Norfolk and Western 1218

Specifications
Specifications
Configuration:;
• Whyte	2-6-6-4
• UIC	(1′C)C2′ h4g
Gauge	4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm)
Leading dia.	33 in (838 mm)
Driver dia.	70 in (1,778 mm)
Trailing dia.	42 in (1,067 mm)
Length	121 ft 9+1⁄4 in (37.1 m) including tender
Width	11 ft 2 in (3.4 m)
Height	16 ft (4.88 m)
Axle load	72,000 lb (32.7 tonnes)
Adhesive weight	433,350 lb (196.6 tonnes)
Loco weight	573,000 lb (259.9 tonnes)
Tender weight	378,600 lb (171.7 tonnes)
Total weight	951,600 lb (431.6 tonnes)
Fuel type	Coal
Fuel capacity	35 t (34.4 long tons; 38.6 short tons)
Water cap.	22,000 US gal (83,000 L; 18,000 imp gal)
Fuel consumption	7 short tons (6.4 t) of coal per hour; 13,906 US gal (52,640 L; 11,579 imp gal) of water per hour
Firebox:
• Grate area	122 sq ft (11.3 m2)
Boiler	106 in (2,692 mm)
Boiler pressure	300 lbf/in2 (2.07 MPa)
Heating surface:
• Firebox	587 sq ft (54.5 m2)
• Tubes and flues	6,052 sq ft (562.2 m2)
Superheater:;
• Type	Type E
• Heating area	2,703 sq ft (251.1 m2)
Cylinders	Four, simple articulated
Cylinder size	24 in × 30 in (610 mm × 762 mm)
Valve gear	Baker
Valve type	Piston valves

Type and origin
Type and origin
Power type	Steam
Designer	John A. Pilcher
Builder	Roanoke Shops (East End Shops)
Serial number	340
Build date	June 2, 1943
Rebuild date	1985–1987

Norfolk and Western 1218
Norfolk and Western 1218
	Norfolk and Western No. 1218 on display at the Virginia Museum of Transportation in October 2016
Power type
Type and origin
Power type	Steam
Designer	John A. Pilcher
Builder	Roanoke Shops (East End Shops)
Serial number	340
Build date	June 2, 1943
Rebuild date	1985–1987
Configuration:;
Specifications
Configuration:;
• Whyte	2-6-6-4
• UIC	(1′C)C2′ h4g
Gauge	4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm)
Leading dia.	33 in (838 mm)
Driver dia.	70 in (1,778 mm)
Trailing dia.	42 in (1,067 mm)
Length	121 ft 9+1⁄4 in (37.1 m) including tender
Width	11 ft 2 in (3.4 m)
Height	16 ft (4.88 m)
Axle load	72,000 lb (32.7 tonnes)
Adhesive weight	433,350 lb (196.6 tonnes)
Loco weight	573,000 lb (259.9 tonnes)
Tender weight	378,600 lb (171.7 tonnes)
Total weight	951,600 lb (431.6 tonnes)
Fuel type	Coal
Fuel capacity	35 t (34.4 long tons; 38.6 short tons)
Water cap.	22,000 US gal (83,000 L; 18,000 imp gal)
Fuel consumption	7 short tons (6.4 t) of coal per hour; 13,906 US gal (52,640 L; 11,579 imp gal) of water per hour
Firebox:
• Grate area	122 sq ft (11.3 m2)
Boiler	106 in (2,692 mm)
Boiler pressure	300 lbf/in2 (2.07 MPa)
Heating surface:
• Firebox	587 sq ft (54.5 m2)
• Tubes and flues	6,052 sq ft (562.2 m2)
Superheater:;
• Type	Type E
• Heating area	2,703 sq ft (251.1 m2)
Cylinders	Four, simple articulated
Cylinder size	24 in × 30 in (610 mm × 762 mm)
Valve gear	Baker
Valve type	Piston valves
Maximum speed
Performance figures
Maximum speed	70+ mph
Power output	5,400 hp (4,000 kW)
Tractive effort	114,000 lbf (507.10 kN)
Factor of adh.	3.8
Operators
Career
Operators	Norfolk and Western Railway→Norfolk Southern Railway
Class	A
Number in class	19 of 43
Numbers	1218;
Nicknames	"The Mercede of Steam";
Locale	United States, South and Midwest
Retired	July 1959 (revenue service); November 1991 (excursion service)
Preserved	1965
Restored	January 13, 1987
Current owner	Virginia Museum of Transportation
Disposition	On static display
	Norfolk & Western Class A No. 1218 Locomotive
	U.S. National Register of Historic Places
Location	303 Norfolk Avenue SW, Roanoke, Virginia
Coordinates	37°16′23″N 79°56′50″W / 37.272943°N 79.947231°W
Built	1943
Built by	Roanoke Shops
NRHP reference No.	100011843
Added to NRHP	May 19, 2025

37°16′23″N 79°56′50″W / 37.272943°N 79.947231°W / 37.272943; -79.947231 Norfolk and Western 1218 is the only surviving example of the Norfolk and Western Railway’s (N&W) A class 2-6-6-4 steam locomotives. It was built in June 1943 by the Norfolk and Western's (N&W) Roanoke (East End) Shops in Roanoke, Virginia. No. 1218 was retired from regular revenue service in July 1959 and was later restored by Norfolk Southern for excursion service for their steam program, pulling excursions throughout the eastern United States from 1987 to 1991. No. 1218 is currently on display at the Virginia Museum of Transportation in Roanoke.