Streamlining the old steam locomotives served several purposes. It was seen as a backup strategy for the diesel engines, which were initially met with skepticism compared to the trusted steam engines. It was also a more cost-effective solution than purchasing new diesel locomotives. Additionally, the streamlined designs were believed to allow for a 2-10% increase in weight capacity.
Of course, the fact that these locomotives were also visually striking was an added bonus.
In 1934, the New York Central Railroad turned to industrial designer Henry Dreyfuss, who had only been working in design since 1929. Dreyfuss created the sleek, Hudson-type streamlined steam locomotives built by Alco, which were used for the iconic 20th Century Limited passenger trains. His work wasn’t limited to locomotives; Dreyfuss also designed airplanes, buses, and other vehicles.
You might also recognize some of his other famous designs, including the Princess™ phone, the Perisphere at the 1939-40 New York World’s Fair, and the Strategy Rooms at the Pentagon. However, Dreyfuss is particularly beloved by 2-cylinder enthusiasts for his design of the 1939 Model A and B John Deere tractors.
The streamlined, Art Deco-inspired shell of the locomotive was designed by Raymond Loewy. In 1937, officials at the Pennsylvania Railroad decided to replace their aging K4s locomotives with a new passenger engine.
Thus, the PRR S1 experimental steam locomotive was born, earning the nickname “The Big Engine.” It remains the largest rigid-frame passenger locomotive ever built.
The S1 was unique for its 6-4-4-6 wheel arrangement, the only locomotive ever constructed with this configuration. Additionally, the S1 class was a duplex locomotive, meaning it featured two pairs of cylinders, each driving a pair of driving wheels. Unlike similar articulated locomotives, the S1’s wheelbase was rigid, providing greater stability.
Crews appreciated the S1 for its exceptionally smooth ride. The locomotive’s immense mass and inertia helped absorb bumps and surging that were commonly felt with other duplex designs.
Despite its impressive features, the 6100 was taken out of service in 1944, just four years after its debut, and was ultimately scrapped in 1949.
The final construction cost of the S1 totaled $669,780.00.
The S1 was completed on January 31, 1939, and assigned locomotive number 6100. It was the largest express passenger locomotive ever constructed. The cast steel locomotive bedplate, made by General Steel Castings, was the largest single-piece casting ever produced for a locomotive and was so heavy that six-wheel leading and trailing trucks were added for support. The locomotive’s massive size made it impossible to navigate the track clearances on most of the Pennsylvania Railroad’s system. As a result, it was limited in its service to the main line between Chicago, Illinois, and Crestline, Ohio.
To truly grasp the size of this locomotive, consider the Big Boy—often regarded as the “largest” steam locomotive ever built. The Big Boy measured over 132 feet long. However, unlike the Big Boy, which was an articulated locomotive, the S1 was a rigid-frame design and still measured an astonishing 140 feet in length!
The S1 was prominently displayed at the 1939 New York World’s Fair. To get the locomotive to the fairgrounds, it had to take a circuitous route via the Long Island Rail Road. Along the way, many obstacles had to be temporarily removed, and others were passed at a slow crawl to accommodate the immense size of the S1. This careful journey made its arrival at the fairgrounds a true spectacle, highlighting both the engineering marvel and the challenges of transporting such a massive machine.
Here it is at the 1939 Worlds Fair with the Boy Scouts giving it a look
At the World’s Fair the S1 was a dynamic display; the drive wheels operated under the locomotive’s own steam power. This was done by placing the S1 on a platform that had rollers under the drive wheels. By using this type of display, visitors could see the duplex drive in use.
In 1941, renowned designer Otto Kuhler streamlined a 1923 Alco Pacific locomotive for the Southern Railway, specifically for use on its Tennessean train. This train, in partnership with the Pennsylvania and Norfolk & Western railroads, provided a crucial connection between New York and Memphis. One of the Southern Railway’s bright green Pacific locomotives is now on display at the Smithsonian Museum, and the Tennessean locomotive combined this signature green color scheme with the sleek, bullet-like styling inspired by the B&O Royal Blue. The result was a strikingly modern and efficient locomotive design, blending functionality with visual appeal.
very faintly on the stripe down the side you can make out the words Frisco Lines
The Crusader covered the ninety miles between Jersey City and Philadelphia in a flat 90 minutes, achieving an average speed of 60 mph. Its unique double-ended design meant that it didn’t require turning at the terminals, making the operation more efficient. Instead of turning the locomotive, the Reading simply reversed the power and swapped the seats in the cars for the return trip to Philadelphia. This streamlined approach helped save time and improve overall service.
below: The Empire State Express info about it at http://www.dieselpunks.org/profiles/blogs/sunday-streamline-29-dreyfuss
A design by Dreyfuss
Following the success of the streamlined Mercury trains, the New York Central decided to introduce entirely new trainsets on its Chicago line. In 1938, the railroad commissioned industrial designer Henry Dreyfuss to create streamlined train sets in the iconic Art Deco style.
Dreyfuss’s design became one of the most famous American passenger trains of all time: the 20th Century Limited. This train was built not just for function but for flair, perfectly embodying the sophistication and glamour of New York City. Tailored to appeal to young executives and the emerging “new money” class, the 20th Century Limited was a symbol of style and luxury. Its popularity was so immense that the New York Central often had to run two trains, one in each direction, to meet the high demand.
