numbers

[KCSfan]

The numbers that are associated with trains, 4-4-0 or 4-4-2, what do they mean?

thanks

The numbers refer to the wheel arrangement of steam locomotives. The first number is how many leading wheels, the second how many driving wheels and the third number how many trailing wheels. For example and 0-6-0 was a common arrangement for a steam switcher which had but 6 drivers and no leading or trailing wheels. Passenger engines because of their higher speeds usually had a 4-wheel lead truck; examples of which would be a 4-4-0 (American), a 4-6-0 (Ten Wheeler, a 4-4-2 (Atlantic), a 4-6-2 (Pacific) and a 4-6-4 (Hudson). Notice that all these have 4 leading wheels, 4 or 6 drivers and from none to 4 trailing wheels.

This system of designating locomotives by wheel arrangement is known as the Whytes Classification system. If you wish to learn more about the subject do a google or widipedia search on steam locomotives and a advanced search on Whytes Classifications.

Mark

[DSchmitt]

 

 

http://www.answers.com/topic/whyte-notation

[Anonymous]

The numbers that are associated with trains, 4-4-0 or 4-4-2, what do they mean?

thanks