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'''New York Central and Hudson River Railroad No. 999''' is a [[4-4-0]] “[[4-4-0|American]]” type [[steam locomotive]] built for the [[New York Central and Hudson River Railroad]] in 1893, which was intended to haul the road's [[Empire State Express]] train service. It is claimed that in 1893 No. 999 was the first locomotive in the world to travel over 100 mph, although some dispute the accuracy of this record.
'''New York Central and Hudson River Railroad No. 999''' is a [[4-4-0]] “American” type [[steam locomotive]] built for the [[New York Central and Hudson River Railroad]] in 1893, which was intended to haul the road's [[Empire State Express]] train service. It was built for high speed and was the first steam locomotive in the world to travel over 100 mph. It was officially clocked by railroad officials when it ran a world record of 112.5 mph on May 10, 1893. The locomotive was then exhibited in the 1893 [[World's Columbian Exposition|Chicago World's Fair]]. There was a two cent US stamp issued representing the world speed record event. Thousands of miniature replica ridable No. 999 locomotives were made for amusement parks worldwide. Manufacturers of electric toy trains designated some of their models No. 999. The original 999 locomotive has been restored and is now a permanent exhibit at the [[Museum of Science and Industry (Chicago)|Museum of Science and Industry]] in Chicago.



==Development==
==Development==
In the early 1890s, the competition between the [[New York Central Railroad|New York Central]] and the [[Pennsylvania Railroad]] was growing fiercely. Their rivalry was particularly noticeable along their Chicago to New York corridors in the years leading to the [[World's Columbian Exposition|Chicago World's Fair]], with both roads trying to provide the swiftest service to the fair. The Pennsylvania had upgraded its Pennsylvania Limited with the most modern and efficient rolling stock of the time. The New York Central similarly upgraded its ''[[Empire State Express]]'' train's rolling stock, however, knowing that this would not be enough, the road began exploring other options so as to outperform its rival.<ref>[http://www.softsource.com/999.html Fleet-wheeled wonder]</ref> To this end came George Henry Daniels, the road's chief public representative officer. He proposed a new locomotive design capable of exceeding the "magical" 100-mph speed barrier, twice the speed of most locomotives of the era.{{cn|date=April 2022}}
In the early 1890s, the competition between the [[New York Central Railroad|New York Central]] and the [[Pennsylvania Railroad]] was growing fiercely. Their rivalry was particularly noticeable along their Chicago to New York corridors in the years leading to the [[World's Columbian Exposition|Chicago World's Fair]], with both roads trying to provide the swiftest service to the fair. The Pennsylvania had upgraded its Pennsylvania Limited with the most modern and efficient rolling stock of the time. The New York Central similarly upgraded its ''[[Empire State Express]]'' train's rolling stock, however, knowing that this would not be enough, the road began exploring other options so as to outperform its rival.<ref>[http://www.softsource.com/999.html Fleet-wheeled wonder]</ref> To this end came George Henry Daniels, the road's chief public representative officer.{{sfn|LSJ4_2|1959|page=48}} He proposed a new locomotive be designed capable of exceeding the 100-mph speed barrier.{{sfn|Holbrook|2016|page=95}}


New York Central's Chief Superintendent of Motive Power & Rolling Stock, William Buchanan, had designed a class of 4-4-0 locomotives known as the Class "I", which were already capable of reaching high speeds, so it was simply a matter of making some modifications to an existing design. In 1893, locomotive #999 rolled out of the New York Central's West Albany Shops.
New York Central's Chief Superintendent of Motive Power & Rolling Stock, William Buchanan, had designed a class of 4-4-0 locomotives known as the Class "I", which were already capable of reaching high speeds, so it was simply a matter of making some modifications to an existing design. In 1893, locomotive #999 was rolled out of the New York Central's West Albany Shops by master mechanic Buchanan.{{sfn|Eula|2022|page=Historian's Note}}


