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Norfolk & Western J Class
>The Class J was designed for a maximum tractive effort of 80,000 pounds. Under controlled tests, an average drawbar horsepower of 5,028 was realized at a speed of 41.03 miles per hour.
>Under test conditions, the Class J locomotive propelled a 15-car, 1015-ton passenger train at 110 miles per hour on level tangent track. Performance in regular service was equally impressive, with speeds on straight sections of track reported to approach 100 miles per hour.
>The Class J was mounted on a rigid steel frame cast by General Steel Castings Corporation. This huge one-piece casting included not only the complete locomotive frame, but the two cylinders, the mounting brackets for certain auxiliaries and an extended support for the cab
>A unique side-rod-and-driver counter-balancing design permitted speeds in excess of 100 miles per hour with drivers only 70 inches in diameter. According to vibration calculations, the balancing theoretically would have allowed speeds of up to 140 miles per hour without rail damage.
>Mechanical pressurized lubrication systems could operate 1300 miles between refills, feeding oil to 220 points. Grease fittings were located to allow fast relubrication of 72 points.
