Steam & Excursion > Averge size of tender wheels on large tenders?

working on a design of a steam locomotive with a fairly large tender (8 axles sitting on 2 4 axle bolsters) and was wondering what is the average wheel diameter for very large tenders deisgned for use with large steam engines? examples like N&W 1218, ATSF's 2900 class northern's, UP's centipede tenders. would 36" wheels be too small? or right for very large locomotive tenders? or would be 40 or 42" wheels be more realistic?

Bill Hemb

Will Hemb
Flower Mound, TX

Bill, that's a good question. When a photo of a locomotive with builder's data is published, they have every dimension and statistic in the books, EXCEPT the tender wheel diameter. The only one I can confirm for sure is a New York Central six axle tender for a 4-8-2 Mohawk. They were 41 inches. The only tenders I know of with a four axle truck are ATSF 2900's and the rear truck on the C&O Allegheny. Maybe someone on this board is involved in the 2926 restoration and can measure them for us.

According to drawings in Kratville's The Mighty 800 the UP FEF-1 tenders had six wheel trucks with 36" wheels.

The UP FEF-2 and FEF-3 centipede tenders featured 42" wheels.

Hope this helps.

Bob

N&W 1218 2-6-6-4 36"
ATSF 2900's 4-8-4 42"
UP 4-6-6-4, 4-8-8-4 Centipedes 42"
UP 4-6-6-4 semi-vanderbilt 36"
UP FEF-3 4-8-4 Centipedes 42"
NP A4, A5 4-8-4 Centipedes 42"
NP Z5 2-8-8-4 36"
DMIR M3, M4 2-8-8-4 Centipedes 42"
PRR T1 4-4-4-4 36"
SP AC9 4-8-8-2 36"
N&W J 4-8-4 36"
NYC S1 4-8-4 Centipedes 41" (Yup, 41")
SP GSx 4-8-4 36"
MILW F6a 4-6-4 33"
NYC J3a 4-6-4 36"
B&M R1d 4-8-2 Centipede 42"
NYC L3, L4 41"

thanks very much for the info!

Will Hemb
Flower Mound, TX