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The Norfolk and Western Classes E2 and E2a was a class of sixteen 4-6-2 "Pacific" type steam locomotives that were built by ALCO's Richmond Works for the Norfolk and Western Railway in 1910.

History[]

Construction and delivery[]

A total of sixteen examples of the Norfolk and Western Class E2 were ever constructed by ALCO's Richmond Works in 1910, and all sixteen of them were delivered to the Norfolk and Western Railway in that same year, These locomotives were designed for moving passenger trains across the Norfolk and Western Railway's system.

Rebuilds[]

All sixteen examples of the Norfolk and Western Class E2 were rebuilt/converted into the Class E2a for an unknown reason.

Assignment[]

These locomotives were designed for moving the railway's high-priority passenger trains across the Norfolk and Western Railway's system, but when the K class 4-8-2 "Mountain" types and J class 4-8-4 "Northerns" were built and assigned to pull the high-priority trains, they were reassigned to hauling short-distance passenger trains on the Norfolk and Western Railway's system.

Withdrawal[]

Withdrawal of the Class E2/E2a had occurred between 1942 and 1958 and fifteen out of the sixteen examples were scrapped with one example No. 578 being left behind.

Sole Survivor[]

No. 578 was constructed in March 1910, and was retired from revenue service in December 1958 and was donated to the Central Ohio Railfan Association of Worthington, Ohio in 1959.

Upon arrival in Worthington, Ohio, No. 578 was still in operational condition, and so, beginning in 1960, the association had decided to use the 578 to pull their own short-distance tourist trains for five times a year.

This had lasted until 1966, when the locomotive's flue-time had expired. Volunteers had subsequently spent the next four years repairing No. 578's boiler in order for No. 578 to return to excursion service. Restoration work was completed in 1970, and the locomotive pulled a few more tourist trains on the now slightly extended line for the Association, which recently changed their name to the Ohio Railway Museum (ORM).

Shortly afterward, it was suddenly discovered that No. 578 had a broken spring hanger, which was deemed too expensive to repair and/or replace. A decision was sadly made to retire No. 578 from excursion service and keep her as a permanent static display exhibit.

As of today, No. 578 remains on static display on ORM's property.

Stock list[]

E2[]

Image Loco No. Build date Manufacturer Retirement date Status Notes
Frameless 564 1910 ALCO's Richmond Works - Scrapped
Frameless 565 1910 ALCO's Richmond Works - Scrapped
Frameless 566 1910 ALCO's Richmond Works - Scrapped
Frameless 567 1910 ALCO's Richmond Works - Scrapped
Frameless 568 1910 ALCO's Richmond Works - Scrapped
Frameless 569 1910 ALCO's Richmond Works - Scrapped
Frameless 570 1910 ALCO's Richmond Works - Scrapped
Frameless 571 1910 ALCO's Richmond Works - Scrapped
Frameless 572 1910 ALCO's Richmond Works - Scrapped
Frameless 573 1910 ALCO's Richmond Works - Scrapped
Frameless 574 1910 ALCO's Richmond Works - Scrapped
Frameless 575 1910 ALCO's Richmond Works - Scrapped
Frameless 576 1910 ALCO's Richmond Works - Scrapped
Frameless 577 1910 ALCO's Richmond Works - Scrapped
8240667096 4715f895b4 b 578 March 1910 ALCO's Richmond Works December 1958 (revenue service)

1970 (excursion service)

On static display at the Ohio Railway Museum Used in excursion service until 1970 when it was retired and put on static display at the Ohio Railway Museum
Frameless 579 1910 ALCO's Richmond Works - Scrapped

E2a[]

Image Loco No. Build date Manufacturer Retirement date Status Notes
Frameless 553 1912 ALCO's Richmond Works - Scrapped
Frameless 554 1912 ALCO's Richmond Works - Scrapped
Norfolk and Western Class E2a No. 555 555 1912 ALCO's Richmond Works Scrapped
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