2-4-6T
In Whyte notation, a 2-4-6 is a steam locomotive with two unpowered leading wheels followed by four powered driving wheels and six unpowered trailing wheels. This wheel arrangement is only documented as being used for tank locomotives; no 2-4-6 tender locomotives are recorded.[1]
Equivalent classifications
Other equivalent classifications are:
- UIC classification: 1'B3' (also known as German classification and Italian classification)
- French classification: 123
- Turkish classification: 26
- Swiss classification: 2/6
The equivalent UIC classification is 1'B3' (or (1'B)'3' for a Mason Bogie).
Examples
This unusual wheel arrangement does not appear to have been used in any country except the USA.[1] The following railways are recorded as having used locomotives with this wheel arrangement: [2]
- Pennsylvania Railroad: one locomotive built by Altoona in 1882
- Wisconsin Central Railroad: one locomotive built by Burnham, Parry, Williams & Co in 1887
- Boston, Revere Beach and Lynn Railroad: two locomotives built by Mason Machine Works in 1892[3]: 111–112
- Illinois Central Railroad: ten locomotives built by Rogers in 1893
- Adirondack and St. Lawrence Railroad: one locomotive built by Schenectady in 1893
References
- ^ a b "2-4-6 Locomotive Data by Country". Retrieved 14 November 2025.
- ^ "2-4-6 Steam Locomotives in the USA". Retrieved 14 November 2025.
- ^ Stanley, Robert C. (1980). Narrow Gauge - The Story of the Boston, Revere Beach & Lynn Railroad. Boston Street Railway Association.