No. 1218 is the sole survivor of the Norfolk and Western's class A locomotives and the only surviving 2-6-6-4 steam locomotive in the world. While smaller than Union Pacific's famous and more numerous "Challenger" class of 4-6-6-4 locomotives, Norfolk and Western's design racked up unmatching records of performance in service.
During 1218's excursion career, it was the most powerful operational steam locomotive in the world, with a tractive effort of 114,000 pounds-force (507.10 kN), well above Union Pacific 3985, the next strongest-pulling operational steam locomotive, with a tractive effort of 97,350 ibf (433.0 kN). Since May 2019, however, No. 1218 became the locomotive with the second highest tractive effort, after Union Pacific 4014 (Big Boy), which has a tractive effort of 135,375 ibf (602.18 kN). Unlike the diesel-electric locomotives of similar high tractive effort (for starting heavy trains) but typical for a steam locomotive, it could easily run at 70 miles per hour (133 km/h) and more.
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Norfolk and Western 1218 story
SaggisticaNW 1218 is the last class A and tho its not operational you can still read this and imagined seeing this big giant pulling massive coal trains over the Norfolk and Western rails
