALCO and GE co-built T-Motors from 1913 to 1926 to take over the main line passenger duties from the earlier and somewhat less capable S-Motor classes. Like the rest of the eastern electric fleet T-Motors were only used on the third rail territory from Grand Central Terminal on to the Hudson and Harlem Divisions. Compared to the S-Motors the T's had more power and with no non-powered wheels all of the locomotive's weight could be transferred into tractive effort. The T-Motors were also faster than the S-Motors and hauled everything from commuter trains to the 20th Century Limited. The first major blow to the fleet of T's was when the Cleveland Union Terminal electrified operations shut down in the mid 1950s, freeing up the fleet of 22 P-Motors for conversion to 3rd rail power. Although reduced to secondary duties 6 T's survived into the Penn Central era when they were finally replaced by New York, New Haven and Hartford FL9s on the Penn Central roster.
NYC T Motor Overview
Type and origin
Power type: Electric
Builder: ALCO-GE
Build date: 1913-1926
Total produced
T-1a: 1
T-1b: 9
T-2a: 6
T-2b: 10
T-3a: 10
Total: 36
Specifications
AAR wheel arrangement: B-B+B-B
UIC class: Bo'Bo+BoBo'
Gauge: 4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm)
Driver diameter: 36 in (914 mm)
Length: T-1: 55 ft 2 in (16.81 m), T-2, T-3: 56 ft 10 in (17.32 m)
Locomotive weight: T-1: 236,000 lb (107.0 tonnes), T-2: 265,000 lb (120.2 tonnes), T-3: 285,000 lb (129.3 tonnes)
Electric system: 660 V DC
Current collection: Third rail
Traction motors: 8 × GE 91-A 380 hp (280 kW)
Transmission: Resistance controlled DC current supplied to gearless DC traction motors mounted directly on the axles.
Performance figures
Maximum speed: 75 mph (121 km/h)
Power output:
3,040 hp (2,270 kW) Starting
2,500 hp (1,900 kW) Continuous
Tractive effort: T-1: 59,000 lbf (260 kN), T-2: 66,000 lbf (290 kN), T-3: 71,000 lbf (320 kN)
See also:
Electric Locomotives
New York Central T-Motor (Class T-3a) No. 278 preserved south of Albany, NY. No. 278 is the only surviving T-Motor and was built in 1926.
By Sturmovik - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=36053358
Text: wikipedia.org. Images: Public Domain; http://www.commons.wikimedia.org (unless otherwise specified) and 17 U.S. Code § 107 fair use. References: Lewis, Robert G. The Handbook of American Railroads. New York: Simmons-Boardman Publishing Corporation, 1951, 2nd Edition 1956. Site Map Contact webmaster HERE.
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