Barry Melek Electric Train Sets

Steam Usra

Model Steam Trains and How They Are Classified

When it comes to model steam trains the steam locomotive outshine the modern diesel-electric locomotive. The sight of a 4-8-8-4 Big Boy roaring down the rails gives you some idea of the power the massive engine is capable of producing. This impressive power is transferred to the art of model railroading. Even though most models are powered by an electric engine the steam locomotive still comes across as a powerful locomotive. In model trains you can find or scratch build any steam locomotive ever built. Now let's look at how these locomotives got their name and how steam locomotives are classified.

A system of classifying steam locomotives came into existence in the early twentieth century. This classification system was introduced by Frederick Mathvan Whyte.  The Wythe classification counts the leading wheels followed by the number of powered wheels followed by the number of trailing wheels with dashes between (example 2-4-2).This is a list of the none articulated locomotives:

• 0-2-2  Northumbrian
• 2-2-0 Planet
• 2-2-2 Single, Jenny Lind,
• 2-2-4, 4-2-0 Jervis
• 4-2-2-Bicycle
• 6-2-0 Crampton
• 0-0-4-0 Four-Coupled
• 0-4-2, 0-4-4 Forney
• 2-4-0 Porter, 'Old English
• 2-4-2 Columbia
• 2-4-4, 4-4-0 American, Eight-wheeler
• 4-4-2 Atlantic, 4-4-4 Reading, Jubilee (Canada)
• 0-3-0
• 0-6-0 Six-Coupled, Bourbonnais (France)
• USRA 0-6-0 (United States)
• 0-6-2
• 0-6-4 Forney six-coupled
• 2-6-0 Mogul
• 2-6-2 Prairie
• 2-6-4 Adriatic
• 2-6-6, 4-6-0 Ten-Wheeler (not Britain)
• 4-6-2 Pacific
• 4-6-4 Hudson, Baltic
• 0-8-0 Eight-Coupled
• USSR 0-8-0 (United States)
• 0-8-2
• 0-8-4
• 2-8-0 Consolidation
• 2-8-2 Mikado, Mike, MacArthur
• 2-8-4 Berkshire, Kanawha, 2-8-6 Used only on four Mason Bogie locomotives
• 4-8-0 Mastodon, Twelve-Wheeler
• 4-8-2 Mountain, Mohaw
• 4-8-4 Northern, Niagara, Confederation, Dixie, Greenbrier, Pocono, Potomac, Golden State, Western, General, Wyoming (Lehigh Valley), Governor, Big Apple, GS Series "Daylight" (Southern Pacific)
• 6-8-6 (PRR S2 steam turbine locomotive)
• 0-10-0 Ten-Coupled, (rarely) Decapod
• 0-10-2 Union
• 2-10-0 Decapod, Russian Decapod
• 2-10-2 Santa Fe, Central, Decapod (only on the Southern Pacific)
• 2-10-4 Texas, Colorado (CB&Q), Selkirk (Canada)
• 4-10-0 Mastodon, Gobernador (in honor of El Gobernador)
• 4-10-2 Southern Pacific, Overland
• 0-12-0 Twelve-Coupled
• 2-12-0 Centipede,  2-12-2 Javanic
• 2-12-4,  4-12-2 Union Pacific
• 4-14-4 AA20

So you can see that with these none articulated locomotives that you probably can find one to run on your layout. But, this is not all of the steam locomotives. We will look at articulated locomotives next.

