Norfolk and Western Steam LocomotivesThe 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 Norfolk and Western steam locomotives were likewise characterized by a wide range of classes from A to Z. In any event, the information here is most certainly not a complete, all-time listing of N&W's steam fleet and also is merely meant to list the general types of steam locomotives operated by the railroad.
The Norfolk and Western steam locomotives are perhaps the most legendary of all mostly due to the celebrity status they received as the subject of O. Winston Link's masterful black and white photography skills during the 1950s and the final days of steam. However, the N&W also rostered some of the powerful steamers ever built using massive 2-8-8-2, 2-6-6-2, and 2-6-6-4 heavy articulated locomotives to move bituminous coal from the mine fields of southern West Virginia. Perhaps most impressive, though, is the fact that no less than five of these large articulated steamers survive today as well as a whole host of others (perhaps most famous of these are J-class 4-8-4 #618 and Class A 2-6-6-4 #1218 which were used for years as part of the Norfolk Southern's heritage steam program, today the locomotives are preserved and stored at the Virginia Museum of Transportation). For a complete listing of surviving N&W steamers please click here. The N&W's Class A included its fleet of massive 2-6-6-4 heavy articulateds. The N&W's Class E included its fleet of 4-6-2 Pacifics ranging from Class E1 to E3. The N&W's Class J was its famous 4-8-4 streamlined Northerns used in passenger service. The N&W's Class K included its fleet of 4-8-2 Mountains ranging from Class K1 to K3. The N&W's Class M included its fleet of 4-8-0 "Twelve-Wheelers" and ranged from Class M to M2. The N&W's Class S1 included a small roster of 0-8-0 switchers. The N&W's Class TE1 was sort of a "hybrid" steamer as it designated the railroad's experimental and massive steam-electric turbine dubbed the "Jawn Henry". To see this locomotive in action please click here. The N&W's Class Y included its fleet of behemoth 2-8-8-2 heavy articulateds. The N&W's Class Z included another fleet of massive steamers, the 2-6-6-2 heavy articulateds.
For more reading on the N&W I strongly recommend the book written by Thomas Garver and featuring the legendary photography of Mr. O. Winston Link, The Last Steam Railroad in America. Besides featuring Link's black and white masterpieces the book also gives you a general overview of the railroad and its steam locomotives which, of course, became synonymous with hauling coal. If you are a fan or historian of the N&W (or both!) the book is a must addition to your collection. 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.
|
