N 2-8-0

CLASS N-5-a 2-8-0

This group consisted of sixteen locomotives built by the Schenectady works of the American Locomotive Company in 1923 numbered 460 to 475. The Canadian National class system uses the letter N to identify 2-8-0's with 63 inch drivers but the subclass 5 is odd since the CV N-5-a's are not similar to the CN N-5-a's. The Central Vermont N-5-a's had the same 24x32 inch cylinders as the M-3-a class but both classes had the same 50% haulage rating because the increase in boiler pressure from 180 lbs. to 200 lbs. was offset by the rise in driver size from 57 to 63 inches. Six of the N-5-a's were equipped with Bethlehem auxiliary locomotives (boosters) on the rear tender truck which raised their tractive force to 64,150 lbs. One booster was removed in 1944, one in 1948 and four in 1952. The N-5-a class was financed and owned by the Canadian National and leased to the Central Vermont. Control of the Central Vermont passed from the Grand Trunk to the Canadian National in 1923.

Few railroads were purchasing 2-8-0 type locomotives in 1923, preferring the 2-8-2 type with its greater steaming capacity. The Canadian National owned 365 2-8-2 engines at the start of 1923 and purchased an additional 43 that year. The CN 2-8-2's generally had a hauling capacity of 55%, only ten percent more than the 50% of the CV 2-8-0's. Moreover, the booster equipped N-5-a's could start much more of a load than the CN 2-8-2's without boosters. There were no 2-8-2's on the Central Vermont's roster.

460 photographed by Edwin K. Heath

461 was one of six N-5-a's with a booster on the rear tender truck which produced 14,150 lbs. of tractive force.

Photographed by H. N. Proctor at Alburgh, VT on October 24, 1946.

461 with an exhaust steam injector at St. Albans.

463 with booster on tender at Brattleboro in June 1934.

464 at White River Junction Station (Note ball signal). Photo by S. K. Bolton, Jr.

465 and 470 near Millers Falls, MA in October 1956. Photo by David Bartlett.

465 with a milk train.

466 at the New London engine terminal below the I 95 bridge over the Thames River

467 at Montville, CT on July 17, 1956. Photographed by L. Gordon Eaton.

467 at Montpelier Junction in March, 1949.

468 heads World Of Mirth Shows at Montville, CT September 4, 1956. Photo by L.Gordon Eaton.

469 at St.Albans in May 1956 by Dwight A. Smith.

The coaling tower was duplicated by many model railroaders, including the author of this site, due to the publication of an in-depth construction article in the Model Railroader in the Nov.,Dec. 1951 and Jan. 1952 issues.

469 at White River Junction in October 1952.

470 at New London with a Worthington feedwater heater.

470 at New London. The New Haven's "Shoreline" is on the higher level across the rear of the photo.

471 at St. Albans in 1939. The ash conveyor is on the right and the coaling tower on the left. The chute from the top of the coaling tower hoist directs coal to a storage area.

471 at Essex Junction in June 1956. Photo by S.K.Bolton,Jr.

472 at Palmer on September 22, 1956. Photo by William E. Wood.

475 near Richford, VT on August 22, 1946. Photo by J. P. Ahrens.

A fan trip with 472 I rode from New London has arrived at the Brattleboro station on May 22, 1955.

Photograph by the Author.

464 is coaled at the Brattleboro coaling tower in May 1954 while fans watch.

Photograph by the Author.