B & O Big Sixes

[spikejones52002]

I was just watching the B & O Big Sixes from the home page of trains.

Why are they called big SIXES when they all were 2-8-2s?

Thank You for the correction   I could not make out the 5 set of drivers. 2-10-2s not 2-8-2s.

[feltonhill]

Their road numbers started with the number 6, e.g, 6100 for the first S1

[VAPEURCHAPELON]

These engines were 2-10-2s, not 2-8-2s, and they were - while not the very largest of that wheel arrangement - really BIG.

[GP40-2]

As stated eariler, they were numbered in the 6000 series (hence "Sixes") and they were big. Built in the mid-1920's by both Baldwin and Lima for the B&O, they produced both high starting tractive effort and high horsepower at speed. Their boilers were similar in size to a Superpower 4-8-4. The Big Sixes could maintain 70MPH with a heavy frieght and produce 4000 DBHP. They were the biggest single reason why the B&O never bothered buying 4-8-4 in the 1940's, and they were so durable that they stayed in service until the late 1950's, with minimal maintenance.

Photo of Big Six 6124:

www.rr-fallenflags.org/bo/bo-s6124amm.jpg

[CSSHEGEWISCH]

A high-speed 2-10-2?  It would be interesting to find out how engine crews and the M/W department felt about fast running with a Big Six.

[GP40-2]

A high-speed 2-10-2?  It would be interesting to find out how engine crews and the M/W department felt about fast running with a Big Six.

The Big Sixes were in service for almost 35 years and were a favorite of the crews. Why are you so suprised by the B&O using a Big Six on fast freight? They had well designed and well balanced running gear. No worse on the track than a 4-8-4. Heck, the B&O ran their enormous 2-8-8-4 EM1s even faster in express freight service.

[Kurn]

They also excelled in pusher service.A couple of 'em could generally shove anything up Sandpatch.

[Virginian]

There have been very few sights/experiences to match an EM-1 and a pair of Big Sixes fighting a heavy train over Sand Patch in a steam lover's eyes.  Near the end, the ballast was black and yellow from all the Kodak boxes.