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10 Unknown Facts About the Legendary 4-10-2 Reid Ten Wheeler Locomotive

Here are 10 lesser-known facts about the 4-10-2 (Reid Ten Wheeler/Southern Pacific) locomotive:

1. First Built for Southern Pacific: The 4-10-2 was initially developed for Southern Pacific Railroad in 1925, making it a specialized locomotive for the company's challenging routes.

2. Three-Cylinder Drive: Unlike most locomotives of its era, the 4-10-2 featured three cylinders. The center cylinder operated an additional crankshaft connected to the middle driving axle, which helped distribute power more evenly.

3. High-Speed Freight Capacity: It was designed to handle both heavy freight and passenger services at higher speeds compared to other locomotives like the 2-10-2.

4. Limited Adoption: Only a few railroads, including Southern Pacific and Union Pacific, adopted this configuration due to its complexity and high maintenance requirements.

5. Wheel Slip Issues: The third cylinder's additional power sometimes caused uneven wheel slip, making the locomotive challenging to handle under certain conditions.

6. Unique Brake System: The Southern Pacific version used a peculiar brake system with dynamic equalization to accommodate the extra weight and power distribution across the ten driving wheels.

7. Nickname Origin: The term “Reid Ten Wheeler” originates from A.J. Reid, a Southern Pacific mechanical engineer instrumental in its development.

8. Challenges with Maintenance: The central cylinder and associated gear required more maintenance than two-cylinder designs, leading to its eventual decline in favor of simpler alternatives.

9. Final Models in Service: The 4-10-2 locomotives remained in operation into the 1950s before being retired, replaced by diesel-electric locomotives.

10. Preservation: No 4-10-2 locomotives are known to have been preserved, making them a lost relic of steam-era innovation.