locomotive types

[Anonymous]

Can someone explain to me what those numbers relate to when dealing with locomotives... example 0-8-0  or 2-10-2. Tried to look it up but could not find out.

Thanks for helping a rookie

[kstrong]

They refer to what's called the "wheel arrangement" of a locomotive. The first number is the number of pilot wheels, which are the smaller diameter wheels in front of the powered drive wheels. The next number refers to the number of drive wheels, more commonly called "drivers." The last number is the number of wheels behind the drivers.


This loco would be called a 2-6-0, also referred to as a "Mogul" Many wheel arrangements had common nicknames, and are most often referred to by those names. The "0" means there are no wheels at that particular location--in this case, the trailing wheels.


This would be 2-8-0, or "consolidation"


This would be a 2-4-2, or "Columbia."


Accucraft photo
Locomotives with multiple sets of drivers, called "articulated" locomotives would be expressed by adding a 4th number. The Union Pacific's famous "Big Boy" would be a 4-8-8-4.

This numbering system is called the "Whyte" classification system. If you do an internet search for "Whyte Classification System" you'll get tons more info than you'll ever need to win at Trivial Pursuit.

Later,

K

[altterrain]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whyte_notation

 -Brian

[Great Western]

There is another system which does not count wheels but axles.

 The 4-6-0 locomotive shewn as the first illustration by Kevin would be classed as a 2-3-0.  I know the French Railway system (SNCF) use it but I don't think its use is as widespearead as the Whyte system.   Suffice to say that US and UK railroads, which are in the main the ones referred to and discussed in most Forums, use the Whyte sytem of numbering.

 

[spikejones52002]

careful in Europe they count axles and not wheels.

So a big boy would be 2-4-4-2 and not 4-8-8-4.

Diesels go by powered axles and are lettered starting with "A" for a single powered axle truck no matter how many wheels or axles it has.

 

[Marty Cozad]

I just keep learning new things every day.

Are there very many diesels with all wheel powered trucks?

[cabbage]

YES!

I know of dozens of B0-B0, C0-C0 and even a C0-B0. There have also been B0-B0-B0 (NZ) and D0-D0-D0 (Victoria OZ).

regards

ralph