Steam Locomotive, Southern Railway 1401

Description: The 4-6-2 "Pacific" type steam locomotive for passenger trains was introduced late in the 19th century and perfected after 1910. It was among the most numerous type of steam locomotive for passenger trains operated in the United States from about 1910 to 1955. This type was characterized by four leading or "pilot" wheels, arranged in a "truck" to guide the locomotive in curves; 6 large-diameter driving wheels for power and speed; and a pair of "trailing wheels" in a "trailing truck" under the rear of the engine to help support its great weight.

Far from ordinary, the Class Ps-4-type steam locomotives of the Southern Railway were inspired by handsomely painted British locomotives. The Ps-4's green and gold livery set these locomotives apart from the funereal black associated with most American steam locomotives in the 20th century. The distinctive green was exclusive to locomotives on the Southern Railway that were assigned to the company's principal passenger trains, such as the Crescent Limited, the Piedmont Limited, and others.

The Charlotte Division was part of the Southern's Washington–Atlanta mainline, with extension of the mainline to Birmingham and New Orleans on track leased by Southern. The Charlotte Division included the line between Greenville, S.C., and Salisbury/Spencer, N.C. Thus the 1401 rarely, if ever, ran north of Spencer, home of the Southern's vast Spencer Shops for the heavy repair of locomotives from throughout the system.

A Ps-4 was capable of hauling 12–15 steel passenger cars, about 700–1000 tons, at 80 mph on level track. (The hill-and-dale profile of the Charlotte Division, however, kept average speeds to about 50–60 mph.) The 14,000 gallons of water in the tender permitted runs of about 150 miles—the full length of the Division—between water stops, although there would be one intermediate water stop normally scheduled. Fuel (16 tons of bituminous coal) in the tender was good for the full 150 miles.

Object Name: locomotive, steam

locomotive

locomotive, passenger

Date made: 1926

user: Southern Railway

maker: American Locomotive Company. Richmond Works

Physical Description: bronze (overall material)

steel (overall material)

green (overall color)

Measurements: overall: 15 ft x 10 ft x 92 ft; 4.572 m x 3.048 m x 28.0416 m

Place Made: United States: Virginia, Richmond

ID Number: TR*320000

accession number: 196330

catalog number: 320000.01

accession number: 196330

subject: Transportation

Railroads

See more items in: Work and Industry: Transportation, Railroad

Exhibition: America on the Move

Data Source: National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center

Visitor Comments

11/14/2012 12:30:27 PM

E. Martin

My grandfather Red Nesbit drove this locomotive back and forth between Greenville, SC and Spencer, NC for many years. Yes, the 1401. Both my grandfathers, my father and myself all worked for Southern Railway. I have lots of railway stuff but probably the coolest one is a bell off the 1400 class loco. Yes a beautiful brass bell just like the one in your picture of the famous 1401.

11/14/2012 12:31:26 PM

D. Parsons

Well seeing as I am a steam locomotive buff, I have to say that to see a locomotive like this, even though she may not be under steam, it's still nice to see it at least preserved and saved from being cut up for scrap. One can only imagine what it must have been like to pull the throttle out on ol' 1401...I wish I was in her cab right now.

11/14/2012 12:33:27 PM

J. Austell

My Father, Joseph H. Austell was the engineer on the Crescent Limited for over 35 years! He drove it from Greenville, SC to Spencer, NC. I remember well meeting him at the station many times. He told me many tales of his experiences and keeping hobos off the coal tender was often mentioned. They would try to get on when the engine was taking on water at the terminal. I still have his Hamilton Gold railroad watch which still keeps perfect time. I have donated the shovel his fireman, Leaper Thompson, used. I also still have the one used for stoking the fire. He would leave Greenville on one day, go to Spencer, spend the night, and come back to Greenvile and then have one day off. It was 15 days per month schedule. I remember well him getting a call and saying No 37 or No. 38 was on time. We lived on Washington St which was on the same street with the station. Mother kept a scrap book and I have many clipping about the train.

11/14/2012 12:34:13 PM

W. Davis

My father W.J. Davis was a fireman on this locomotive in his early 20's. He loved his job through the steam years. My father commuted from Columbia SC and for years worked in Charlotte for Southern. He passed away as NS Terminal Trainmaster at Charlotte in 1987.

11/14/2012 12:35:02 PM

H. Ray

My dad, Robert R. Ray, Jr., was general forman with Southern in Atlanta in 1961 and was in charge of moving the 1401 into the museum. He took my brother and me to Washington for the move. The "dark" picture showing the cab (6th Street) also shows my dad, my brother and me (Bob and I have the fuzzy ear-muff hats on and are wearing white socks).