An acquaintance on a non-railroading forum I frequent asked about a locomotive he recalls his late model railroader father having multiple models of in multiple scales. Here's what he posted:
"My Dad's collection (rest his soul) included a "G scale" an "O scale" & an "HO scale" version of a steam locomotive that actually had 8 POWERED drivers underneath the tender, as well as 2 separate powered sets of 8 drivers under the boiler... Anybody know what engine this was? (BTW, I remember it being built, but never used, as this was PRIOR to the invention of auger-fed boilers, & the 3 firemen just could NOT scoop coal FAST enough to feed the thing."
I suspect he's a little confused regarding the exact specs but if anyone can point me to the loco he might remembering it would be appreciated.
Sounds like a Triplex locomotive. The Erie had 3 and the Virginian had 1. The Erie's were 2-8-8-8-2, with 2 sets of 8 drivers under the boiler and 1 set of drivers under the tender. The Virginian was a 2-8-8-8-4. The main problem with them was that the boiler wasn't large enough to supply all the steam needed, so at speeds over 25 - 30 miles per hour they would run out of steam. The Erie ended up using them as pushers, a job that requires slow speed and a short trip. These locomotives were developed in the early 1910's when steam technology was still sort of primitive. See this link for a great picture of one.
http://www.railarchive.net/bakervalve/04_erie_triplex.jpg
The Triplexes were not one of George Henderson's better ideas. Also keep in mind that they were built in an era of "World's Largest locomotives" when sheer size was often a consideration. Even though they were compounds, steam supply from the boiler was barely sufficient even at slow speed and I believe that the VGN Triplex never completed a run without running out of steam, even at low speed. Insufficient draft was also a problem as the rear drivers had a separate exhaust which passed through the tender.
Another problem was that at 176,000lbs of tractive effort they were way too powerful for the draft gear at the time and would usually break apart any train they tried to pull. That is why the ERIE relegated to pusher service. Just for comparison, a UP Big Boy is puts out only 135,000lbs tractive effort.
Thanks, guys!
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