Pacific 4-6-2 in Main Line Freight Service

[DELETED-PAE3PNtoRPUpaYu]

How often did railroads use the 4-6-2 for freight train assignments? I know the locomotive was configured with passenger train service in mind but how common was it for any railroad to use them on main line freight trains?

 

[simulatortrain]

WM sometimes used their K-1 pacifics on local freights after the arrival of the K-2 pacifics in 1912 and the discontinuation of several passenger trains in the late 1920s. I can't imagine they were ideal in that capacity since they were pretty tiny.

 

[drphlox]

Driver size is the key!

The USRA 0-6-0 & 0-8-0 switchers had 51" drivers.

The USRA Light Santa Fe's had 57" drivers

The USRA Mikados, Light & Heavy, had 63"

Both of the USRA Mallets had 57" drivers.

The K-1's mentioned by Simulatortrain had 68" driver's.

The Virginian had a few pacifics with 69" drivers.

I'd suggest that any 4-6-2 with drivers 73" or smaller probably was used as a dual service (Passenger and Freight) engine.

 

[flyboy559]

SP pacifics were sometimes used in freight service although they were primarily used on passenger assignments right up until the end of steam. Here is a picture of SP 2483 pulling a freight near Roseville, Ca.

 

[drphlox]

SP pacifics were sometimes used in freight service although they were primarily used on passenger assignments right up until the end of steam. Here is a picture of SP 2483 pulling a freight near Roseville, Ca.

I'd suggest you get your eyes checked as that engine is 2463 not 2483 and it's a P-8. 73" drivers & 25" x 30" cylinders.