Norfolk and Western 2050

Specifications
Specifications
Configuration:;
• Whyte	2-8-8-2
• UIC	(1′D)D1′ hv4
Gauge	4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm)
Leading dia.	30 in (760 mm)
Driver dia.	57 in (1,400 mm)
Trailing dia.	30 in (760 mm)
Tender wheels	33 in (840 mm)
Wheelbase	67 ft 4 in (20.52 m)
• incl. tender	93 ft 3 in (28.42 m)
Length	113 ft 3 in (34.52 m)
Width	11 ft 3 in (3.43 m)
Height	15 ft 8+5⁄8 in (4.79 m)
Adhesive weight	478,000 lb (217,000 kg)
Loco weight	531,000 lb (241,000 kg)
Tender weight	209,100 lb (94,800 kg)
Total weight	740,100 lb (335,700 kg)
Fuel type	Coal
Fuel capacity	30 t (30 long tons; 33 short tons)
Water cap.	22,000 US gal (83,000 L; 18,000 imp gal)
Firebox:
• Grate area	96 sq ft (8.9 m2)
Boiler:;
• Type	Straight Top
• Diameter	98 in (2,500 mm)
• Small tubes	2+1⁄4 in (57 mm)
• Large tubes	5+1⁄2 in (140 mm)
Boiler pressure	270 psi (1.862 MPa)
Heating surface:
• Firebox	435 sq ft (40.4 m2)
• Tubes	3,860 sq ft (359 m2)
• Flues	1,825 sq ft (169.5 m2)
• Total surface	6,120 sq ft (569 m2)
Superheater:;
• Heating area	145 sq ft (13.5 m2)
Cylinders	Four: two low-pressure (front), two high-pressure (rear)
High-pressure cylinder	25 in × 32 in (640 mm × 810 mm)
Low-pressure cylinder	39 in × 32 in (990 mm × 810 mm)
Valve gear	Baker
Valve type	Piston
Loco brake	6ET

Type and origin
Type and origin
	References:
Power type	Steam
Builder	ALCO's Richmond Works
Serial number	64070
Build date	March 1923

Norfolk and Western 2050
Norfolk and Western 2050
	Norfolk and Western 2050 on static display at the Illinois Railway Museum on September 19, 2015
Power type
Type and origin
	References:
Power type	Steam
Builder	ALCO's Richmond Works
Serial number	64070
Build date	March 1923
Configuration:;
Specifications
Configuration:;
• Whyte	2-8-8-2
• UIC	(1′D)D1′ hv4
Gauge	4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm)
Leading dia.	30 in (760 mm)
Driver dia.	57 in (1,400 mm)
Trailing dia.	30 in (760 mm)
Tender wheels	33 in (840 mm)
Wheelbase	67 ft 4 in (20.52 m)
• incl. tender	93 ft 3 in (28.42 m)
Length	113 ft 3 in (34.52 m)
Width	11 ft 3 in (3.43 m)
Height	15 ft 8+5⁄8 in (4.79 m)
Adhesive weight	478,000 lb (217,000 kg)
Loco weight	531,000 lb (241,000 kg)
Tender weight	209,100 lb (94,800 kg)
Total weight	740,100 lb (335,700 kg)
Fuel type	Coal
Fuel capacity	30 t (30 long tons; 33 short tons)
Water cap.	22,000 US gal (83,000 L; 18,000 imp gal)
Firebox:
• Grate area	96 sq ft (8.9 m2)
Boiler:;
• Type	Straight Top
• Diameter	98 in (2,500 mm)
• Small tubes	2+1⁄4 in (57 mm)
• Large tubes	5+1⁄2 in (140 mm)
Boiler pressure	270 psi (1.862 MPa)
Heating surface:
• Firebox	435 sq ft (40.4 m2)
• Tubes	3,860 sq ft (359 m2)
• Flues	1,825 sq ft (169.5 m2)
• Total surface	6,120 sq ft (569 m2)
Superheater:;
• Heating area	145 sq ft (13.5 m2)
Cylinders	Four: two low-pressure (front), two high-pressure (rear)
High-pressure cylinder	25 in × 32 in (640 mm × 810 mm)
Low-pressure cylinder	39 in × 32 in (990 mm × 810 mm)
Valve gear	Baker
Valve type	Piston
Loco brake	6ET
Tractive effort
Performance figures
Tractive effort	(Simple: 136,985 lbf (609.3 kN)) (Compound: 114,154 lbf (507.8 kN))
Operators
Career
Operators	Norfolk and Western Railway
Class	Y3a
Number in class	1 of 30
Numbers	N&W 2050
Retired	1959
Preserved	1975
Current owner	Illinois Railway Museum
Disposition	On static display

Norfolk and Western 2050 is a Y3a class 2-8-8-2 Compound Mallet steam locomotive built in March 1923 by the American Locomotive Company's (ALCO) Richmond, Virginia Works for the Norfolk and Western Railway (N&W). The locomotive primarily helped haul the N&W's freight and coal trains, but by the end of the 1950s, it was relegated as a hump yard switcher.

Retired from service in 1959, No. 2050 was sold for scrap to the Armco Steel Corporation of Middletown, Ohio, but it was withheld as a stationary boiler. Following some conversations and sentimentality between Armco employees and Illinois Railway Museum (IRM) members, the locomotive was donated to the IRM in 1975, and it was moved to their property in Union, Illinois the following year. As of 2025, No. 2050 is on static display at the IRM.