The 999 was mounted on {{convert|86|in|cm|adj=on}} diameter [[driving wheel]]s rather than the {{convert|70|in|cm|adj=on}} mounted on other engines of the class, and was the first of its kind to have brakes mounted to the front truck. The bands, pipes, and trim were highly polished; the boiler, smokestack, domes, cab, and tender were given a black satin finish, and "Empire State Express" was applied to the sides of the tender in {{RailGauge|2ft6in}} high gold leaf lettering.
The 999 was designed from the beginning for speed. It had mounted on {{convert|86|in|cm|adj=on}} diameter [[driving wheel]]s rather than the {{convert|70|in|cm|adj=on}} mounted on other engines of the class, and had its brakes mounted to the front truck as a new concept. The bands, pipes, and trim were highly polished; the boiler, smokestack, domes, cab, and tender were given a satin finish of black, and "Empire State Express" was applied to the sides of the tender in {{RailGauge|2ft6in}} high gold leaf lettering.{{sfn|Eula|2022|page=Historian's Note}}
[[Image:NYC 999.jpg|thumb|left|200px|New York Central and Hudson River Railroad No. 999, the "Queen of Speed," slows to {{convert|60|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} as it leads the ''Empire State Express'' through [[Palatine, New York]]]]


==World's fair and later service==
==World's fair and later service==
[[File:Panama-Pacific Train die proof 2c 1915 issue.jpg|thumb|left|upright 0.6|1901 U.S. stamp]]
No. 999 entered service in 1893, making the trip from [[Syracuse, New York]]. The ''Express'' carried a speed recorder that peaked at 86 miles an hour in April 1893.<ref>The Electrical Engineer 1893 Vol 15 p470</ref> In spite of this, the train was claimed to have reached {{convert|102.8|mph|km/h}} on May 9 and {{convert|112.5|mph|km/h}} (equal to a mile being covered in less than 32 seconds) on May 10, between [[Batavia, New York|Batavia]] and Buffalo, based on milepost timings by enthusiastic newspaper reporters and others aboard the train.<ref>The effort is reported by New York Central steam locomotive historian Alvin F. Staufer on pages 70-75 of his 1967 book New York Central Early Power</ref> This record would make No. 999 the first object on wheels to exceed 100&nbsp;mph. However, the railway enthusiast and experienced timer of trains J.P. Pearson travelled behind 999 on May 10;{{how|How did he travel behind the train (at the same speed it was going)? In an equally fast train? (Unlikely, by definition.) In a car? On a road directly paralleling the tracks, able to accurately view the railroad mileposts? Again, exceedingly unlikely. This needs explaining to say.|date=April 2022}} he later described the trip in detail in his book ''Railways & Scenery''. He said that the highest speed he recorded between New York and Buffalo was 81 mph sustained for several miles while descending from Batavia to Buffalo, a high speed for a regular passenger train of that era, though one that had been exceeded by other locomotives in special trials.<ref>The Engineer of 7th March 1890 describes a North Eastern Railway J Class 4-2-2 reaching 90 mph.</ref>
No. 999 entered service in 1893, making the trip from [[Syracuse, New York]]. The ''Empire State Express'' carried in April 1893 a speed recorder that peaked at 86 miles an hour.<ref>The Electrical Engineer 1893 Vol 15 p470</ref> The train was operated by engineer Charlie H. Hogan on May 9 when it reached {{convert|101.5|mph|km/h}} going from [[Rochester, New York|Rochester]] to [[Buffalo, New York|Buffalo]], a distance of 69 miles traveled in 68 minutes.{{sfn|Holbrook |2016|page=95}} Word spread quickly of this high speed event and when Hogan operated the train the next day going back to Buffalo large crowds gathered all along the route. This time railroad officials with hand-held stop watches were aboard the train.{{sfn|Flank|2014|page=2014/3/6/1252816}} It took less than 32 seconds for the train to travel between [[Batavia, New York|Batavia]] and Buffalo, as was recorded by those with stop watches that had clocked off mile posts.{{sfn|SGD10_15|1893|page=22}}{{sfn|TABJ10_21|1893|page=4}}{{sfn|GDN6_12|1959|page=4}} The speed of {{convert|112.5|mph|km/h}} run on May 10 was a new world speed record for a steam locomotive.{{sfn|Staufer|1967|pages=70-75}}{{sfn|TBG5_12|1893|page=8}}{{sfn|Eula|2022|page=Historian's Note}} A group of 75 to 100 witnesses knew no others had ever seen such a fast train before and it was immediately telegraphed worldwide.{{sfn|Eula|2022|page=Historian's Note}} Historian [[Stewart Holbrook]] says that all railroad historians agreed that no train had ever gone this fast before.{{sfn|Holbrook |2016|page=95}}
{{clear}}
[[File:Miniature Railway at Manly around 1906 (02).jpg|thumb|right|upright 0.99|Miniature ridable No. 999, circa 1906]]
[[File:1955 toy train.jpg|thumb|upright 1.0|1955 electric toy train '999' engine]]
The 112.5 mile per hour world speed record had not been exceeded yet by 1921.{{sfn|TRI11_10|1921|page=5}}{{sfn|TNSJ8_14|1921|page=25}}{{sfn|TBT7_15|1923|page=66}} It kept this speed traveling for over a mile on the railroad tracks.{{sfn|ADB6_12|1959|page=1}}{{sfn|NJ12_12|1936|page=4}}{{sfn|TSP6_12|1959|page=1}} The railroad engineer driving the locomotive had a competent fireman that fed the coals needed for the engine furnace.{{sfn|LB11_14|1939|page=4}}{{sfn|TEN6_23|1933|page=4}}{{sfn|Eula|2022|page=Historian's Note}} This record made No. 999 the first object on wheels to exceed 100&nbsp;mph.{{sfn|CCCNWGA11_4|1893|page=2}}{{sfn|Hollingsworth|1987|page=99}}{{sfn|LSJ4_2|1959|page=48}} The locomotive was the first of a power-driven vehicle traveling faster than the 100 mile-an-hour and was given the designation as the railed rocket by railroad publicity person George Henry Daniels.{{sfn|LSJ4_2|1959|page=48}} He informed the major city newspapers of the 112.5 speed record and it was published nationwide by hundreds of others newspapers.{{sfn|Holbrook |2016|page=95}} Daniels informed the United States [[Postmaster General]] of this feat and a two cent stamp came out picturing the Empire State Express displaying the event with horizontal smoke from the locomotive.{{sfn|Holbrook|2016|page=95}} The locomotive engine and the train of railroad cars it pulled was known as the "world's most glamorous train"{{sfn|TIJ5_10|1943|page=11}} and the "world's most beautiful locomotive ever built."{{sfn|Eula|2022|page=Historian's Note}}


