2-10-0 "Decapod" Locomotives in the USA

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.


Railroads that used 2-10-0 "Decapod" Locomotives in the USA (data provided by Steve Llanso of Sweat House Media)

Surviving Examples of 2-10-0 "Decapod" Locomotives in the USA

No.ClassF.M. WhyteGaugeRailroad LineLocationStatusBuilder InfoNotes
1615Russian2-10-04'-8½"SLSF Missile Park, Altus, OK
display
Baldwin #58829, 1917
950 (600)G2-10-04'-8½"MSP&SSM (Buffalo & Susquehanna) near depot, Ashland, WI
display
Baldwin #17914, 1900
1632Russian2-10-04'-8½"SLSF (Southern) Belton Grandview & Kansas City Railroad, Belton, MO
display
Baldwin #48522, 1918 Cosmetic restoration completed in 2024.
203 (402)D-22-10-04'-8½"GM (AT&N) Southeastern Railway Museum, Duluth, GA
stored
Baldwin #60342, 1928
1625Russian2-10-04'-8½"SLSF Museum of the American Railroad, Frisco, TX
display
Alco (Schenectady) #58903, 1918
209 (533)D-22-10-04'-8½"GM (SAL) park, Gainesville, GA
display
Baldwin #61233, 1930
4483I1sa2-10-04'-8½"PRR Western NY Railway Hist Soc, Hamburg, NY
display
Baldwin #56534, 1923 Possible candidate for restoration to operation with the proper funding. May be moved to the Heritage Discovery Center.
544 (206)Russian2-10-04'-8½"SAL (GM) North Carolina Transportation Museum, Spencer, NC
display
Alco (Brooks) #58902, 1918
1621Russian2-10-04'-8½"SLSF Museum of Transportation, St. Louis, MO
display
Baldwin #48420, 1918
9012-42-F2-10-04'-8½"Strasburg (GWR) Strasburg Railroad, Strasburg, PA
operational
Baldwin #57812, 1924 One of only two 2-10-0 type steam locomotives in operation in the USA, the other one being Frisco 1630 at the IRM, Union, IL. Taken out of service in December 2023. Returned to service Jan 2025.
41 (401)12-42-F2-10-04'-8½"Woodward Iron (AT&N) Age of Steam Roundhouse, Sugarcreek, OH
display
Baldwin #60341, 1928Sold to Georgia Car & Loco Co. in 1946; sold to Woodward Iron Co. in 1948; sold to Mid-Continent RR Museum in 1964.
1630Russian2-10-04'-8½"SLSF Illinois Railway Museum, Union, IL
operational
Baldwin #47953, 1918 Appeared in 'A League of Their Own'. One of only two 2-10-0 type steam locomotives in operation in the USA, the other one being Great Western 90 at the Strasburg Railroad. Previously operated in 2004. Restored back to operation in late October 2013.
208 (530)D-22-10-04'-8½"GM (SAL) Winder Chamber of Commerce, Winder, GA
display
Baldwin #61230, 1930

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