| Chicago Burlington & Quincy Railroad 2-6-2 Class R-3 1721 presumed at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, sometime in 1902, photograph by Baldwin Locomotive Works, Chuck Zeiler collection. Fifty of these class R-3 2-6-2 Prairie types were built by Baldwin for the CB&Q during 1902, assigned road numbers 1721-1770. During the 1904 systemwide renumbering, the R-3's became road numbers 1800-1849. Similar to the class R-2's, but with 14" more boiler tube length, they had 21"X26" cylinders, piston valves actuated by Stephenson valve gear, 69" drivers, capable of both passenger and freight assignments, total engine weight was 181,920 pounds, and could develop a tractive force of 28,200 pounds. Some of the R-3's were converted to class G-9 and G-9-A 0-6-0 switchers, but this one remained a 2-6-2 until retired in December 1928. I could be wrong but I believe this was the last application of the rigid frame trailing truck on a CB&Q locomotive. The trailing truck did not swivel, rather the axle bearings had enough slop built in to allow movement laterally within the journal boxes to account for curvature in the track. |