Consolidated Steam Locos

[selector]

Like all of the early engines, they were continually upgraded with new technology and designs. So, even though their x-y-z wheel arrangements stayed the same (I'm talking of the 4-4-0, 0-6-0, 0-8-0, 2-6-0, and 2-8-0), they added new features and often made them heavier and bigger for more capacity. An example would be added water injectors, steam-preheats, and improved Baker valve-gear in some cases. So, the 1866 Consolidation looked different from the early 1920's versions.

[dehusman]

I believe the Lehigh Valley was in the process of consolidating its locomotive designs (like most rosters of the day, it was made up of dozens of essentially individual and unique locomotives collected from acquiring smaller roads) and this was the first of its "standard" designs, so the locomotive was called a "consolidation".

Dave H.

[Anonymous]

thanks for the info. makes sense to me. i thought they went back sometime as i have only seen pretty old references to the, again thaks for the info.

[selector]

I"n 1866, in the factories of Baldwin locomotives, it was constructed the first machine of a new type for the transport of loads , destined for the railroad of the Lehigh Valley, pertaining to a Company that had just finished forming by fusing several small lines, thus it was given to this type of locomotive the name of "Consolidation". These locomotives had four pairs of motor wheels and an auxiliary front set of two wheels, and it's got to be the favorite type of transporting locomotive for heavy weights, for example, in the shipments of mineral coal ."

I copied and pasted that from a web site. I hope that helps.

[selector]

Actually, the name is "Consolidation", not consolidated. The wheel arrangement was 2-8-0. Why the name? I don't have the foggiest. I'll do a search and get back.

[Anonymous]

I've read over the years about a class of loco named "Consolidated"
What was consolidated on them? Were the built for a paticular purpose such as the Berkshires?