I love the look of the 2-8-0 steam engines, but have seen a wide variation in their design from earlier to later models. Was the term Consolidation applied only to the World War I era engines?
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Consolidation, as far as I have ever heard, is the only designation applied to the 2-8-0
wheel arrangement. Some other arrangements have several names, as favored by
certain railroads, but have not heard of another for this one. And I THINK I read the
name was applied because a railroad that was a consolidation of smaller roads first
used them.
The name came from the consolidation of several small railroads to form the Lehigh Valley. The 2-8-0 configuration was the first locomotive purchased by the newly formed railroad from Baldwin. Both Baldwin and ALCO built Consolidations with the last ground up locos built in the mid-1920's, I believe, although modifications to existing locos continued into the 1930's.
Poppyl
Weren't the locos built in WWII for shipment to France and the rest of Europe Consolidations?
I have seen them referred to as "Consols" here and there, but from what I know, all 2-8-0's were called "Consolidations."
Thanks to all of you for your replies. 
Originally Posted by RoyBoy:
Weren't the locos built in WWII for shipment to France and the rest of Europe Consolidations?
I believe that the US Army shipped at least a couple of thousand Consolidations to the European theater during the war. Belgian railways bought 300 units after the end of the war to replace equipment lost during the war. In both cases I suspect that these units were surplus from US roads.
Poppyl
Originally Posted by poppyl:
Originally Posted by RoyBoy:
Weren't the locos built in WWII for shipment to France and the rest of Europe Consolidations?
I believe that the US Army shipped at least a couple of thousand Consolidations to the European theater during the war. Belgian railways bought 300 units after the end of the war to replace equipment lost during the war. In both cases I suspect that these units were surplus from US roads.
Poppyl
US railroads didn't have surplus locomotives during WWII.
Rusty
If all 2-8-0s are Consolidations, what does the phrase USRA Consolidation denote? The same thing, just a little more detail perhaps?
The United States Railway Administration operated the railroads under one authority during WWI and dissolved in 1920. They designed many locomotives and freight cars, but no 2-8-0 designs were built.
Originally Posted by Drydock:
Thank you for the correction. I had forgotten about the 2160 S160's.
Poppyl
There were no such beasts as USRA Consolidations, but there were cases where longer names were used to clarify certain examples. The Harriman Consolidations come to mind.
Rob
Originally Posted by OGR Webmaster:
I have seen them referred to as "Consols" here and there, but from what I know, all 2-8-0's were called "Consolidations."
SP crews called these locomotives "hogs." Seeing Rob's comment about their Harriman consolidations reminded me of that. Their official name was still Consolidations though.
Some of the last existing Consolidations are Lake Superior and Ishpeming Ore carriers late into the 50's. Western Maryland Scenic is one and there are a couple in storage used by the Grand Canyon Railroad.
Originally Posted by Mike CT:
Some of the last existing Consolidations are Lake Superior and Ipeshing (spelling) Ore carriers late into the 50's. Western Maryland Scenic is one and there are a couple in storage used by the Grand Canyon Railroad.
WMS's is an ex-LS&I 2-8-0, masterfully recreated as a WM locomotive.
IRM also has three 2-8-0's rattling around in their collection: LS&I 35, L&A 99 and UP 428.
Rusty
Originally Posted by Mike CT:
Some of the last existing Consolidations are Lake Superior and Ipeshing (spelling) Ore carriers late into the 50's. Western Maryland Scenic is one and there are a couple in storage used by the Grand Canyon Railroad.
And this one:
http://www.esrm.com/engine23.php
2-8-0 was not among the 12 wheel arrangements designed and built by USRA. Henry Pearce had a 2-8-0 kit he termed a USRA 2-8-0; it used many parts common to his USRA 0-8-0. I had one of each, still have the 0-8-0 which I got in 1962 and took a few years to build.
If you read Al Staufer's B&O Power you'll see some of their 2-8-8-0s referred to as USRA engines, but the only USRA articulateds were 2-6-6-2s and 2-8-8-2s.
EdKing
Here is a broadside of the WMSR's "masterfully recreated as a WM" engine.
And she IS.
She is a 1916 Baldwin built locomotive.
E
Home from a wonderful two weeks in Vermont and Boston. Access to my computer files. Note the differences, Baldwin (Western Maryland Scenic), and Alco (Grand Canyon). Both were LS&I. Big Consolidations.
Western Maryland Scenic 
Grand Canyon Railroad
Boiler Plate, built in Pittsburgh, PA.
Yes, quite a variety among the 2-8-0s. Thanks for your contributions, gentlemen.
Getting back on the subject of 734, it's too bad she's "landlocked" by CSX!
Originally Posted by Kent Loudon:
Getting back on the subject of 734, it's too bad she's "landlocked" by CSX!
What is even more of a shame is that Grand Canyon 29 was parked a few years ago "due to environmental reasons" with a nearly fresh 1472! It still sits, with the clock ticking likely never to run again under current ownership/management.
Originally Posted by SJC:
Originally Posted by Kent Loudon:
Getting back on the subject of 734, it's too bad she's "landlocked" by CSX!
What is even more of a shame is that Grand Canyon 29 was parked a few years ago "due to environmental reasons" with a nearly fresh 1472! It still sits, with the clock ticking likely never to run again under current ownership/management.
Its also a shame that a sister to Southern 630 (722) exists over in the toe of western NC in a bunch of pieces that probably will never be put back together again . . .
EdKing
Originally Posted by Edward King:
Its also a shame that a sister to Southern 630 (722) exists over in the toe of western NC in a bunch of pieces that probably will never be put back together again . . .
EdKing
Ugh. Don't remind me. I was there the day they brought 722 from Asheville to Dillsboro. So much optimism at the time, and then it all went south so fast. Very sad for all concerned, and those who never got to see Great Smoky Mountains Railway during the steam days really missed simply THE best steam show on the east coast in the late 90s (and early 2000s).
Kevin
