Under the Whyte notation for the classification of steam locomotives, 4-8-4 represents the wheel arrangement of four leading wheels on two axles, usually in a leading truck, eight powered and coupled driving wheels on four axles, and four trailing wheels on two axles, usually in a trailing truck. The type was first used by the Northern Pacific Railway and is consequently most commonly known as a Northern.
Other equivalent classifications are:
- UIC classification: 2D2 (also known as German classification and Italian classification)
- French classification: 242 (also known as Spanish classification)
- Turkish classification: 48
- Swiss classification: 4/8
- Russian classification: 2-4-2
Read more about 4-8-4: North American Production List, Preservation By Country
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