Northern Pacific Z5 Railroad Sign is a great gift idea for any railroad fan. This aluminum sign measures 10 x 12 inches x .025″ metal with four 1/8 inch mounting holes and rounded corners. Find other great signs on our website to decorate your train room walls or to give as gifts. Share your train room photos of the Northern Pacific Railroad sign and others you found on our Facebook . Feel free to tag us on Instagram.
The Northern Pacific Z5 Railroad was a remarkable feat of engineering in the 1920s and 1930s. It used powerful steam locomotives called Yellowstone’s, which had a 2-8-8-4 wheel arrangement. These were the largest locomotives in the world when they were built, and they could haul heavy freight trains across the plains of North Dakota.
The first Yellowstone was made by ALCO in 1928 for the Northern Pacific. It had a huge firebox that could burn low-grade Rosebud coal, which was mined along the line. The firebox was so big that ALCO hosted a dinner for 12 people inside it! However, the firebox was too large to maintain a high temperature and complete combustion, so the Northern Pacific blocked off the front two feet of it on each locomotive.
The Northern Pacific ordered 11 more Yellowstone’s in 1930, but this time they gave the contract to Baldwin, who offered a lower price. Baldwin copied the design of the ALCO engine but added roller bearings to reduce friction and wear. The Baldwin Yellowstone’s steamed better and produced more power than the ALCO one. They were assigned to the Yellowstone Division, where they replaced two smaller locomotives on each train.
The Northern Pacific Z5 Railroad was a pioneer in using giant articulated steam locomotives for fast and efficient freight service. The Yellowstone’s were impressive machines that could handle any load on any grade. They were also beautiful to look at, with their sleek lines and green and black paint scheme. They were a symbol of the Northern Pacific’s strength and innovation.
