Mr. butcher: appreciate the kind words. I am still learning and that's the great part of all this.

Regarding the NdeM HR-01 class. Thanks to Jerry Best's book, I was able to come up with some info on the NdeM machines.

Interestingly, they had Baker valve motion like a lot of new NdeM power. Driver diameter was 43", one inch more than the Uintah machines, giving them just a tad less t.e.

361-366 had a factor of adhesion of 3.93 but the last four which came in another order, had about 5 more tons on the drivers to give a very healthy factor of adhesion of 4.19. These ones certainly should have been a good fit for the IRCA, particularly on Palin Hill.

This increase in weight from earlier orders to later ones happened a number of times during the steam era. Another case that comes to mind is the SL-SF 1500 class. IIRC, they were built in 3 orders, the second and third being heavier than the preceeding one. I think 1522 ended up with a factor of adhesion of over 4.2. That's largely why you seldom ever saw her slip, even with those long 19 car passenger consists that were put on behind her. Great fit for that railroad. Would have also made a fine machine for the Grand Canyon Ry. too.