0-4-4T Wheel Arrangement Explained: A Steam Era Marvel
0-4-4T Wheel Arrangement Explained: A Steam Era Marvel If you've ever stumbled across the term 0-4-4T while reading about historic steam locomotives, you might be wondering what it actually means. This combination of numbers and letters isn’t just random—it tells a detailed story about how a locomotive is designed and how it operates. Let’s break down the 0-4-4T wheel arrangement , and why it played a key role in railway history. What Is the 0-4-4T Wheel Arrangement? The 0-4-4T classification comes from the Whyte notation system , which is used to describe steam locomotive wheel arrangements. Here's how to decode it: 0 leading wheels: No small wheels at the front. 4 driving wheels: Two powered axles, providing traction. 4 trailing wheels: Two axles at the back, typically in a swiveling bogie to support the weight and enhance stability. T stands for Tank locomotive , meaning the engine carries its water and fuel in onboard tanks, not in a separate tender. Why ...