Great Northern 1355 facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Great Northern 1355 |
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| [[Image:Great Northern locomotive 1355 2.JPG | alt=]] | |
| GN1355, displayed at Milwaukee Railroad Shop in Sioux City, Iowa | ||
| Power type | Steam | |
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| Reference Data is for H-5, post 1924 |
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| Builder | Baldwin Locomotive Works | |
| Serial number | 33908 | |
| Total production | 25 | |
| Configuration | 1909: 4-6-0 1924: 4-6-2 |
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| Gauge | 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in) | |
| Leading wheel diameter | 36 in (914 mm) | |
| Driver diameter | 73 in (1,854 mm) | |
| Trailing wheel diameter | 45 in (1,143 mm) | |
| Axle load | 58,666 lb (26,610 kilograms; 26.610 metric tons) | |
| Weight on drivers | 164,000 lb (74 t) | |
| Locomotive weight | 271,800 lb (123 t) | |
| Tender weight | 188,400 lb (85 t) | |
| Locomotive and tender combined weight | 460,200 lb (209 t) | |
| Fuel type | both coal and oil - four conversions | |
| Boiler pressure | 200 psi (1 MPa) | |
| Cylinders | 2 | |
| Cylinder size | 23.5 in × 30 in (597 mm × 762 mm) | |
| Tractive effort | 38,500 lbf (171 kN) | |
| Factor of adhesion | 4.26 | |
| Number in class | 25 | |
| Delivered | October 16, 1909 | |
| First run | November 19, 1909 | |
| Retired | July 1955 | |
| Current owner | City of Sioux City, Iowa | |
| Disposition | Static display | |
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Great Northern Railway Steam Locomotive No. 1355 and Tender 1451
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 Location in Iowa
Location in the United States
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| Location | 3400 Sioux River Rd., Sioux City, Iowa | |
| NRHP reference No. | 04001352 | |
| Added to NRHP | December 15, 2004 | |
The Great Northern Railway 1355 is a cool old steam train that was built in 1909. It was made by a company called Baldwin Locomotive Works for the Great Northern Railway in the United States. This powerful engine was used to pull both cargo and passenger trains across the country. It even pulled famous trains like the Empire Builder!
Contents
Meet the Great Northern 1355
A Powerful Steam Engine
The Great Northern 1355 is a standard gauge locomotive. This means it runs on tracks that are a specific width apart. When it was first built, it was a "4-6-0" type. This number system, called Whyte notation, tells you how many wheels a train has. The "4" means it had four small wheels at the front. The "6" means it had six big driving wheels in the middle. These are the wheels that move the train. The "0" means it had no wheels at the back. This type of train was also known as a Ten-Wheeler.
From Ten-Wheeler to Pacific: A Big Change
In 1924, the Great Northern 1355 went through a huge upgrade. It was almost like getting a brand new engine! Many parts were replaced or added. For example, it got a new Belpaire firebox, which is where the fuel burns to create steam. It also received a longer boiler and a special part called a superheater to make the steam even hotter and more powerful.
The biggest change was to its wheels. It got new wheels at the front and a new "Delta trailing truck" at the back. This made it a "4-6-2" type locomotive. The "2" means it now had two small wheels at the back. This new setup made it a "Pacific" type train, which was often used for faster passenger service. The train also had its fuel system changed several times, switching between burning coal and oil.
Its Busy Working Life
After its big rebuild in 1924, the Great Northern 1355 was sent to work on passenger routes. It was renumbered to 1355 in April 1926. For a while, it mainly pulled the Oriental Limited, another famous passenger train, in places like Butte, Montana.
Before its rebuild, the locomotive spent its first ten years working near Hillyard, Washington, and then in Spokane. In its final two years of service, from 1953 to 1955, it worked hard hauling heavy iron ore. This was in the Mesabi Range, an area known for mining.
A New Home in Sioux City
In late 1954, the city of Sioux City, Iowa asked the Great Northern Railway for a steam locomotive to display. The Great Northern 1355 was chosen, and it was delivered to the city in July 1955. This was a special moment, as it meant the train would be preserved instead of being scrapped.
In 1995, the locomotive was moved to the old Milwaukee Road Shops and Roundhouse in Sioux City. There, it has been carefully restored to look its best. It's now a static display, meaning it doesn't run anymore, but you can still see it and learn about its history. In 2004, this historic train was officially added to the National Register of Historic Places. It's listed as the Great Northern Railway Steam Locomotive No. 1355 and Tender 1451.
