Print Page - question about numbers...4-4-0

Title: question about numbers...4-4-0
Post by: nimrod on December 13, 2009, 02:45:24 PM

I have noticed numbers associated with the steam locomotives such as 4-4-0, 4-6-0..etc. Can anyone shed some light on these numbers for me?

Title: Re: question about numbers...4-4-0
Post by: jonathan on December 13, 2009, 02:58:35 PM

Nimrod,

The numbers, when identifying steam locomotives, refers to wheel arrangements. For example,

a 4-4-0 means there are four leading non-driving wheels (4-), or the pilot truck in the front of the locomotive. The second number (-4-) refers to the driving wheels; there are 4 wheels that apply force to the rails to propel the engine forward. The last number (-0) means there are no trailing wheels behind the driving wheels.

This is a 4-4-0:
(http://i642.photobucket.com/albums/uu146/jsnvogel/Rolling%20Stock/DSCN0654.jpg)

This is a 2-8-0:
(http://i642.photobucket.com/albums/uu146/jsnvogel/Rolling%20Stock/DSCN0564.jpg)

Make sense?

Hope that helps.

Regards,

Jonathan

Title: Re: question about numbers...4-4-0
Post by: Joe Satnik on December 13, 2009, 03:56:45 PM

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whyte_notation

Title: Re: question about numbers...4-4-0
Post by: nimrod on December 13, 2009, 08:34:30 PM

Yes, makes sense now, thanks for the replies

Title: Re: question about numbers...4-4-0
Post by: nimrod on December 13, 2009, 09:00:53 PM

OK, now I seen a locomotive with 4 numbers, 2-6-6-2. Why is there 4 numbers? Thanks

Title: Re: question about numbers...4-4-0
Post by: ABC on December 13, 2009, 09:24:26 PM

It is an articulated locomotive with two sets of drivers. 2 leading wheels, 6 driving wheels, followed by 6 more driving wheels, and 2 trailing wheels.

Bachmann Online Forum

Discussion Boards => General Discussion => Topic started by: nimrod on December 13, 2009, 02:45:24 PM