Image: Norfolk & Western 2050

Description: (From the IRM info plate) Norfolk & Western 2050 1923 Mallet Articulated (2-8-8-2) Mallets use boiler steam twice, in two sets of cylinders. Exhaust from the rear pair of cylinders is reused in the larger front pair, to extract maximum energy. Mallets can also operate in "simple" mode, with fresh steam to all cylinders, to start heavy trains. Each set of an articulated's drivers is carried in a separate frame, connected at a center pivot. Largely due to its efficient Mallet articulates, N&W, was the last major railroad to fully dieselize; it buylt 2-8-8-2's in its own shops until 1952. N&W 2050 hauled coal in West Virginia until 1959, then was used for several years by Armco Steel as a portable steam boiler before placing it in storage. Armco donated the locomotive to IRM in 1976, and it arrived at Union in 1978. N&W 2050 is one of only two 2-8-8-2's remaining. Builder: American Locomotive Co.; No. 64070 Rear Cylinders: 25" diameter by 32" stroke Front Cylinders: 39" diameter by 32" stroke Driver Diameter: 54" Fuel: Coal (22 ton capacity) Compound Tractive Effort: 114,155 pounds Simple Tractive Effort: 136,935 punds Weight (less tender): 539,000 pounds Weight on Drivers: 485,200 pounds Boiler Pressure: 270 psi
Title: Norfolk & Western 2050
Credit: https://www.flickr.com/photos/mike_miley/21709170322/
Author: H. Michael Miley
Usage Terms: Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0
License: CC BY-SA 2.0
License Link: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0
Attribution Required?: Yes