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After acquiring scores of powerful, but slow compound articulated locomotives in the 1920s, the N&W turned to a single expansion design for its first purely homemade locomotive. The resulting A Class 2-6-6-4 represented the N&W's effort to design a modern, high-speed freight engine. The A Class engines would become the choice for fast freights everywhere and main line coal trains on the more level portions of the system. The As, with a relatively rare wheel alignment, were introduced in the 1930s, when other roads were turning to the 4-6-6-4 or 2-10-4 arangement for fast, heavy freight power. Noted rail photographer Robert Hale paced the 1235 and produced one of his specialties, a pan shot of the engine at speed, showing the long lines of the type and the formidable-looking front end with cast pilot.

Photograph from Norfolk & Western Steam In Color.

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