Now let's look at the larger or even monster size locomotive called articulated locomotives. These locomotives were built in several classifications. This is a list of the locomotives:

• 0-4-4-0 Bavarian, BB II
• 2-4-4-0
• 0-4-4-2
• 2-4-4-2
• 0-6-6-0 Erie
• 2-6-6-2 Denver & Salt Lake
• 2-6-6-4 Norfolk & Western
• 2-6-6-6 Allegheny, Blue Ridge
• 4-6-6-2 (Southern Pacific class MM-2)
• 4-6-6-4 Challenger
• 2-6-8-0 (Southern Railway, Great Northern Railway)
• 0-8-8-0 Angus
• 2-8-8-0 Bull Moose
• 2-8-8-2 Chesapeake
• 2-8-8-4 Yellowstone
• 4-8-8-2 Southern Pacific cab forward classes
• 4-8-8-4 Big Boy
• 2-10-10-2 (Santa Fe and Virginian railroads)
• 2-8-8-8-2 Triplex (Erie RR)
• 2-8-8-8-4 Triplex (Virginian RR), Garratt articulated locomotives
• 0-4-0+0-4-0
• 2-6-2+2-6-2

Some of these locomotives are very long. Therefore; if you plan on using them on your layout, remember that they can't make a curve with a tight radius. You really need long sweeping curves for the locomotive to operate properly.

Hope you enjoyed this article,

Steve Barnett

About the Author

Steve Barnett is a model train expert. For more information on model steam trains, visit

http://www.trainmodelingbook.com/how-model-steam-trains-are-classed/

Usra 060 $68.51 High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles The USRA 060 was a USRA standard class of steam locomotive designed under the control of the United States Railroad Administration, the nationalized railroad system in the United States during World War I. This was the standard light switcher of the USRA types, and was obviously of 060 wheel arrangement in the Whyte notation, or C in UIC classification. Author: Surhone, Lambert M./ Tennoe, Mariam T./ Henssonow, Susan F. Binding Type: Paperback Number of Pages: 76 Publication Date: 2010/08/26 Language: English Dimensions: 6.00 x 9.02 x 0.18 inches

Usra 2882 $68.51 High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles The USRA 2882 was a USRA standard class of steam locomotive designed under the control of the United States Railroad Administration, the nationalized railroad system in the United States during World War I. These locomotives were of 2882 wheel arrangement in the Whyte notation, or (1D)D1 in UIC classification. A total of 106 locomotives were built to this plan for the USRA; postwar, it became a de facto standard design. Author: Surhone, Lambert M./ Tennoe, Mariam T./ Henssonow, Susan F. Binding Type: Paperback Number of Pages: 76 Publication Date: 2010/08/26 Language: English Dimensions: 6.00 x 9.02 x 0.18 inches

Usra Light Pacific $68.51 High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles The USRA Light Pacific was a USRA standard class of steam locomotive designed under the control of the United States Railroad Administration, the nationalized railroad system in the United States during World War I. This was the standard light passenger locomotive of the USRA types, and was 462 wheel arrangement in the Whyte notation, or 2 C1 in UIC classification. Author: Surhone, Lambert M./ Tennoe, Mariam T./ Henssonow, Susan F. Binding Type: Paperback Number of Pages: 76 Publication Date: 2010/08/26 Language: English Dimensions: 6.00 x 9.02 x 0.18 inches

Usra Heavy Mikado $68.51 High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles The USRA Heavy Mikado was a USRA standard class of steam locomotive designed under the control of the United States Railroad Administration, the nationalized railroad system in the United States during World War I. These locomotives were of 282 wheel arrangement in the Whyte notation, or 1 D1 in UIC classification. A total of 233 locomotives were built to this plan for the USRA; postwar, it became a de facto standard design, which was built to the total of 957 locomotives including the USRA originals and all subsequent copies. Author: Surhone, Lambert M./ Tennoe, Mariam T./ Henssonow, Susan F. Binding Type: Paperback Number of Pages: 76 Publication Date: 2010/08/26 Language: English Dimensions: 6.00 x 9.02 x 0.18 inches