⚫
Daniels arranged to have the 999 locomotive and the Empire State Express train at the 1893 [[World's Columbian Exposition|Chicago World's Fair]].{{sfn|Holbrook |2016|page=95}} Engineer Hogan and the No. 999 locomotive were the star attractions and brought honor to the [[New York Central and Hudson River Railroad]]..{{sfn|Eula|2022|page=Historian's Note}} After the fair the engine continued to pull the ''Empire State Express'' between Buffalo and Syracuse until 1899. When the engine was sent to other parts of the railroad system it was found to be slippery and hard to handle when pulling more than five cars. It was rebuilt with the same 70 inch drivers as the other engines of the class. In the 1920s it was given a new boiler and tender, operating local and branch line trains until 1924, when it was restored for exhibition at the [[Baltimore and Ohio Railroad]]'s "[[Fair of the Iron Horse]]" the following year.{{sfn|Moses|2005|page=920}}
[[File:New York Central Locomotive 1086.jpg|thumb|right|NYC #1086, formerly #999, at an unknown roundhouse sometime around 1920]]


Over 3,000 [[Ridable miniature railway|ridable miniature replicas]] (most of which were made by the Cagney Brothers and thus were referred to as "Cagneys") were made for [[amusement park]] rides. They were used in the United States and as far away as [[South Africa]] and [[Thailand]]. One such unit, nicknamed the "Little Puffer" was in service at the [[San Francisco Zoo|Fleischaker Zoo in San Francisco, California]]. Manufacturers of electric toy train sets began designating No. 999 on their locomotive engines. The original 999 locomotive train engine was exhibited at events that included the 1927 Baltimore Fair of Iron, the 1933 Chicago Century of Progress, the 1934 Chicago Century of Progress, the 1938 Cleveland Exposition, the [[1939 New York World's Fair]], the 1940 New York World's Fair, the 1948 Chicago's Railroad Fair, the 1949 Chicago's Railroad Fair, and the 1952 Genesee County Sesquicentennial.{{sfn|Eula|2022|page=Historian's Note}}
One contemporary magazine stated: "The information as to this seemed at that writing to be authentic, but since then a good deal of doubt, in which we share, has been thrown on the stated performance. We were misinformed as to the use of the speed indicator on the engine for one thing, and a careful consideration of all the conditions make the speed given improbable."<ref>[[American Machinist]], 1st June 1893</ref>

Over 3,000 {{RailGauge|20in}} gauge scale replicas (most of which were made by the Cagney Brothers and thus were referred to as "Cagneys") were sold at $1,500 each and shipped to [[amusement park]]s as far away as [[South Africa]] and [[Thailand]]; one such unit, nicknamed the "Little Puffer" is in service today at the [[San Francisco Zoo|Fleischaker Zoo in San Francisco, California]]. Manufacturers of electric train sets began putting No. 999 on their locomotives.

