File:2-8-2+2-8-0 duplex steam locomotive -4576 - Locomotive power increased by indigenous method, Southern News Bulletin, April, 1917.jpg

Deutsch: 2-8-2+2-8-0 duplex steam locomotive -4576 - Locomotive power increased by indigenous method, Southern News Bulletin, April, 1917

SOUTHERN NEWS BULLETIN—APRIL, 1917. LOCOMOTIVE POWER INCREASED BY INGENIOUS METHOD

Duplex Locomotive No. 4576 in Service on the Asheville Division

An ingenious methond of increasing the capacity of lines of excessive grades and curvature without undertaking the expense of reconstruction of the lines or of building bridges capable of sustaining the weight of locomotives much heavier than those now in use has been worked out on the Southern Railway through the introduction of what has been termed the Duplex Locomotive which was originated by officers of the Southern. The Duplex is produced by fitting the running gear and machinery parts of retired mogul or consolidation locomotives under the tenders of Mikados. This is done at a minimum of expense as the engine parts placed under the tender are virtually reclaimed from the scrap heap. As the auxiliary engine is only used on ascending grades, it has been found that the Mikado boiler can supply sufficient steam to operate it when it is needed. However, the Duplex has been worked at its maximum capacity through a period of fifty minutes. Seven engines of the Duplex type are now in service on the Asheville-Hayne line where it is particularly important that the number of trains be kept down to the minimum and that the speed be in-creased as far as possible. The first Duplex made its initial trip in March, 1915.