Designed by Lines West at Fort Wayne around 1919, the N-1s was the largest single engine locomotive on the PRR at the time. Some were used to haul 86 ore cars from Lake Erie to steel furnaces to the south at 35 MPH. A few years back, Carey offered a lead alloy boiler and a brass extension for a Penn-Line I-1s frame to construct one.
The original mechanism hit close to 90 SMPH with a 29:1 gear ratio and a DC71 motor. The new desired ratio should be about 90 / 29 * 35 = 74.57. However 72 is the closest ratio using NWSL 72 DP gears, this should yield a top no load speed of 90 / 72 * 29 = 43.75. Under load, the speed would be reduced closer to 35. A double reduction similar to the one, outlined under the pillowblock mount., was used with the 40-20-36 combination. As shown below, the motor tilt had to be changed and adjusted by shimming.
Note: Adjust brightness and contrast for optimum viewing.
Loco during test stage before detailing and new cylinders.
Since Penn-Line used 27 x 28" K-4 cylinders, MAKING NEW CYLINDERS was in order, to achieve the N-1 30 x 32" bulk. A major problem has been finding the correct tender, without scratch building one. A GEM tender was finally found.
