Join the discussion on the following article:
British Columbian tank engine moved to museum
As a railfan for over 50 years, I thought I understood the nonemclature. Evidently not. What does the ST on the Whyte wheel arrangement signify?
@Daniel_A_Dawson, “ST” is the acronym for Saddle Tank.
To DAD from Mo,.
I graduated from the Railfan Academy with you, and your question is mine, likewise.
“T” was the suffix that indicated a tank engine.
No distinction was made for steam engines not hauling a separate fuel and water car,. a tender or a “tank.”
Those supplies could be carried in a fuel carrier behind the cab, any exceptions?, and water in a tank or tanks.
Tanks: built on the boiler sides where footboards, a walkway, would otherwise be installed.
A Tank would be installed over and around the engine’s boiler…picture in your mind placing a “saddle” on a horse…
Thus, T is generic; ST is, by your definition, specific or generally inadequate and inaccurate., gotta be a “Saddle (type) Tank.”
I think “ST” is a railfan improvisation, maybe was never in the Whyte System?.. …
No Francis, “ST” is not a railfan improvisation, but was used by the builders themselves, the plain “T” designation was to denote a tank engine, “ST” was used to denote a Saddle Tank, it’s been around for as long as Saddle Tanks have been around.
DAD from Mo.
my comments mistakenly in the last paragraphs indicated you defined “Tank” engines incorrectly…
You did NOT
Accept please, sincere apologies
Texan PEV, it was your definition of “ST” that brought out my attention…
GLM from CA
The Whyte system
Is “ST” documentable among the “Whyte System” references?
Back up your convictitions… not Wickipedia.!..
My grand father, Louie W. Daubert was a locomotive engineer for Snoqualmie Falls Lumber Co., he probably ran #6 a few times, must run in the blood, I have been on steam locomotives since 1972 and serve as a both a fireman and engineer for Mt. Rainier Scenic Railroad here in WA state.