I've been curious about something I've read here and there; when they talk of engine terminals and shops in steam days there is mention that a particular shop can handle class 3, 4, or 5 repairs....what does each class signify? I assume class 5 being a heavy repair. Thanks. Larry F.
From the Locomotive Cyclopedia Class 1: New Boiler or back end, flues, new or reset Class 2: New firebox, one or more shell course; or roof sheet, flues new or reset; tires turned or new Class 3: Flues all new or reset (superheater flues may be excepted), necessary repairs to firebox and boiler, tires turned or new Class 4: Flues part of full set, light repairs to boiler, machinery and tender Class 5: Tires turned or new, necessary repairs to boiler, machinery, and tender; one or more pairs of driving wheel bearings refitted All classes include general repairs to machinery: driving wheels removed, tires turned or changed, journals turned, and all driving boxes and rods overhauled and bearings refitted, and all other repairs necessary for full term service.
THANKS Karl !--I've read about "class" repairs for years and never ran across a really clear explanation until now. Tom G.
Which locations of Frisco shops could make all Classes of repairs to steam locos? Thanks, Frisco 1515
The question that asks at what locations could all class repairs, one through five, be performed, might also need also to ask about actual practice vs capability. The attached map was published for the investor representatives, who rode the Investors’ Special of 1955. The map shows the end of steam locations that had mechanical forces dedicated to steam locomotive maintenance. While it doesn’t answer the question, it does show where the Frisco tended to its steam locomotive fleet. Some of the locations shown, such as Beaumont, KS, did not have the required facilities (drop pit) to effect any “class repairs”, and these forces would have performed only minor mechanical repairs and servicing to keep things running. The "subdivision" roundhouses such as Chaffee, Ft Scott, Ft Smith, et al, had drop pits and could handle Class 3 - Class 5 repairs. The question then becomes what was the Frisco’s practice. Just because the capability to drop drivers existed at a given location didn’t necessarily mean that the Frisco performed Class 3 – Class 5 at these locations. Off the top of my head, I know of two locations that had boiler shops, the West Shops in Springfield and 19[SUP]th[/SUP] Street in Kansas City. These two locations would be likely candidates as locations, which could perform Class 1 – Class 5 repairs. Again, actual practice may have been different. If I had to bet the farm, I wager that the West Shops handled most of the Class 1 and Class 2 repairs. It's an interesting question, that requires further research.
Hi Karl, Were these classes established by the ICC as part of the valuation process? Presumably they applied to most/all railroads if they were established by the government. John Sanders
