Question about 2-8-4 Berkshire

[Anonymous]

Were these steamers used primarily to pull passengers, freight, or both?

[Anonymous]

Locomotives with a single axle pony truck, like the 2-8-4, were generally used for freight, with exceptions like 2-6-0's on branch lines and 2-8-2's pressed into passenger service during WWII.

[Anonymous]

They were designed to pull freight at speed, and boy were the designs good!

Probably more than you ever wanted to know about the Berkshire design: http://www.steamlocomotive.com/berkshire/weinstein/