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Delaware and Hudson 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 Delaware and Hudson steam locomotives were likewise scattered among a wide range of classes from A to P. In any event, the information here is merely meant to list the general types of steam locomotives operated by the D&H and does not go into detail about their specific differences.

The Delaware and Hudson Railway did not roster a significant number of steam locomotives due to its small overall size. However, it is famous for using large articulated steamers included 4-6-6-4 Challengers and 2-6-6-0s. Today, none of these massive articulated locomotives survive and only one D&H steamer is known to still exist, an 0-4-0 switcher preserved on display at the Wayne County Historical Society in Honesdale, Pennsylvania.

The Delaware and Hudson Railway, our country’s oldest still-surviving transportation company has been in operation for three centuries now. Indeed, while the railroad itself is now buried within the Canadian Pacific and no longer operates as an independent company and has lost almost all of its identity, it still technically continues to carry its original name on paper. While the D&H never carried a celebrity status or owned more than 1,000 route miles it soldiered on and did its job well for over a century operating independently. It also outlived its Northeastern competitors by several years!

Class B

The D&H's Class B steam locomotives were 0-6-0 and 0-8-0 switchers and ranged from Class B (these were O-6-0Ts) to Class B-6.

Class C

The D&H's Class C designated its 2-6-0 Moguls of which included Class C-1 through C-2.

Class D-3

The D&H's Class D-3 included Class D-3, D-3a, and D-3b designating its fleet of 4-6-0 Ten-Wheelers.

Class E

The D&H's Class E steam locomotives were 2-8-0 Consolidations and ranged from Class E-2 to Class E-7.

Class G

The D&H's Class G steam locomotives were 4-4-0 Americans and ranged from Class G-3 to Class G-5.

Class H

The D&H's Class H designated a fleet of 13 0-8-8-0 articulateds and 2-6-6-0s (Class H-1).

Class J

The D&H's Class J designated its fleet of 40 4-6-6-4 Challengers.

For more reading about Delaware and Hudson steam locomotives, and the railroad in general, you might want to pick up a copy of the book Delaware & Hudson: The History of an Important Railroad Whose Antecedent Was a Canal Network to Transport Coal by author Jim Shaughnessy. Mr. Shaughnessy's book gives an in-depth history of the D&H from its earliest beginnings as a canal company to its final days as an independent carrier, covering the railroad's steam fleet along the way. If you have any interest in the D&H or are interested in learning more about the railroad Mr. Shaughnessy's book is a must read.

Also consider Perfecting the American Steam Locomotive by author J. Parker Lamb. As the name implies the book details the earliest history of steam engine technology, even before it was used in railroad applications. His book later explores the development of steam locomotive technology in the United States from the 19th through the 20th centuries, covering not only the most popular steam locomotive designs but also the most successful manufactures to build them. The book has received excellent reviews and is a great resource on steam locomotives and a fine reference tool; you should find it very useful. 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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