A big Locomotive - 1880

From the Niles Democrat, May 29, 1880

The gigantic forty-three ton engine, just completed at the locomotive works, was brought out for the first time Wednesday. It is the largest engine owned by the Michigan Central company, and it is expected to pull a train of 20 passenger coaches or 55 freight cars and make regular time without difficulty.

The drive wheels of this monster are 5½ feet in diameter and in the casting weight 2,800 pounds each, the engine trucks are 30 inches; tender, 33; cylinders 18x24 giving 24 inch stroke; fire-box 6 feet long, and the side rods eight feet six inches. Her water tank will hold 3,200 gallons of water, sufficient for a 50 mile run, and she will carry nine tons of coal, which will drive her 150 miles.

She is furnished with Partial's patent lubricators and also with Westinghouse brakes, which can be applied to her driving wheels. Her weight is about 5 tons greater than that of standard engines, and her cost approximately estimated is about $7,000. 

She is finished in black and will be known as No. 20, the engine of that number now on duty at Michigan City having been condemned on account of age. Frank Billings, an experienced and excellent engineer, will have charge of the new locomotive and Alex Brown will act as his fireman.

No. 20 will be set at work immediately hauling freight trains, and after she has been run 1,500 miles to get her machinery in good working condition, she will enter the passenger service. 

Yesterday when all was ready to move her from the roundhouse out upon the track, Superintendent brown entered the cab and was the first to pull her throttle and set her wheels in motion. She traversed the track up and down the yard during the afternoon and attracted a good deal of attention. The noble machine is a compliment to the skillful workmen who built it, and to Manager Edgerly who superintended its construction. [NDEM-1880-0529]