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Lehigh and New England 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 Lehigh and New England steam locomotives were classed from A to I and surprisingly fielded some large models for its small size including 2-8-2 Midakos and 2-10-0 Decapods. In any event, the information here is merely meant to list the general types of steam locomotives operated by the L&NE and does not go into detail about their specific differences. The Lehigh and New England Railroad was likely the least known of the great anthracite coal lines of the Northeast like the Reading Railroad, Lehigh Valley, Erie, Jersey Central, Lehigh & Hudson River and others.

The railroad had a very tumultuous history prior to its final organization in 1895 and due to its small size, few markets served, and circuitous main line (which was even slower than the nearby Lehigh & Hudson River Railway); it had a very hard time for much of its life earning healthy profits. By the late 1950s with anthracite demand quickly drying up and no other significant means of traffic to replace the losses, the L&NE called it quits in 1961 with the Central Railroad of New Jersey picking up most of the remaining pieces of the railroad.

Today, there is one known L&NE steamer known to be preserved, a little 0-6-0 switcher on display at the Illinois Railway Museum in Union, Illinois.

Class A

The L&NE's Class A designated a single 0-4-0 switcher, #201.

Class B

The L&NE's Class B denoted its fleet of 0-6-0 switchers ranging from Class B-1 to B-5.

Class C

The L&NE's Class C designated a pair of 4-4-0 Americans, #5 and #6.

Class D

The L&NE's Class D denoted a single 4-6-0 Ten-Wheeler #7.

Class E

The L&NE's Class E was the railroad's largest, designating 2-8-0 Consolidations ranging from Class E-1 to E-11.

Class F-1

The L&NE's Class F-1 denoted its fleet of five 2-10-0 Decapods.

Class G-1

The L&NE's Class G-1 denoted part of its 2-8-2 Mikado fleet.

Class I

The L&NE's Class I designated its fleet of 0-8-0 and 0-8-2 switchers ranging from Class I-1 to Class I-5.

Class L-1

The L&NE's Class L-1 denoted part of its 2-8-2 Mikado fleet.

For much more information about Lehigh and New England steam locomotives please click here to visit North East Rails.

For more reading about steam locomotives like those operated by the L&NE 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.

Also, consider the book American Steam Locomotives from author Brian Solomon. While this publication does not include quite as much technical data as Lamb's book, Perfecting the American Steam Locomotive, it is still a very good resource with lots of information and best of all, is loaded with photographs! 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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