Wheel arrangement

Encyclopedia : W : WH : WHE : Wheel arrangement

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Locomotive wheel arrangement is how the wheels of the locomotive are arranged by type, position, and connections. There are several notations used to describe wheel arrangements. In the United States and the British Isles, the Whyte notation is generally used for steam locomotives. In mainland Europe, the UIC classification scheme is generally used. British practice uses a slightly simplified form of the UIC notation for diesels and electrics. The United States uses the AAR wheel arrangement scheme for diesels and electrics.

Especially in steam days, wheel arrangement was an important attribute of a locomotive, because there were many different ones, each optimised for a different use. Modern diesel and electric locomotives are much more uniform, usually with all axles driven.

Notation Schemes

• AAR wheel arrangement
• UIC classification
• Whyte notation

 

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