#######Question

[Anonymous]

i am very new too this train thing so dont laugh too hard over this question. hahahhaha
i was wondering what do the three numbers infront of the name mean when you go buy one

Example:

Aristo Craft
Mikado 2-8-2
Union Pacific

what does the 2-8-2 mean??????????????

thanks
Super Chicken

[Capt Bob Johnson]

It was a means of classifying steam engines. # of wheels. 2 front idlers, used to carry weight - 8 drivers, to provide power to track - 2 rear idlers to carry weight.

Now divide that by 2 cause you can only look at one side at a time so you would see 1 little wheel, 4 big drivers, 1 little wheel.

I'm sure somebody can give you the name of that system, I've seen it before on some forums but can't remember the name or where!

Now the names that went with the wheel configurations were often different depending on the railroad. I think that the Pennsy was rather independent in that; especially when it came to engines that had small production numbers like the T-1.

I'm also sure that somebody around here can give a far better and more technical explanation than I can.

[monkeyman2]

A 2-8-2 would look like (In terms of wheel arragment)
oo OOOO oo
and a 4-4-0
oo OO Etc.

[Anonymous]

The Whyte Wheel Classification System

type the above in on your web browser and pick a link .

mikadousrp

[Anonymous]

thanks that is easier than i thought

Super Chicken

[Anonymous]

I guess that makes my Jeep an 0-4-0
Paul D