The Virginian triplex as well as the other triplexs are well known design failures as well as the most unusual and fascinating engine experiments ever.
After the Virginian gave up on the triplex as is it was split into 2 engines, a 2-8-8-0 and a 2-8-0, both ran well into the fifties kinda giving the triplex a split 2nd life.
The 2-8-8-0 was used mostly in hump yard operations, but so.. I'll let the poster tell the story...
http://finance.groups.yahoo.com/group/VirginianRailwayEnthusiasts/message/9183
.................
The employees that hated the 610 were the brakeman that worked on the hump. The 610 had a feature that when it went over the hump from the west it allowed the water in the boiler to go east real quick and it would throw water out of the safety valves to cover a great area around the hump giving everyone a bath with dirty water. Couldn't resist replying to this one. Hope everyone is well. Jack.
....................
I am partial to Southern Railway's (US) 2-8-2+2-8-0s duplexes. Their two duplexes were ordinary Mikados with old Consolidation cylinders and running gear (whose drivers where smaller than the Mikes') placed under the tenders.
Mark