2-4-2

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This 2-4-2 1899 engine from the Baldwin Locomotive Works was used on the private Raahe track in Finland, and was later bought by the Finnish State Railways.

A 2-4-2 tender locomotive built by the Baldwin Locomotive Works for the Atlantic Coast Line.

In the Whyte notation for the classification of steam locomotives by wheel arrangement, a 2-4-2 has two leading wheels, four driving wheels (two driving axles) and two trailing wheels. The type is sometimes named "Columbia" after an early locomotive of 2-4-2 arrangement.

Other equivalent classifications are:
UIC classification: 1B1 (also known as German classification and Italian classification)
French classification: 121
Turkish classification: 24
Swiss classification: 2/4

The equivalent UIC classification is 1'B1', if the leading and trailing wheels are in swivelling trucks.

While a number of 2-4-2 tender locomotives were built, larger types soon became dominant. The vast majority of 2-4-2s have been tank locomotives, designated 2-4-2T. The symmetrical arrangement suits a tank locomotive, which may travel in either direction.

[edit] See also

• Category:2-4-2 locomotives

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