#811 is one of thirty-five Class 789 Consolidation type (2-8-0) locomotives built for the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe in 1901 by Burnham, Williams & Co., an early incarnation of the Baldwin Locomotive Works (#789-#823). They were built as Vauclain compounds with a 17” x 32” high pressure cylinder and
28” x 32” low pressure cylinder, with piston rods moving in parallel to drive a common crosshead.
Compounding using various different designs was popular at the turn of the 20th Century, touted as producing greater economy due to lower fuel and water consumption. However, in practice, uneven forces produced excess wear, which increased maintenance costs offsetting any fuel economies.
With a 15’ 4” driver wheelbase and 24’ 6” engine wheelbase, the as-built 789 Class weighed 202,360 lbs, 180,440 lbs on the 57” drivers, equipped with Stephenson valve gear. The grate was 47.4 sq ft, the firebox 157.3 sq ft and total heating surface was 2,930 sq ft. Operating at a boiler pressure of 210 psi, they delivered 42,321 lbs tractive effort. The tender weighed 117,390 lbs light with a capacity of 6,000 gallons of water.
The class was simpled in 1912 with 24” x 32” cylinders. Engine weight went up to 230,115 lbs but dropped to 179,965 lbs on the drivers. The grate dropped slightly to 47.2 sq ft, but the firebox grew to 178.2 sq ft. Total heating surface grew slightly to 2,950 sq ft and the boiler pressure was dropped to 180 psi. However, overall, tractive effort rose by 15% to 49,475 lbs.
#811 was converted to burn oil in Topeka, KS, in 1923. It was donated to the City of Atchison, KS, in 1954 and is part of the Atchison Rail Museum collection on S 10th St.
