The OR23-01 Class 2-10-4 was an experimental 2-10-4 "Texas" type built in Soviet Russia in 1949.
Original Concept[]
The original idea of the OR23 was that if a steam locomotive were to use opposed pistons with rods on both ends to power the driving wheels. This, in theory, would reduce a common problem with reciprocating locomotives: hammer blow. By using rocking levers and a central eccentric link, the intent was to balance the forces on the driving wheels, which would allow the counterweights to be smaller and reduce the hammer forces on the rails.
Verdict[]
The locomotive was a failure, and the design was never repeated. It never left the testing phase, and was returned to its builder and scrapped shortly after.