⚫
After the fair the engine continued to pull the ''Express'' between Buffalo and Syracuse. When the engine was sent to other parts of the road it was found to be slippery and hard to handle when pulling more than five cars. It was rebuilt with the same 70 inch drivers as the other engines of the class. In the 1920s it was given a new boiler and tender, operating local and branch line trains until 1924, when it was restored for exhibition at the [[Baltimore and Ohio Railroad]]'s "[[Fair of the Iron Horse]]" the following year.


==Retirement==
==Retirement==
[[Image:999 at Chicago Museum.jpg|thumb|No. 999 preserved on static display at the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago (2003)]]
[[Image:999 at Chicago Museum.jpg|thumb|left|upright 1.210|[[Museum of Science and Industry (Chicago)|Museum of Science and Industry No. 999]] exhibit]]
Advances in locomotive design, particularly the advent of [[Diesel-electric transmission|diesel-electric]] power, eventually rendered No. 999 obsolete. It was decided as early as 1923 that the locomotive was not going to be scrapped and would be preserved in some manner for its history of setting a speed record of 112.5 miles per hour on May 10, 1893.{{sfn|NCH1_15|1923|page=7}}{{sfn|RDH1_22|1923|page=11}}


Advances in locomotive design, particularly the advent of [[Diesel-electric transmission|diesel-electric]] power, eventually rendered No. 999 obsolete. After touring the nation and making appearances at numerous expositions including the 1948-49 [[Chicago Railroad Fair]], the unit was retired from service in May, 1952 at which time it was relegated to [[classification yard|yard]] [[switcher|switching]] service in western New York shuttling express service [[Refrigerator car#Specialized applications|milk cars]]. At this time, the railroad appeared to turn its back to steam power, and consequently, the majority of their steam engines, including all of their famed [[NYC Hudson|Hudsons]], had been scrapped. However, when the matter of 999 came about, the road saw fit to preserve the famous engine. The New York Central donated the locomotive to the [[Museum of Science and Industry (Chicago)|Chicago Museum of Science and Industry]] in 1962, though it did not arrive at the museum until 1968.
After touring the nation and making appearances at numerous expositions including the 1948-49 [[Chicago Railroad Fair]], the unit was retired from service in May, 1952 at which time it was relegated to [[classification yard|yard]] [[switcher|switching]] service in western New York shuttling express service [[Refrigerator car#Specialized applications|refrigerator railroad cars]]. At this time, the railroad appeared to turn its back to steam power, and consequently, the majority of their steam engines, including all of their famed [[NYC Hudson|Hudsons]], had been scrapped. However, when the matter of 999 came about, the road saw fit to preserve the famous engine. The New York Central donated the locomotive to the [[Museum of Science and Industry (Chicago)|Chicago Museum of Science and Industry]] in 1962, though it did not arrive at the museum until 1968.{{sfn|SG7_3|1968|page=3}}


Once there, while its preservation was assured, the engine was displayed outside where exposure to elements had taken its toll over the years. In 1993, the museum underwent a major renovation. This project included a cosmetic restoration of number 999, and it was placed inside the museum's main hall. The locomotive is displayed with its latter 70" drivers, rather than the original 86" wheels that earned it its claim to fame.<ref name="KUHF">{{cite web| url=http://www.kuhf.org/cdprojects/steam/track12.html| title=Rain, Steam & Speed: Inventing Powered Motion| author=John Lienhard| accessdate=2007-01-28}}</ref>
Once there, while its preservation was assured, the engine was displayed outside where exposure to elements had taken its toll over the years. In 1993, the museum underwent a major renovation. This project included a cosmetic restoration of number 999, and it was placed inside the museum's main hall. The locomotive is displayed with its latter 70" drivers, rather than the original 86" wheels that earned it its claim to fame.<ref name="KUHF">{{cite web| url=http://www.kuhf.org/cdprojects/steam/track12.html| title=Rain, Steam & Speed: Inventing Powered Motion| author=John Lienhard| accessdate=2007-01-28}}</ref> There are about two million visitors annually that see No. 999 at the museum.{{sfn|Eula|2022|page=Historian's Note}}
{{clear}}


==See also==
== References ==
{{Commons|Category:New York Central 999|New York Central 999}}
{{Commons|Category:Miniature Railway Company|Miniature ridable 999 replicas}}
{{Portal|Trains|Chicago}}
{{Portal|Trains|Chicago}}
{{reflist|2}}


