| Although showing definite signs in this photo of aging,the Milwaukee Road iconic f7 class 4-6-4 streamlinee steam locomoitve was a masterful example of speed and styling during the 1930's-40's. Milwaukee Road called these "Baltics" rather than "Hudsons" and were major contenders for the fastest steam locomotives ever built, as they ran at over 100 miles per hour (160 km/h) daily. One run in January 1941 recorded by a reporter for Trains magazine saw 110 miles per hour (180 km/h) achieved twice—in the midst of a heavy snowstorm. Built by Alco-Schenectady in August of 1938, MILW #100 served well for nearly 21 years before being retired in November of 1949 and presumedly scrapped. Specs - class F7, 84" drivers, impressive 300 psi boiler pressure, 23.5x30" cylinders, engine weight of 415,000 lb, tractive effort of 50,294 lb. No date, location or photographer was listed for this photo so approximates were used. |