| This was the original experimental Mikado-type locomotive built by the Reading shops in 1912 to test the 2-8-2 configuration. The loco had 61.5" diameter drivers, 24" x 32" cylinders, and a 215 psi boiler pressure. It exerted 54,772 pounds of tractive effort and it weighed 329,310 pounds. The firebox was 326 square feet, the evaporative heating surface was 4,224 square feet and with the superheater the combined heating surface was 5,217 square feet. The design of this 2-8-2 which was given road number 1700 was deemed to be a success leading to futher Mikados on Reading's roster. No photographer was listed for this nice action shot. |