==Sources==
*''[[City of Truro]]'' – another claimant for the first 100 mile an hour steam locomotive.
* {{cite book|last=Staufer|first=Alvin F.|year=1967|title=New York Central's Early Power |publisher=Staufer Books & Prints|isbn=9780944513019}}
*[[LNER Class A3 4472 Flying Scotsman|''Flying Scotsman'']] – the first locomotive to reach an authenticated 100 miles an hour.
* {{cite book|last=Hollingsworth|first=John Brian |year=1987|title=The Great Book of Trains|publisher=Portland House|isbn=0-517-64515-7}}

* {{cite book|last=Holbrook|first=Steward H. |year=2016|title=The Story of American Railroads|url=https://www.google.com/books/edition/The_Story_of_American_Railroads/KmYuCwAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=%22He+went+to+work+on+the+Postmaster+General+of+the+United+States%22&pg=PA95&printsec=frontcover|publisher=Dover Publications|isbn=9780486799223}}
==References==
* {{cite book|author=Hollingsworth, Brian and Arthur F. Cook|year=1987|title=The Great Book of Trains|publisher=Portland House, New York, NY|isbn=0-517-64515-7}}
* {{cite book|last=Moses|first=Laura-Eve|year=2005|title=The Encyclopedia of New York State |publisher=Syracuse University Press|isbn=9780815608080}}
*{{cite web|url= https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2014/3/6/1252816/-Empire-State-Express-No-999-First-Locomotive-to-Reach-100-mph |title= Empire State Express No. 999: First Locomotive to Reach 100 mph |first=Lenny |last= Flank |year=2014 |website= 999 |publisher= Daily KOS |access-date=May 17, 2022 }}
* {{cite web|title=''Empire State Express'' No. 999|work=Genesee County, New York|url=http://www.co.genesee.ny.us/dpt/historian/ese999.html|accessdate=March 1, 2006|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20051230202557/http://www.co.genesee.ny.us/dpt/historian/ese999.html|archivedate=December 30, 2005}}
*{{cite web|url= https://www.co.genesee.ny.us/departments/history/empire_state_express_no_999.php |title= ''Empire State Express'' No. 999 |first=Michael J. |last= Eula |year=2022 |website= 999 |publisher= Genesee County History Department |access-date=May 17, 2022 }}
{{Reflist}}
* {{cite news|last=TBG5_12|date=May 12, 1893|title=Postscript / Two Miles A Minute|url= https://www.newspapers.com/clip/101896124/the-boston-globe/ |work=The Boston Globe|page=8|location=Boston, Massachusetts|via=[[Newspapers.com]] {{open access|access-date=May 17, 2022}}}}
* {{cite news|last=CCCNWGA11_4|date=November 4, 1893|title=Exciting Locomotive Race|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/101896801/chester-chronicle-and-cheshire-and/ |work=Chester Chronicle and Cheshire and North Wales General Advertiser| page=2|location=Wales, England|via=[[Newspapers.com]] {{open access|access-date=May 17, 2022}}}}
* {{cite news|last=NCH1_15|date=January 15, 1923|title=Famous High-Speed Locomotive '999' to be Preserved by New York Central|url= https://www.newspapers.com/clip/101897939/new-castle-herald/ |work=New Castle Herald|page=7|location=New Castle, Pennsylvania|via=[[Newspapers.com]] {{open access|access-date=May 17, 2022}}}}
* {{cite news|last=TRI11_10|date=November 10, 1921|title= Historic DeWitt Clinton Train of 1831|url= |work= The Robinson Index| page=5|location=Robinson, Kansas|via=[[Newspapers.com]] {{open access|access-date=May 17, 2022}}}}
* {{cite news|last=RDH1_22|date=January 22, 1923|title= Famous High Speed Locomotive '999' will be Preserved|url= |work= Rutland Daily Herald| page=11|location=Rutland, Vermont|via=[[Newspapers.com]] {{open access|access-date=May 17, 2022}}}}