Usra Light Mikado $68.51 High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles The USRA Light Mikado was a USRA standard class of steam locomotive designed under the control of the United States Railroad Administration, the nationalized railroad system in the United States during World War I. This was the standard light freight locomotive of the USRA types, and was of 282 wheel arrangement in the Whyte notation, or 1 D1 in UIC classification. A USRA Light Mikado type locomotive donated to the Museum of Transportation by the Chicago and Illinois Midland Railway A total of 625 locomotives were built under the auspices of the USRA, with a further 641 copies built after the end of the USRAs control. The first, for the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, was completed in July 1918 and given #4500. The locomotives were considered well designed and modern, and were popular and successful. Large numbers remained in service until replaced by diesel locomotives. Author: Surhone, Lambert M./ Tennoe, Mariam T./ Henssonow, Susan F. Binding Type: Paperback Number of Pages: 76 Publication Date: 2010/08/26 Language: English Dimensions: 6.00 x 9.02 x 0.18 inches

S P Whistle Stop 51601 USRA 060 Slope Tender UP No. 4439 with Smoke HO $113.91 This is a HO Scale DCC Union Pacifc USRA 060 Steam Locomotive with Smoke and Slope Tender (#4439) from Bachmann. Suitable for Ages 14 and Older. Fully assembled weighted and ready to run. DCC equipped. EZ Mate knuckle couplers. Operating smoke unit (smoke oil included). Die cast chassis. Operating headlight. One DCC Union Pacifc USRA 060 Steam Locomotive with Smoke and Slope Tender (#4439).

S P Whistle Stop 51603 USRA 060 with Slope Tender and Smoke BO No. 853 HO $113.91 This is a HO Scale DCC Baltimore and Ohio USRA 060 Steam Locomotive with Smoke and Slope Tender (#353) from Bachmann. Suitable for Ages 14 and Older. Fully assembled weighted and ready to run. DCC equipped. EZ Mate knuckle couplers. Operating smoke unit (smoke oil included). Die cast chassis. Operating headlight. One DCC Baltimore and Ohio USRA 060 Steam Locomotive with Smoke and Slope Tender (#353).

S P Whistle Stop 51602 USRA 060 Slope Tender SF No. 2121 with Smoke HO $113.91 This is a HO Scale DCC Santa Fe USRA 060 Steam Locomotive with Smoke and Slope Tender (#2121) from Bachmann. Suitable for Ages 14 and Older. Fully assembled weighted and ready to run. DCC equipped. EZ Mate knuckle couplers. Operating smoke unit (smoke oil included). Die cast chassis. Operating headlight. One DCC Santa Fe USRA 060 Steam Locomotive with Smoke and Slope Tender (#2121).

S P Whistle Stop 51604 USRA 060 with Smoke and Slope Tender Pennsylvania Railroad No. 7834 HO $113.91 This is a HO Scale DCC Pennsylvania Railroad USRA 060 Steam Locomotive with Smoke and Slope Tender (#7834) from Bachmann. Suitable for Ages 14 and Older. Fully assembled weighted and ready to run. DCC equipped. EZ Mate knuckle couplers. Operating smoke unit (smoke oil included). Die cast chassis. Operating headlight. One DCC Pennsylvania Railroad USRA 060 Steam Locomotive with Smoke and Slope Tender (#7834).

S P Whistle Stop 52001 USRA 060 with Smoke Short Haul Tender Smokey Mountain $113.91 This is the HO Scale DCC USRA Smoky Mountain 060 Steam Locomotive with Smoke and Short Haul Tender (#45) from Bachmann. Suitable for Ages 14 and Older. DCC on board. Dualmode digital command control decoders enabling operatio with a standard DC analog power pack or any NMRAcomplian Digital Command Control system. EZ Mate Mark II couplers with metal coil springs. One DCC USRA Smoky Mountain 060 Steam Locomotive with Smoke and Short Haul Tender (#45).

S P Whistle Stop 51605 USRA 060 with Smoke and Slope Tender NYC No. 232 HO $113.91 This is a HO Scale DCC New York Central USRA 060 Steam Locomotive with Smoke and Slope Tender (#232) from Bachmann. Suitable for Ages 14 and Older. Fully assembled weighted and ready to run. DCC equipped. EZ Mate knuckle couplers. Operating smoke unit (smoke oil included). Die cast chassis. Operating headlight. One DCC New York Central USRA 060 Steam Locomotive with Smoke and Slope Tender (#232).

