Great Northern W-1

Specifications
Specifications
Configuration:;
• Whyte	0-4-8-8-4-0OE
• AAR	B-D+D-B
• UIC	(Bo′Do′)(Do′Bo′)
Gauge	4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm)
Wheel diameter	42 in (1.1 m)
Minimum curve	17 degrees (locomotive only); 10 degrees (with train)
Length	101 ft (31 m)
Height	15 ft 6 in (4.72 m)
Adhesive weight	720,000 lb (330 t)
Loco weight	720,000 lb (330 t)
Electric system/s	11 kV, 25 Hz AC
Current pickup(s)	Pantograph
Traction motors	12 GE 746 of 420 hp (310 kW)
Transmission	AC Synchronous motors (2×),; DC Generators (4×),; DC traction motors (12×)
Train heating	None
Loco brake	Air/Regenerative
Train brakes	Air

Type and origin
Type and origin
Power type	Electric
Builder	GE Erie Works
Serial number	28448, 28449
Build date	June 1947
Total produced	2

Great Northern W-1
Great Northern W-1
Power type
Type and origin
Power type	Electric
Builder	GE Erie Works
Serial number	28448, 28449
Build date	June 1947
Total produced	2
Configuration:;
Specifications
Configuration:;
• Whyte	0-4-8-8-4-0OE
• AAR	B-D+D-B
• UIC	(Bo′Do′)(Do′Bo′)
Gauge	4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm)
Wheel diameter	42 in (1.1 m)
Minimum curve	17 degrees (locomotive only); 10 degrees (with train)
Length	101 ft (31 m)
Height	15 ft 6 in (4.72 m)
Adhesive weight	720,000 lb (330 t)
Loco weight	720,000 lb (330 t)
Electric system/s	11 kV, 25 Hz AC
Current pickup(s)	Pantograph
Traction motors	12 GE 746 of 420 hp (310 kW)
Transmission	AC Synchronous motors (2×),; DC Generators (4×),; DC traction motors (12×)
Train heating	None
Loco brake	Air/Regenerative
Train brakes	Air
Maximum speed
Performance figures
Maximum speed	65 mph (105 km/h)
Power output	5,000 hp (3,700 kW)
Tractive effort	119,000 lbf (530 kN)
Operators
Career
Operators	Great Northern Railway
Class	W-1
Number in class	2
Numbers	5018, 5019
Delivered	1947
Retired	August 1956
Scrapped	1968, 1959
Disposition	5018 sold to Union Pacific in 1960, rebuilt in 1962, and scrapped in 1968.; 5019 scrapped in 1959.

The W-1 was a class of electric locomotive used by the Great Northern Railway. They were constructed to haul trains on the 73-mile (117 km) electrified portion of the railroad across the Cascade Mountains from Wenatchee, Washington to Skykomish, Washington, including the Cascade Tunnel. Only two locomotives were built, and they had an AAR B-D+D-B wheel arrangements.

The locomotives were built at General Electric's Erie works in 1947, and were numbered 5018 and 5019. They were powered by two W-1 motor-generators, with a total 5,000 horsepower (3.7 MW), and at that time were the largest single-unit electric locomotives used in North America. The engines share a great resemblance to the Virginian EL-2B locomotives.

Both locomotives were retired in August 1956 when the electrification system was switched off and diesel locomotives started operating. Unit 5019 was scrapped in 1959. Unit 5018 was sold to the Union Pacific, who used its body and running gear as part of the unsuccessful experimental coal burning turbine-electric locomotive #80. It was eventually scrapped in 1968.

References

Train Shed Cyclopedia. Newton K. Gregg. 1978. ISBN 0-912318-99-6.
Keyes, Norman C. Jr.; Middleton, Kenneth R. (Autumn 1980). "The Great Northern Railway Company: All-Time Locomotive Roster, 1861–1970". Railroad History. 143 (143). Boston, Mass.: Railway and Locomotive Historical Society: 117. ISSN 0090-7847. JSTOR 43523930.
Ringnalda, Ben (2005). "Great Northern Empire - Then and Now". www.GreatNorthernEmpire.net. Retrieved 2009-03-29.
Ross, Don. "Don's Rail Photos - Great Northern Ry". donsdepot.donrossgroup.net. Archived from the original on 2015-12-08. Retrieved 2015-12-03.
"GN W-1 Operators Manual GEJ-1185". Retrieved 2009-03-29.