* {{cite news|last=SGD10_15|date=October 15, 1893|title= A Locomotive Race|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/101907698/st-louis-globe-democrat/ |work= St. Louis Globe Demoncrat| page=22|location=St. Louis, Missouri|via=[[Newspapers.com]] {{open access|access-date=May 17, 2022}}}}
* {{cite news|last=TABJ10_21|date=October 21, 1893|title= A Test of Speed|url= https://www.newspapers.com/clip/101909059/the-akron-beacon-journal/ |work= The Akron Beacon Journal| page=4|location=Arron, Ohio|via=[[Newspapers.com]] {{open access|access-date=May 17, 2022}}}}
* {{cite news|last=TNSJ8_14|date=August 14, 1921|title= Train Speeding yields to safety cry|url= https://www.newspapers.com/clip/101911705/the-nebraska-state-journal/ |work= The Nebraska State Journal| page=25|location=Lincoln, Nebraska|via=[[Newspapers.com]] {{open access|access-date=May 17, 2022}}}}
* {{cite news|last=LSJ4_2|date=April 2, 1959|title= Old '999' to appear here|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/101912460/lansing-state-journal/ |work= Lansing State Journal| page=48|location=Lansing, Michigan|via=[[Newspapers.com]] {{open access|access-date=May 17, 2022}}}}
* {{cite news|last=TBT7_15|date=July 15, 1923|title= Hogan to be honored here; will bring Exhibition Train here|url= https://www.newspapers.com/clip/101913072/the-buffalo-times/ |work= The Buffalo Times| page=66|location=Buffalo, New York|via=[[Newspapers.com]] {{open access|access-date=May 17, 2022}}}}
* {{cite news|last=ADB6_12|date=June 12, 1959|title= Engine 999, Famed in Railroad History, stops at local yards|url= |work= Anderson Daily Bulletin|page=66|location=Anderson, Indiana|via=[[Newspapers.com]] {{open access|access-date=May 17, 2022}}}}
* {{cite news|last=NJ12_12|date=December 12, 1936|title= 999|url= https://www.newspapers.com/clip/101914481/news-journal/ |work= News-Journal|page=4|location=Mansfield, Ohio|via=[[Newspapers.com]] {{open access|access-date=May 17, 2022}}}}
* {{cite news|last=LB11_14|date=November 14, 1939|title= Charles H. Hogan|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/101915663/latrobe-bulletin/ |work= Latrobe Bulletin|page=4|location=Latrobe, Pennsylvania|via=[[Newspapers.com]] {{open access|access-date=May 17, 2022}}}}
* {{cite news|last=GDN6_12|date=June 12, 1959|title= Old No. 999|url= https://www.newspapers.com/clip/101916275/greensburg-daily-news/|work= Greensburg Daily News|page=4|location=Greensburg, Indiana|via=[[Newspapers.com]] {{open access|access-date=May 17, 2022}}}}
* {{cite news|last=TEN6_23|date=June 23, 1933|title= 112.5 miles an hour|url= https://www.newspapers.com/clip/101916919/the-eunice-news/|work= The Eunice News|page=4|location=Eunice, Louisiana|via=[[Newspapers.com]] {{open access|access-date=May 17, 2022}}}}
* {{cite news|last=SG7_3|date=July 3, 1968|title= Old 999 Anniversary|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/101918343/star-gazette/ |work= Star-Gazette|page=3|location=Elmira, New York|via=[[Newspapers.com]] {{open access|access-date=May 17, 2022}}}}
* {{cite news|last=TSP6_12|date=June 12, 1959|title= Old 999 Rides Rails once more|url= https://www.newspapers.com/clip/101919632/the-star-press/ |work= The Star Press|page=1|location=Muncie, Indiana|via=[[Newspapers.com]] {{open access|access-date=May 17, 2022}}}}
* {{cite news|last=TIJ5_10|date=May 10, 1943|title= Old 999 Set Record 50 years ago today|url= https://www.newspapers.com/clip/101920628/the-ithaca-journal/ |work= The Ithaca Journal|page=11|location=Ithaca, New York|via=[[Newspapers.com]] {{open access|access-date=May 17, 2022}}}}