S P Whistle Stop 51901 USRA 060 with Smoke Vandy Tender UP No. 4443 HO $113.91 This is the HO Scale DCC USRA Union Pacific 060 Steam Locomotive with Smoke and Vanderbilt Tender (#4443) from Bachmann. Suitable for Ages 14 and Older. DCC on board. Dualmode digital command control decoders enabling operatio with a standard DC analog power pack or any NMRAcomplian Digital Command Control system. Speed direction and lighting control. EZ Mate Mark II couplers (with metal coil springs). One DCC USRA Union Pacific 060 Steam Locomotivee with Smoke and Vanderbilt Tender (#4443).

Bachmann Williams BAC50620 Ho Usra 060 Steam Loco Nyc $76.85 Compatible with any HO scale electric track and equipment. Working headlight on the steam locomotive. Locomotive is prepainted with white print: 1905. Brass pins and a brass bell on top of boiler. Tender is prepainted black with white print: New York Central. Tender carries a realistic coal load. Standard black plastic couplers. Black and silver metal drive wheels. Working smoke unit with included smoke liquid. Operation manual provided. Lifetime limited warranty on Bachmann locomotives. Scale: HO 1/87. Length: 51/2 (14cm) Length: 5 (12.7cm). Width: 11/2 (3.8cm) Width: 11/2 (3.8cm). Height: 21/8 (5.4cm) Height: 11/2 (3.8cm).

S P Whistle Stop 81661 Spectrum Steam USRA Light 482 Mountain Powered Union Pacific No. 7012 N Scale $172.66 Designed by the USRA for service during WWI the 482 Mountain proved to be equally at home in passenger and fast freight service. Based on the Light version of the popular prototype this readytorun model features excellent detail including cab interior with glowing firebox working headlight and many separately applied parts. The engine is DCCready while a powerful can motor with flywheel provides plenty of pulling power. A hidden belt drive provides realistic seethrough clearance between the boiler and frame.

Bachmann Williams BAC50552 N Usra 060 Switcher Santa Fe $65.81 For use with all N scale equipment. Black Santa Fe 060 steam switcher locomotive. Locomotive has a die cast housing and metal side frames. Motor with worm gear and insulator. Tender has a sloped shell and traction tires. Locomotive: A.T. S.F. painted in white on each side of the cab. Chrome drive wheels and rods. Thin metal grabrail along sides of boiler. Tender: Black w/3283 painted in white on each side. Wheels are chrome. Locomotive has a lifetime limited warranty. Bachmann quality since 1833. Instructions included. Locomotive and tender come embedded within a styrofoam tray which slides into a windowed cardboard box. One Bachmann N Scale Santa Fe Switcher Locomotive. One Bachmann N Scale Tender. Scale: N 1:160. Length: 23/4 (6.9cm) Length: 13/4 (4.4cm). Width: 3/4 (1.9cm) Width: 3/4 (1.6cm). Height: 11/4 (2.8cm) Height: 1 (2.2cm).

Steam $10.49 Steam

Usra Locomotives : Usra Light Mikado, Usra Heavy Mikado, Frisco 4003, Usra 0-6-0, Usra 0-8-0, Usra 2-8-8-2, Usra Light Santa Fe $9.37 No Synopsis Available

S P Whistle Stop 50440 Usra 060 with Smoke and Short Haul Tender Smoky Mountain No. 97 $87.48 Compatible for any HO scale electric track and equipment. Locomotive is prepainted a deep forest green color with a red cab roof and gold print. Front section of the boiler is silver. Brass pins and brass bell on top of boiler. Tender is prepainted a deep forest green color with gold print. Black wheels and coulpers. Coal load realistically molded. Working headlight on the steam locomotive. Standard black plastic couplers. Black and silver metal drive wheels. Working smoke unit with included smoke fluid. Lifetime limited warranty on Bachmann locomotives. Operation manual provided. Length: 51/2 (14cm) 5 (12.7cm). Width: 11/2 (3.8cm) 11/2 (3.8cm). Height: 21/8 (5.4cm) 17/16 (3.7cm).

