Counting articulateds, compounds, and foreign steam locomotives, there are more than 90 steam engine wheel arrangements listed in the Whyte locomotive classifications. Which arrangement was the most common? The 2-8-0. Approximately 21,000 Consolidations were built between 1866 and 1946. To learn more about the prototype, read “Steam locomotive profile: 2-8-0 Consolidation” on the Classic Trains website.
The Consolidation has also been a popular subject for model manufacturers. Among the companies to offer a Consolidation are Aristo-Craft (1:29 scale), S-Helper Service (S scale), Athearn Trains (HO scale), and Bachmann Trains (N scale).
For this article, I took five photos of the new Broadway Limited Imports HO scale 2-8-0 decorated as Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe No. 1978. Then, using various sources, I added callouts identifying the major parts of a 2-8-0 steam locomotive.
If you’re interested in learning more about 2-8-0 Consolidations and other engines from the pre-diesel era, check out the Guide to North American Steam Locomotives – Revised Edition from Kalmbach Books. You can order the book from the Kalmbach Hobby Store website or purchase it at your favorite Kalmbach Books retailer.
Front of a 2-8-0 steam locomotive
Engineer’s side
Rear of tender
Fireman’s side
Top of engine and tender
