What was the weirdest steam locomotive ever produced for U.S. rails?

[erikem]

santafe347

http://www.dself.dsl.pipex.com/MUSEUM/LOCOLOCO/locoloco.htm

 

I find the other parts of Doug Self's website to interesting as well, but he does show some pretty loco locos.

The section on the Triplexes has a link to Steve Berliners website - he and his partners in crime had way too much time on the hands (did get a kick out of the DDP-45). 

[tomikawaTT]

I think the hands-down winner was the, "Wheels within wheels," steam loco.

Basically a 4-4-0, it sat on a collection of wheels that drove other wheels, with the pilot truck dropped 'way down below the cylinders and a 'cowcatcher' that looked like a partially collapsed fence.  The mix was somehow supposed to increase traction - a doubtful matter even if one disregards all of the (19th century) bearings on all those axles.

Chuck

[Anonymous]

http://www.dself.dsl.pipex.com/MUSEUM/LOCOLOCO/locoloco.htm

There's a lot on there, not all American though.

[Road Fan]

Does anyone have a candidate for the weirdest/strangest/unorthodox steam locomotive ever produced for U. S. rails?

What was the weirdest locomotive of any type (Electric, gas, Diesel, other.)

Who produced it and where did it operate?  I have no idea myself, but thought that it may spark some interesting comments and information.

Thanks,

Road Fan