question about numbers...4-4-0

Started by nimrod, December 13, 2009, 02:45:24 PM

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nimrod

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?

jonathan

#1
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:


This is a 2-8-0:


Make sense?

Hope that helps.

Regards,

Jonathan

Joe Satnik

If your loco is too heavy to lift, you'd better be able to ride in, on or behind it.

nimrod

Yes, makes sense now, thanks for the replies

nimrod

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

ABC

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.