2-8-8-2 "Chesapeake" Locomotives in the USA

The first examples of this wheel arrangement were built in 1909 for the Southern Pacific. They were experimental Mallet type locomotives with the boiler split into two sections. The front section was more of a feedwater heater than a boiler. These locomotives later evolved into the now famous cab forward design.

Although most railroads did not have a specific name for this wheel arrangement, the C&O called them "Chesapeakes" while the SP called them "Mallet Consolidations".

Norfolk & Western made this design famous by spending many years putting a lot of effort into perfecting the compound design. The N&W ended up with the ultimate stump-puller in their 2-8-8-2s with unsurpassed pulling ability. Fortunately, two of these impressive steam locomotives survive today.

Railroads that used 2-8-8-2 "Chesapeake" Locomotives in the USA (data provided by Steve Llanso of Sweat House Media)

Railroads that used 2-8-8-2 locomotives in other countries

Surviving Examples of 2-8-8-2 "Chesapeake" Locomotives in the USA

No.	Class	F.M. Whyte	Gauge	Railroad Line	Location	Status	Builder Info	Notes
2156	Y6a	2-8-8-2	4'-8½"	N&W	Museum of Transportation, St. Louis, MO	display	N&W #317, 1942	One of two surviving 2-8-8-2 locomotives in the USA. Loaned to the Virginia Museum of Transportation, Roanoke, VA from May 2015 to June 2020.
2050	Y3a	2-8-8-2	4'-8½"	N&W	Illinois Railway Museum, Union, IL	display	Alco (Richmond) #64070, 1923	Came to the museum in the late 1970s. One of only two surviving N&W 2-8-8-2 type locomotives, the other one being N&W Y6a class 2156 at the Museum of Transportation, St. Louis, MO.