Uncle Sam's Locomotives: The Usra and the Nation's Railroads $26.37 During World War I, President Woodrow Wilson established the U.S. Railroad Administration. One of the USRA's first acts was to rationalize the railroad supply industry by standardizing rolling stock designs, including twelve locomotive types, at a time when customized designs were taken for granted. Uncle Sam's Locomotives looks at these magnificent locomotives and discusses how and why the designs were chosen, how they related to existing designs, what standardizing entailed, and how each performed. Huddleston deals masterfully with the complex and often controversial relations between the U.S. Railroad Administration, the railroad companies, the major locomotive builders, and the numerous smaller companies that supplied locomotive accessories. Featured is a Picture Gallery of USRA Locomotives -- light and heavy Mikados, Pacifics, Mountains, Switchers, Santa Fes, and Mallets.

S P Whistle Stop 50605 USRA 060 with Smoke Tender NYC No. 1434 HO $87.48 USRA 060 with Smoke Tender NYC #1434 HO. High quality components. Designed to suit any budget. Satisfaction ensured.

S P Whistle Stop 50604 USRA 060 with Smoke Tender S.FE No. 2128 HO $87.48 USRA 060 with Smoke Tender S.FE #2128 HO. High quality components. Designed to suit any budget. Satisfaction ensured.

S P Whistle Stop 50606 USRA 060 with Smoke Tender Canadian National No. 7356 HO $87.48 USRA 060 with Smoke Tender Canadian National #7356 HO. High quality components. Designed to suit any budget. Satisfaction ensured.

Atlas Model ATM64001 Ho Master Usra Steel Box Undecorated $28.91 By the beginning of WWII, the majority of the classic USRA double-sheathed box cars and theIndustrial Rail clones were rebuilt with steel sides. More rebuilds followed in the late 1940s and early 1950s. By late 1948, close 14,000 of the original 24,500 USRA double-sheathed cars had been rebuilt with quite a degree of variation including the end, door and underframe. These steel side rebuilds were far more popular than theIndustrial Rail single-sheathed counterparts and make a great addition to the Atlas N scale product line. Ready-to-run. Highly detailed body. 10-Panel body. 7-8 or 5-5-5 panel ends as per the prototype. Accurate painting and printing. Brake detail. AccuMate couplers. Opening door. Fishbelly or Straight underframe as per prototype. Separately applied wire grabs and side ladders. Inside height of model may vary from prototype. AccuMate couplers.

Bachmann Williams BAC81662 N Spec Usra 482 Ncamp;Stl $166.27 USRA 482 Light Mountain Nashville Chattanooga St. Louis 555 Inspired by our HO version of the model and equipped with many of the same details found on our awardwinning N scale 280 Consolidation were moving mountains in N scale with this Spectrum USRA 482 Light Mountain. This locomotive performs best on EZ Track curves with a minimum radius of 19 inches. Features include: DCC ready precision motor metal motor and driver axle bearings operating headlight separately applied stack domes and cab completely hidden drive train gear drive metal tender wheels with pickup scale frontmounted dummy knuckle coupler (standard N scale coupler also packed separately) detailed cab interior separate sanding lines separate detail parts including bell whistle pop valves and handrails builders plate diecast finescale driver spokes. An HO scale version of this model is shown for illustration purposes.

Steam Butterfly $10 Steam Butterfly

Steam Hooooot $10 Steam Hooooot

Steam Bee $10 Steam Bee

The Power Of Steam $13.99 The Power Of Steam

Head Of Steam $11.49 Head Of Steam

Steam At Work $11.99 Steam At Work