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Erie Railroad 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! As for the Erie Railroad steam locomotives they were classed from B to S from little 0-6-0 switchers to the massive, and rare, 2-8-8-8-2 Triplex. In any event, the information here is merely meant to list the general types of steam locomotives operated by the Erie and does not go into detail about their specific differences.

The Erie Railroad rostered many large wheel arrangements from Berkshires (2-8-4) to Santa Fes (2-10-2). However, perhaps the railroad is best remembered for its massive experimental steamers including the very rare aforementioned 2-8-8-8-2 Triplex and the unique 2-6-8-0 design (of which was home-built and the Erie only owned one). Today, none of the railroad's largest steamers are known to exist and sadly, none at all are known to be preserved.

Class B

The Erie's Class B denoted its fleet of 0-6-0 switchers ranging from Class B-1 to B-6.

Class C

The Erie's Class C denoted its fleet of 0-8-0 switchers ranging from Class C-1 to C-4.

Class E

The Erie's Class E denoted its fleet of 4-4-2 Atlantics ranging from Class E-1 to E-5.

Class G

The Erie's Class G designated its roster of 4-6-0 Ten-Wheelers and included Class G-12 through G-15.

Class H

The Erie's Class H denoted its fleet of 2-8-0 Consolidations and included Class H-9 to H-27.

Class J-2

The Erie's Class J-2 designated its fleet of 75 2-10-0 Decapods.

Class K

The Erie's Class K designated its large fleet of 4-6-2 Pacifics ranging from Class K-1 to K-5-B.

Class L-1

The Erie's Class L-1 designated its only three 0-8-8-0 articulateds.

Class M-1

The Erie's Class M-1 was the unique 2-6-8-0 articulated design.

Class N

The Erie's Class N designated its roster of 2-8-2 Mikados ranging from Class N-1 to N-3-A.

Class P-1

The Erie's Class P-1 was the three massive 2-8-8-8-2 Triplex models.

Class R

The Erie's Class R denoted its fleet of 2-10-2 Santa Fes ranging from Class R-1 to R-3.

Class S

The Erie's Class S denoted its fleet of 2-8-4 Berkshires and included Class S-1 to S-4.

For much more about Erie Railroad steam locomotives please click here to visit the Erie Lackawanna Historical Society's website.

For more reading about the Erie with many pictures and maps, consider Erie Memories from Ed Crist. The author does a wonderful job of giving an overall general history and overview of the railroad with an emphasis on the railroad's final 30 years or so from the 1930s to its merger with the Lackawanna in 1960. While the book does not specifically cover the railroad's steam fleet it does mention it to some extent. If you have any interest in the Erie or would like to learn more about it you should enjoy Mr. Crist's book. If you're interested in perhaps purchasing this book please visit The Railroad Diamond by clicking the tab in the menu to your left marked "TRD Store".

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