The Chicago and North Western Class D was a 4-4-2 type locomotive built by the ALCO Schenectady shops from 1900-1908. The D's were the workhorse of the C&NW, from hauling crack passenger trains on the Chicago and North Western railroad including the "Overland Limited" passenger service in conjunction with the SP & UP, to doing local commuter trains the locomotives had a long working career of 31–56 years. The Omaha Road purchased seven of these classifying them as G-3s.
History[]
In the early 1900's the Chicago & North Western needed a new type of engine starting in 1900 they first ordered 6 of these locomotive, then the following years 1901 (x10), 1902 (x12), 1903 (x10), 1904 (x12), 1905 (x10), 1906 (x13) 1907 (x10) and finally in 1908 they ordered their last batch of 15 making a total of 92 locomotives. With a tractive effort of 21,827 to 22,100 lbs. these engines were capable of pulling 4000 tons in a ten wooden cars over 138 miles between Chicago and Clinton. Later when steel replaced wood the locomotives were demoted to commuter, suburban and local trains.
Disposition[]
From 1931 to 1956 members of the class were scrapped sporadically in between one another. C&NW 1015 is the only surviving D around although be it in really poor condition.
Gallery[]
