Virginian class XA

Two years after Baldwin had delivered the class P-1 triplex locomotives to the Erie, another one was delivered to the Virginian. This locomotive got the number 700 and was designated class XA. In general it had a similar layout, but a two-axle trailing truck under the tender.

So like the P-1, it had six cylinders of the same size, although these were smaller than those of the predecessor to reduce the steam consumption. The middle ones served as high-pressure cylinders. The exhaust steam of the right one fed both front low-pressure cylinders, while the left one fed the two rear ones. Also here the exhaust steam of the rear cylinders was used for a feed water heater in the tender, what in turn reduced the draft in the boiler and thus hindered the steam production.

In the result, its performances were similar to those of the P-1. The maximum speed at which the locomotive could utilize its full power was 5 mph. After only three years of operation with continuous efforts by Baldwin employees to remedy its problems, it was returned to its builder. There its parts were used to create a 2-8-8-0 Mallet of the class AF and a Mikado of the class MD.