german classification of a 4-6-0

[maxxx]

I hope there is a specialist out there! Am i correct to classify a 4-6-0 by the german system as a 2´Cn4 or would it be just a 2´Cn?
tx in advance!

[Hamish K]

See http://www.railway-technical.com/st-clasif.shtml#TOP

In the German system a 4-6-0 would be a 2'C'. The "n" suffix means not superheated ("h" is superheated, "v" compound) and the final number is the number of cylinders. Thus a 2'C'n4 would be a 4 cylinder non-superheated 4-6-0. A 2 cylinder superheated 4-6-0 would be a 2'C'h2. A pacific is a 2'C'1, a 2'C'1h3 would be a 3 cylinder superheated 4-6-2.

Hamish

 

[Udo]

Hello together !

Hamish made  a very good explaination.

To make the difference  easy:

The Americans count the wheels, the Germans the axles.

two axle with four wheels non driven:
American: 4-
German: 2-

two axles with four whells driven:
American: -4-
German: -B-


That means:

Non driven axle with numbers (2 / 2 etc)

Driven axles with letters A= one axle / B= two axles etc.

If you have e.g 2', that means the two axles are in a side movable frame, not fixed to the main frame.

E.G. the Bachmann Mallet (Spectrum G )

would be

1'-C'-C-1'

in the original, because the HP drive should be fixed to the main frame.

For the model it would be

1'-C'-C'-1

But OK....

I am German and call my locos in both ways, just to train my brain.....

Best regards and have a lot of fun with the trains !

Udo

[Udo]

Sorry, one thing I forgot:

For me the general classification (german / american) is not a problem to understand.

Difficulties I have with the names, e.g. "Mikado" or "Pacific"

I think a Mikado is a 1'-D-1' ( 2-8-2) and a Pacific, i think a 1'-C-1' (2-6-2)....

but that's forme always difficult to remeber.....

I just make anothet round with my "Mikado" (K27),,,,,,

Have fun !

Udo

[Udo]

one more thing:

e.G.

C and Co

C is a three axle drive unit with one drive motor, e.G coupled axles at a steam loco.

Co is a three axle drive unit with seperate drive on each axle e.G. some electric locos.

But for today that' s enough theory,,,,,

just look at your loco moving band don't count the rivets !

Udo

[on30gn15]

Difficulties I have with the names, e.g. "Mikado" or "Pacific"

I think a Mikado is a 1'-D-1' ( 2-8-2) and a Pacific, i think a 1'-C-1' (2-6-2)....

Hey Udo, you're close!
Got the Mikado 
"Pacific" is 4-6-2, i.e. 2'-C-1'

1'-C-1' (2-6-2) is a "Prairie"

Here's some notes on names and classifications:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whyte_notation

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

Now, just for fun, what would Union Pacific's 3-cylinder 4-12-2 locos be in the German system?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Union_Pacific_9000_Class

[Udo]

That should be called:

2'-F-1' h3

OK ?