USRA Light Mikado

The USRA Light Mikado was a USRA standard class of steam locomotive designed under the control of the United States Railroad Administration, the nationalized railroad system in the United States during World War I. This was the standard light freight locomotive of the USRA types, and was of 2-8-2 wheel arrangement in the Whyte notation, or 1′D1′ in UIC classification.

A USRA Light Mikado type locomotive donated to the Museum of Transportation by the Chicago and Illinois Midland Railway

USRA Light Mikado
Type and origin Power type Steam Builder ALCO, Baldwin, Lima Build date 1918-1929 Total produced 698 originals plus 641 copies
Specifications Configuration: ​  • Whyte 2-8-2  • UIC 1′D1′ h2 Gauge 4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge Leading dia. 33 in (0.838 m) Driver dia. 63 in (1.600 m) Trailing dia. 43 in (1.092 m) Wheelbase locomotive: 36 ft 1 in (11.00 m) + tender: 71 ft 4 1⁄2 in (21.76 m) Adhesive weight 220,000 lb (99,800 kg)[1] Loco weight 292,000 lb (132,000 kilograms; 132 metric tons) Tender weight 185,400 lb (84,100 kilograms; 84.1 metric tons) Total weight 477,400 lb (216,500 kilograms; 216.5 metric tons) Fuel type Coal Fuel capacity 16 t (16 long tons; 18 short tons) Water cap 10,000 US gal (38,000 l; 8,300 imp gal) Boiler pressure 200 psi (1.38 MPa) Cylinders Two Cylinder size 26 in × 30 in (660 mm × 762 mm) Valve gear Walschaerts
Performance figures Maximum speed 30-59 Mph Tractive effort 54,724 lbf (243.42 kN)
Career Preserved 7

General arrangement drawing.

A total of 698 locomotives were built under the auspices of the USRA,[1] with a further 641 copies built after the end of the USRA's control. The first, for the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, was completed in July 1918 and given #4500. The locomotives were considered well designed and modern, and were popular and successful. Large numbers remained in service until replaced by diesel locomotives. It was also called the McAdoo Mikado after William Gibbs McAdoo, head of the USRA.

With later copies, over 50 railroads used the type, including the following:

Copies:

Nine USRA light mikados both originals and copies are preserved. These are Frisco 4003 at the Fort Smith Trolley Museum in Fort Smith, Arkansas, Frisco 4018 at the Sloss Furness in Birmingham, Alabama, Nickel Plate Road 587 at the Indiana Transportation Museum in Noblesville, Indiana, Nickel Plate Road 624 at Hammond, Indiana, but is now being relocated to Headwaters Junction,[31] Nickel Plate Road 639 in Miller Park at Bloomington, Illinois, Baltimore and Ohio 4500 at the B&O Railroad Museum in Baltimore, Maryland, Grand Trunk Western 4070 at Midwest Railway Preservation Society in Cleveland, Ohio, Union Pacific 2537 at Jefferson Park in Walla Walla, Washington, and C&IM 551 at the St. Louis Transportation Museum.