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Virginian 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 Virginian Railway steam locomotives were likewise characterized by a wide range of classes ranging from AB to XA. In any event, the information here is most certainly not a complete, all-time listing of Virginian's steam fleet and also is merely meant to list the general types of steam locomotives operated by the railroad.

The Virginian Railway was one of the smallest Class I systems in the east, not to mention one of the youngest. However, despite its small size the VGN was a force to be reckoned with in the movement of southern West Virginia coal to the ports of southern Virginia. The Virginian, built during the first decade of the 20th century, spent lavishly in featuring the best engineering and lowest graded railroad between the two points, even better than larger rivals Norfolk & Western and Chesapeake & Ohio. However, because of the railroad’s small size and dominance in hauling southern Appalachian coal it comes as no surprise that it was eventually purchased by one of its rivals, in this case the Norfolk & Western. Today, the former VGN main line remains an important and vital link in successor Norfolk Southern’s system.

While the Virginian is perhaps best remembered for its electrified main line it also rostered some impressive articulated steam locomotives including 2-8-8-2s, 2-6-6-6s, 2-10-10-2s, and the rare Triplex. Today, none of these massive steamers remain preserved and only one VGN steam locomotive is known to exist, a 0-8-0 switcher at the Virginia Museum of Transportation.

Class AB

The Virginian's Class AB included its massive 2-8-8-2 articulated steamers.

Class AC

The Virginian's Class AC included its 2-6-6-0 articulated steam locomotives.

Class AD

The Virginian's Class AD included more of its massive 2-8-8-2 articulated steam locomotives.

Class AE

The Virginian's Class AE included its massive 2-10-10-2 articulated steamers.

Class AF

The Virginian's Class AF included its 2-8-8-0 articulated steam locomotives.

Class AG

The Virginian's Class AG included its massive 2-6-6-6 articulated steam locomotives.

Class BA

The Virginian's Class BA included its 2-8-4 Berkshires.

Class EA

The Virginian's Class EA included its 4-4-0 Americans.

Class MB - Class MD

The Virginian's Class MB through MD included its 2-8-2 Mikados.

Class PA

The Virginian's Class PA included its 4-6-2 Pacifics.

Class SA and Class SB

The Virginian's Class SA ans SB included its 0-8-0 switchers.

Class TA

The Virginian's Class TA included its 4-6-0 Ten-Wheelers.

Class USA, USC, USD, USE

The Virginian's Class USA, USC, USD, and USE included more its massive 2-8-8-2 articulated steam locomotives.

Class XA

The Virginian's Class XA included its only roster of the behemoth 2-8-8-8-4T Triplexes.

For complete roster information regarding Virginian Railway steam locomotives please click here.

For more reading on the Virginian Railway you might want to consider The Virginian Railway from William Archers and the Princeton Railroad Museum. I own this book myself and I must caution, while it offers some excellent photographs of the Virginian it does lack an in-depth history of the railroad so if you are interested in such you may be disappointed in the book. Still, the photography is excellent and overall I very much enjoyed the book.

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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