In the Whyte notation for the wheel arrangement of locomotives (primarily steam locomotives), an 0-8-0 is a locomotive with eight powered driving wheels (thus four powered axles), and neither leading wheels or trailing wheels. Locomotives of this type are also referred to as 'eight coupled'
An 0-8-0 configuration was generally used for large switcher (UK: shunter) types, providing a powerful layout with all weight as adhesive weight and thus tractive effort and factor of adhesion were maximised. The layout was generally too large for smaller and lighter railways, where the more popular 0-6-0 wheel arrangement would often be found performing similar duties. Examples of the type were constructed both as tender locomotives and tank locomotives.
Examples include the numerous Q classes of the London and North Eastern Railway and the LMS Class 7F 0-8-0. The type was also extremely popular in the USA where it was more commonly constructed as a tender locomotive and saw extensive use as a heavy switcher and freight engine.
External links
- LNER 0-8-0 locomotives in a catalogue of LNER locomotive types
- 0-8-0 an article by Neil Carlson in Classic Trains magazine on the 0-8-0 type in North America