==External links==
==External links==

Revision as of 19:56, 17 May 2022

NYC #999
Engine 999 in Syracuse
Type and origin
Power typeSteam
BuilderNYC West Albany Shops
Build date1893
Specifications
Configuration:
​
 • Whyte4-4-0
Gauge4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm)
Driver dia.86.5 in (2,197 mm)
later: 70 in (1,778 mm)
Adhesive weight84,000 lb (38.1 tonnes)
Loco weight124,000 lb (56.2 tonnes)
Fuel typeCoal
Boiler pressure180 lbf/in2 (1,241 kPa)
CylindersTwo, outside
Cylinder size15 in (381 mm)
Career
OperatorsNew York Central and Hudson River Railroad
Numbers999, renum 1086 in 1913, 1021 in 1920
First runMay 1893
Retired1952
Current ownerChicago Museum of Science and Industry
DispositionOn static display, based in Chicago, Illinois

New York Central and Hudson River Railroad No. 999 is a 4-4-0 “American” type steam locomotive built for the New York Central and Hudson River Railroad in 1893, which was intended to haul the road's Empire State Express train service. It was built for high speed and was the first steam locomotive in the world to travel over 100 mph. It was officially clocked by railroad officials when it ran a world record of 112.5 mph on May 10, 1893. The locomotive was then exhibited in the 1893 Chicago World's Fair. There was a two cent US stamp issued representing the world speed record event. Thousands of miniature replica ridable No. 999 locomotives were made for amusement parks worldwide. Manufacturers of electric toy trains designated some of their models No. 999. The original 999 locomotive has been restored and is now a permanent exhibit at the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago.


Development

In the early 1890s, the competition between the New York Central and the Pennsylvania Railroad was growing fiercely. Their rivalry was particularly noticeable along their Chicago to New York corridors in the years leading to the Chicago World's Fair, with both roads trying to provide the swiftest service to the fair. The Pennsylvania had upgraded its Pennsylvania Limited with the most modern and efficient rolling stock of the time. The New York Central similarly upgraded its Empire State Express train's rolling stock, however, knowing that this would not be enough, the road began exploring other options so as to outperform its rival.[1] To this end came George Henry Daniels, the road's chief public representative officer.[2] He proposed a new locomotive be designed capable of exceeding the 100-mph speed barrier.[3]

New York Central's Chief Superintendent of Motive Power & Rolling Stock, William Buchanan, had designed a class of 4-4-0 locomotives known as the Class "I", which were already capable of reaching high speeds, so it was simply a matter of making some modifications to an existing design. In 1893, locomotive #999 was rolled out of the New York Central's West Albany Shops by master mechanic Buchanan.[4]

The 999 was designed from the beginning for speed. It had mounted on 86-inch (220 cm) diameter driving wheels rather than the 70-inch (180 cm) mounted on other engines of the class, and had its brakes mounted to the front truck as a new concept. The bands, pipes, and trim were highly polished; the boiler, smokestack, domes, cab, and tender were given a satin finish of black, and "Empire State Express" was applied to the sides of the tender in 2 ft 6 in (762 mm) high gold leaf lettering.[4]

World's fair and later service

1901 U.S. stamp

No. 999 entered service in 1893, making the trip from Syracuse, New York. The Empire State Express carried in April 1893 a speed recorder that peaked at 86 miles an hour.[5] The train was operated by engineer Charlie H. Hogan on May 9 when it reached 101.5 miles per hour (163.3 km/h) going from Rochester to Buffalo, a distance of 69 miles traveled in 68 minutes.[3] Word spread quickly of this high speed event and when Hogan operated the train the next day going back to Buffalo large crowds gathered all along the route. This time railroad officials with hand-held stop watches were aboard the train.[6] It took less than 32 seconds for the train to travel between Batavia and Buffalo, as was recorded by those with stop watches that had clocked off mile posts.[7][8][9] The speed of 112.5 miles per hour (181.1 km/h) run on May 10 was a new world speed record for a steam locomotive.[10][11][4] A group of 75 to 100 witnesses knew no others had ever seen such a fast train before and it was immediately telegraphed worldwide.[4] Historian Stewart Holbrook says that all railroad historians agreed that no train had ever gone this fast before.[3]

Miniature ridable No. 999, circa 1906
1955 electric toy train '999' engine

The 112.5 mile per hour world speed record had not been exceeded yet by 1921.[12][13][14] It kept this speed traveling for over a mile on the railroad tracks.[15][16][17] The railroad engineer driving the locomotive had a competent fireman that fed the coals needed for the engine furnace.[18][19][4] This record made No. 999 the first object on wheels to exceed 100 mph.[20][21][2] The locomotive was the first of a power-driven vehicle traveling faster than the 100 mile-an-hour and was given the designation as the railed rocket by railroad publicity person George Henry Daniels.[2] He informed the major city newspapers of the 112.5 speed record and it was published nationwide by hundreds of others newspapers.[3] Daniels informed the United States Postmaster General of this feat and a two cent stamp came out picturing the Empire State Express displaying the event with horizontal smoke from the locomotive.[3] The locomotive engine and the train of railroad cars it pulled was known as the "world's most glamorous train"[22] and the "world's most beautiful locomotive ever built."[4]

