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Philadelphia & Reading “Chesapeake”
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United States | 1847
only one produced
Image of locomotive
Locomotive Engineer, August 1889

The “Chesapeake”, built in 1847 by Norris, was the first 4-6-0 ever. Like other Norris designs, it had a truck with very short wheelbase, inclined cylinders mounted high on the smokebox and a haystack firebox. Built as a wood burner, it had a large, funnel-shaped stack. It was converted to burn anthracite in 1862 and remained in service until the late 1870s. Today it is disputed whether the basic design actually originated from Septimus Norris or from John Brandt of the Erie Railroad.

General
Built1847
ManufacturerNorris
Wheel arr.4-6-0 (Ten-wheeler) 
Gauge4 ft 8 1/2 in (Standard gauge)
Dimensions and Weights
Service weight44,000 lbs
Adhesive weight32,000 lbs
Fuel capacitywood
Boiler
Power Plant
Driver diameter46 in
Expansion typesimple
Cylinderstwo, 14 1/2 x 22 in
Power
Power sourcesteam
Calculated Values
steam locomotive
freight
last changed: 03/2026
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