Chesapeake and Ohio 1308

The Chesapeake and Ohio 1308 is a Mallet-type steam locomotive with two sets of driving wheels designed to handle steep mountain grades effectively. The engine operates on a dual-expansion steam system where two separate cylinder sets work together to maximize power output.

Baldwin Locomotive Works built this H-6 class engine in 1948, placing it among the final steam locomotives made for North American railroads. It was manufactured during a period when the railroad industry was shifting toward diesel power.

This locomotive represents the engineering skill of American railroad builders and shows how important steam power was for moving freight across the country. Visitors can see why this technology was so central to the region's economy and daily life.

The museum setting makes it easy to walk around and view the locomotive from different angles to understand its mechanical design. Allow time to examine the details of the steam system and the way the different parts connect and function together.

This engine was specifically built to haul heavy coal trains over mountain routes, which explains why it has two separate sets of driving wheels. One distinctive feature is the independent air compressor system that supplies steam to each cylinder set separately.