Daniels arranged to have the 999 locomotive and the Empire State Express train at the 1893 Chicago World's Fair.[3] Engineer Hogan and the No. 999 locomotive were the star attractions and brought honor to the New York Central and Hudson River Railroad..[4] After the fair the engine continued to pull the Empire State Express between Buffalo and Syracuse until 1899. When the engine was sent to other parts of the railroad system it was found to be slippery and hard to handle when pulling more than five cars. It was rebuilt with the same 70 inch drivers as the other engines of the class. In the 1920s it was given a new boiler and tender, operating local and branch line trains until 1924, when it was restored for exhibition at the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad's "Fair of the Iron Horse" the following year.[23]

Over 3,000 ridable miniature replicas (most of which were made by the Cagney Brothers and thus were referred to as "Cagneys") were made for amusement park rides. They were used in the United States and as far away as South Africa and Thailand. One such unit, nicknamed the "Little Puffer" was in service at the Fleischaker Zoo in San Francisco, California. Manufacturers of electric toy train sets began designating No. 999 on their locomotive engines. The original 999 locomotive train engine was exhibited at events that included the 1927 Baltimore Fair of Iron, the 1933 Chicago Century of Progress, the 1934 Chicago Century of Progress, the 1938 Cleveland Exposition, the 1939 New York World's Fair, the 1940 New York World's Fair, the 1948 Chicago's Railroad Fair, the 1949 Chicago's Railroad Fair, and the 1952 Genesee County Sesquicentennial.[4]

Retirement

Museum of Science and Industry No. 999 exhibit

Advances in locomotive design, particularly the advent of diesel-electric power, eventually rendered No. 999 obsolete. It was decided as early as 1923 that the locomotive was not going to be scrapped and would be preserved in some manner for its history of setting a speed record of 112.5 miles per hour on May 10, 1893.[24][25]

After touring the nation and making appearances at numerous expositions including the 1948-49 Chicago Railroad Fair, the unit was retired from service in May, 1952 at which time it was relegated to yard switching service in western New York shuttling express service refrigerator railroad cars. At this time, the railroad appeared to turn its back to steam power, and consequently, the majority of their steam engines, including all of their famed Hudsons, had been scrapped. However, when the matter of 999 came about, the road saw fit to preserve the famous engine. The New York Central donated the locomotive to the Chicago Museum of Science and Industry in 1962, though it did not arrive at the museum until 1968.[26]

Once there, while its preservation was assured, the engine was displayed outside where exposure to elements had taken its toll over the years. In 1993, the museum underwent a major renovation. This project included a cosmetic restoration of number 999, and it was placed inside the museum's main hall. The locomotive is displayed with its latter 70" drivers, rather than the original 86" wheels that earned it its claim to fame.[27] There are about two million visitors annually that see No. 999 at the museum.[4]

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to New York Central 999.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Miniature ridable 999 replicas.
  1. ^ Fleet-wheeled wonder
  2. ^ a b c LSJ4_2 1959, p. 48.
  3. ^ a b c d e f Holbrook 2016, p. 95.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i Eula 2022, p. Historian's Note.
  5. ^ The Electrical Engineer 1893 Vol 15 p470
  6. ^ Flank 2014, p. 2014/3/6/1252816.
  7. ^ SGD10_15 1893, p. 22.
  8. ^ TABJ10_21 1893, p. 4.
  9. ^ GDN6_12 1959, p. 4.
  10. ^ Staufer 1967, pp. 70–75.
  11. ^ TBG5_12 1893, p. 8.
  12. ^ TRI11_10 1921, p. 5.
  13. ^ TNSJ8_14 1921, p. 25.
  14. ^ TBT7_15 1923, p. 66.
  15. ^ ADB6_12 1959, p. 1.
  16. ^ NJ12_12 1936, p. 4.
  17. ^ TSP6_12 1959, p. 1.
  18. ^ LB11_14 1939, p. 4.
  19. ^ TEN6_23 1933, p. 4.
  20. ^ CCCNWGA11_4 1893, p. 2.
  21. ^ Hollingsworth 1987, p. 99.
  22. ^ TIJ5_10 1943, p. 11.
  23. ^ Moses 2005, p. 920.
  24. ^ NCH1_15 1923, p. 7.
  25. ^ RDH1_22 1923, p. 11.
  26. ^ SG7_3 1968, p. 3.
  27. ^ John Lienhard. "Rain, Steam & Speed: Inventing Powered Motion". Retrieved 2007-01-28.

Sources

Wikimedia Commons has media related to New York Central 999.
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