2-10-0 "Decapod" Type Locomotives

The first 2-10-0 example used in the USA were built in 1867 for the Lehigh Valley Railroad. The next big increase in number of this wheel arrangement occurred when 1200 were ordered by Imperial Russia. However, before they could all be built and delivered the Bolshevik revolution occurred leaving more than 200 2-10-0 locomotives unclaimed in the USA. These were modified to USA standards and used by several railroads in the USA.

The Pennsylvania Railroad ended up using the greatest number (598) of 2-10-0 locomotives. They were quite successfully used on the PRR Allegheny Mountain routes.

Because of the lack of a rear truck, the 2-10-0 wheel arrangement meant that the firebox be place between the drives making it very narrow or on top of the drivers making it very high and shallow also limiting the driver diameter. As a result, these locomotives could only be used for slow drag service.