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Chesapeake and Ohio Railway Steam Locomotives

The classifications given by railroads to their steam locomotive fleets were as varied as the machines themselves with several different designations within a particular class! The Chesapeake and Ohio Railway steam locomotives were no different ranging in classes from A to T with various combinations of numbers. In any event, the information here is merely meant to list the general types of steam locomotives operated by the C&O and does not go into detail about their specific differences.

The Chesapeake and Ohio Railway steam locomotives are legendary as the railroad operated huge models of articulateds used for heavy drag service in the coalfields of southern West Virginia and eastern Kentucky. These models included 2-6-6-2s, 2-8-8-2s, and most famous of all the legendary 2-6-6-6 Alleghenies, the most powerful steam locomotives ever built. What's more, four of the large articulateds still exist today, preserved at various museums around the country along with a whole host of smaller C&O steamers.

Class A-16

The C&O's Class A-16 designated its fleet of 4-4-2 Atlantics.

Class C

The C&O's Class C designated switchers which included 0-8-0s and 0-10-0s and ranged from Class C-7 to C-16.

Class F

The C&O's Class F designated its fleet of 4-6-2 Pacifics and ranged from Class F-15 to F-19.

Class G

The C&O's Class G designated its fleet of 2-8-0 Consolidations ranging from Class G-7 to G-9.

Class H

The C&O's Class H designated its fleet of heavy articulated, 2-6-6-2s, 2-8-8-2s, and legendary 2-6-6-6s; they ranged from Class H-1 to H-8.

Class J

The C&O's Class J designated its fleet of 4-8-2 Mountains and ranged from Class J-1 to J-3A.

Class K

The C&O's Class K designated its fleet of 2-8-2 Mikados and ranged from Class K-1 to K-4.

Class L

The C&O's Class L included Class L-1 and L-2A and included the railroad's fleet of 4-6-4 Hudsons.

Class T-1

The C&O's Class T-1 designated its lone fleet of forty 2-10-4 Texas Types.

For much, much more information about Chesapeake and Ohio Railway steam locomotives please click here to visit the C&O Historical Society's detailed listing of the railroad's steam fleet.

For more information about Chesapeake and Ohio Railway steam locomotives Chesapeake & Ohio Super Power Steam Locomotives by author Eugene Huddleston is a fabulous resource on the railroad's large, and very powerful steamers. Covering 168 pages the book goes into much detail about not only the C&O's heavy articulateds but also its steam fleet in general and includes over 175 pictures and locomotive diagrams. If you have any interest in C&O steam or would like to learn more about it Mr. Huddleston's book is a must!

Also consider The Chesapeake & Ohio Railway at Mid-Century by author Tom Dixon, which explores the operations of the famed coal hauler during its transition from steam to diesel locomotives. It provides an great look at an interesting time in the industry in general with all types of locomotives (steam and diesel) in operation and includes more than 170 pages of photos and information. If you're interested in perhaps purchasing either (or both) of these books please visit the links below which will take you to ordering information through Amazon.com, the trusted online shopping network.

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