4-4-2 "Atlantic" Locomotives in the USA

In 1887 the New York, Providence & Boston added a trailing axle to a 4-4-0 in order to spread its weight over more axles. That same year Hinkley built an experimental center-cab 4-4-2. The AT&SF bought a similar experimental locomotive.

The ACL (Atlantic Coast Line) was interested in a locomotive with more steaming capacity than their 4-4-0s. In 1894 Baldwin designed a conventional 4-4-2 locomotive for the ACL and named it after them. Other railroads bought and called these locomotives "Atlantics". However, the Brooks Locomotive Company gave the name "Chautauqua" to this wheel arrangement. Also, Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul & Pacific (The Milwaukee Road) used the name "Milwaukee" for this wheel arrangement.

With 178, the AT&SF owned the most of this wheel arrangement. However, the 4-4-2 was probably made most famous by the Milwaukee Road when they built four very large streamlined versions of this locomotive to pull the Hiawatha. These locomotives were the first built streamlined and were designed to cruise at 100 mph.


Railroads that used 4-4-2 "Atlantic" Locomotives in the USA (data provided by Steve Llanso of Sweat House Media)


Surviving Examples of 4-4-2 "Atlantic" Locomotives in the USA

No.ClassF.M. WhyteGaugeRailroad LineLocationStatusBuilder InfoNotes
9 (76)4-4-224"Frisco (Wayne Co. Board of Roads Commission) Silver Dollar City, Branson, MOdisplayDavenport Locomotive Works #1900, 01/1922 Acquired from Alexandria Bay, NY in 1961 as SDC's first locomotive. Retired from operation in the 1980s. Repainted and cosmetically restored in 2017, then placed on display near the Frisco Silver Dollar Line train depot. Incorrectly numbered 6.
4004-4-215" Buckley Old Engine Show, Buckley, MIoperationalLawrence WitherillFrom the Clinch Park Zoo, Traverse City, MI.
45 (8085)I-80a4-4-24'-8½"DT&I (NYC) Greenfield Village, Dearborn, MIdisplayAlco (Schenectady) #25887, 03/1902 Beautifully restored.
30014-4-212"Folsom Valley Railway Folsom Valley Railway, Folsom, CAoperationalAlan Shelly (Sacramento), 1949 From Seattle, WA.
3004-4-212"WF&P Wabash, Frisco & Pacific Railroad, Glencoe, MOout of serviceV.A. Schmodt (Alton, IL), 1958Awaiting boiler repairs.
4-4-215" American Farm Heritage Railroad, Greenville, ILrestorationWagner, 1926
3025A-34-4-24'-8½"SP Travel Town Museum, Los Angeles, CAdisplayAlco (Schenectady) #30005, 1904
124-4-216"Whiskey River Little A-Merrick-A Amusement Park, Marshall, WIoperationalNorm Gracey, 1969Named Gracey.
1916D4-4-215"Milwaukee County Zoo, Milwaukee, WIoperationalSandley (Janesville), 1961Named Harry J. Grant.
1015D4-4-24'-8½"C&NW Museum of Transportation, St. Louis, MOstoredAlco (Schenectady) #5613, 190080 inch drivers! To be cosmetically restored.
460E6s4-4-24'-8½"PRR Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania, Strasburg, PAdisplayPRR (Juniata) #2860, 1914Named 'Lindbergh Engine'.
7002 (8063)E-7s4-4-24'-8½"PRR Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania, Strasburg, PAdisplayPRR (Juniata) #929, 08/1902At 127.1 MPH (June 11, 1905) the real 7002 was the fastest steam locomotive in the world. Leased to the Strasburg Railroad from 1983 to 1989 for excursion service.
128D4-4-2T15"R&GN (C&NW)Wisconsin Dells, WIdismantledSandley (Janesville), 1948From the Knoxville Zoo. Possible restoration.

Web Pages

All material Copyright © SteamLocomotive.com
Wes Barris