| The last J class 4-8-4 built in 1950 by the Norfolk & Western East End Shops in Roanoke, VA., sits in streamlined beauty in the Cincinnati yards. The Js were built and designed completely by N&W employees, something that was uncommon on American railroads. The total cost for building the last J's in the group was $251,544 apiece in 1950 (equivalent to $2,441,000 in 2015). According to www.steamlocomotive.com "The most powerful 4-8-4s to run for any railroad, and one of the finest steam locomotive designs ever produced, the Js combined large cylinders, high steam pressure, and low drivers to generate a high tractive effort. Available power increased when boiler pressure was raised later to 300 psi (20.7 bar), yielding an indicated tractive effort of 80,000 lb." Although #613 was scrapped, #611 is the remaining survivor of the J class and resides at the Virginia Museum of Transportation but was rebuilt in 2014-15 to run excursions again. Unknown photographer. |