The C&O Allegheny steam locomotives, often compared to the Union Pacific Big Boy, are among the most powerful and largest steam engines ever built. Introduced in 1941, the C&O Allegheny represented the pinnacle of steam locomotive technology. Weighing around 1.2 million pounds and generating about 7,500 horsepower, these machines were true behemoths.
Designed and built by Lima Locomotive Works for the Chesapeake & Ohio Railroad, the Allegheny was named after the line it was intended to serve in Southern and Western Virginia. However, just 11 years after their introduction, C&O began phasing out these mighty locomotives.
With the rise of diesel and electric locomotives, which proved more flexible and cost-effective, the era of steam engines came to an end. Despite this, the C&O Allegheny’s cutting-edge technology lives on, with two preserved examples standing as reminders of their incredible power and performance.
C&O #1601 was so large that it took 3 tries to get it into The Henry Ford. (Photo: The Henry Ford via CC by 3.0)
The C&O Allegheny steam locomotive: An overview
The Chesapeake and Ohio H-8 were part of the 60 2-6-6-6 C&O Allegheny steam locomotives built by Lima Locomotive Works, based in Lima, Ohio. These locomotives were constructed between 1941 and 1948, but unfortunately, their service ended in the mid-1950s.
The C&O Allegheny was considered one of the most powerful steam locomotives ever built. The 2-6-6-6 configuration is an articulated design, featuring two leading wheels at the front. The C&O Allegheny represented the cutting-edge technology of its time, visible in every aspect of this massive engine. In addition to the front wheels, it featured six driving wheels and six trailing wheels, divided into two sets each. Notably, only two versions of the 2-6-6-6 were ever constructed—one being the famous “Allegheny” and the other the “Blue Ridge,” designed for the Virginia Railway.
When Lima Locomotive Works built the 2-6-6-6 for the Chesapeake & Ohio in 1941, these powerful locomotives were used to haul heavy coal trains through the rugged Allegheny Mountains, which is how they earned their name.
Weighing around 386 tons and producing 7,500 horsepower, the 2-6-6-6 was among the heaviest and most powerful steam engines ever created. The tender, when fully loaded with coal and water, weighed approximately 215 tons.
Lima Locomotive Works builders photo for the 2-6-6-6 H-8 “Allegheny” class locomotive.
How many Alleghenies still exist?
Lima Locomotive Works built 60 C&O Alleghenies for the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway between 1941 and 1948. Additionally, another class called the “Blue Ridge” was produced, with eight locomotives made for the Virginia Railway in 1945.
Today, only two Alleghenies remain preserved: #1601 and #1604. After being retired by C&O Railway in 1956, #1601 was donated to the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, Michigan, where it has been housed indoors ever since.
The story of #1604 is a bit different. Initially sent to the Chesapeake and Ohio scrap lines near their diesel workshops in Russell, Kentucky, it was later donated to the Virginia Museum in Roanoke, where it was displayed next to the N&W 1218.
On November 4, 1985, #1604 suffered partial damage from waterlogging due to a flood, which washed away the ground beneath the locomotive, putting it at risk of tipping over. Thankfully, it didn’t flip.
In 1987, Norfolk Southern undertook a full cosmetic overhaul of #1604 at their Roanoke workshop. Once completed, the locomotive was moved to Baltimore, where it became the centerpiece of a shopping center at Mount Clare Junction, located next to the B&O Railroad Museum. In 1989, the shopping center donated #1604 to the museum, where it remains to this day.
#1604 on display at the B&O Museum. (Photo: Nigel Menzies via CC by 2.0)
Why were these locomotives designed?
The Allegheny steam locomotives were specifically designed to haul coal trains over the challenging eastward climb from White Sulphur Springs in West Virginia to the Allegheny Mountains. In essence, these locomotives were built to conquer the difficult terrain of the Allegheny Mountains while transporting freight.
Their name, “Alleghenies,” comes from this very task. These powerful engines were capable of pulling coal trains weighing around 11,500 tons, as well as 60 passenger cars, all with remarkable ease, thanks to the innovative design and technology of the 2-6-6-6 configuration.
In addition, the Alleghenies had the heaviest axle load of any steam locomotive, with a maximum load of about 86,700 pounds. During a test conducted by the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway, the locomotives were found to generate between 6,700 and 6,900 horsepower while running at 72 kilometers per hour (45 miles per hour).
Each locomotive, placed at the front and back of the coal train, would depart from Hinton, West Virginia, and power the train at full throttle up to the Allegheny Mountains from White Sulphur Springs. The C&O Railway’s 2-6-6-6 locomotives easily managed coal trains from West Virginia to Columbus, Ohio, without issue.
C&O #1601, an Allegheny locomotive, at The Henry Ford Museum in Michigan. (Photo: The Henry Ford via CC by 3.0)
What Need Did the C&O Have for Them?
As mentioned, the primary purpose of the C&O Allegheny steam locomotive was to create a powerful machine capable of hauling heavy trains over the steep slopes of the Allegheny Mountains. This was the main reason the Chesapeake & Ohio Railway needed such a robust locomotive to tackle the challenging terrain.
So, what service did the C&O employ the Alleghenies in? Simply put, they needed a locomotive that could easily conquer the formidable Allegheny Mountains. This would enable the railway to handle its freight more efficiently, contributing to the growth of business and strengthening the state’s economy.
In a similar vein, Union Pacific sought to design a powerful locomotive to help freight trains navigate the steep inclines of the Sherman Mountains and the Wasatch Range in Wyoming and Utah. This resulted in the creation of the Big Boy 4-8-8-4. Likewise, C&O developed the H-8 locomotives for similar purposes.
During the 1930s, the Chesapeake & Ohio Railway worked to improve its rail system by expanding existing tunnels and constructing new ones. The Class T-1 2-10-4 locomotives arrived in the early 1930s and were seen as the best option for hauling coal trains along an 80-mile stretch from Hinton, West Virginia, to Clifton Forge.
This stretch included a 13-mile climb through the Allegheny Mountains, with a steep grade of 0.577% on the ascent and a 1.14% descent to Clifton Forge. However, the 2-6-6-2s and the 2-8-8-2s from the 1920s were proving inefficient and worn out.
Recognizing the need for more capable locomotives, the C&O Railway turned to Lima Locomotive Works. They developed a new, powerful locomotive design featuring six-coupled articulated wheels and a large boiler for better steam generation. The locomotive’s weight, around 778,000 pounds, helped keep it grounded while in motion, and it was equipped with a large firebox and a 6-wheel trailing truck to provide extra support. With four 22.5×33-inch cylinders and a 260 psi boiler pressure, the Allegheny had the necessary tractive effort to haul heavy loads.
In December 1941, C&O placed its first order for ten 2-6-6-6 steam locomotives from Lima. These locomotives, numbered 1600 to 1609 and designated as Class H-8, were delivered with a new wheel arrangement, earning them the nickname “Allegheny.”
The tenders for these locomotives were massive, capable of holding 25 tons of coal and 25,000 gallons of water. To maintain balance and stability, the rear end of the tender was made taller, adding extra weight to the back.
In one test, it was demonstrated that two Alleghenies—one leading and one pushing—could easily move a 140-car coal train up the mountain from Hinton. Once the train reached the summit, the rear locomotive could detach, and the front Allegheny would descend toward Clifton Forge without difficulty.
Of the 60 Alleghenies produced, most were used for freight, while a few were used for passenger service, mainly pulling troop trains during World War II. However, they were primarily known for their freight-hauling capabilities.
Conclusion:
The 2-6-6-6 Alleghenies represented the pinnacle of locomotive power and innovation. Sadly, most of these impressive machines were scrapped within 15 years of their service, despite being nearly new when they were retired. However, two of them were preserved, standing as lasting symbols of their strength and technological advancements.
