Locomotive drive question

[NW Mailing List]

Jimmy

I think Bob means right hand lead vs. left hand lead, not drive.

But I’ll let him answer.

Best
Ken Miller

> On Mar 31, 2023, at 8:49 AM, NW Mailing List <nw-mailing-list at nwhs.org> wrote:
> 
> Bob,
> Can you show us pictures of a left hand drive C&NW steam locomotive...hmmm?
> I think that you are confusing left had drive with left hand running.
> 
> Jimmy Lisle
> 
> 
> 
> Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone
> 
> 
> -------- Original message --------
> From: NW Mailing List <nw-mailing-list at nwhs.org>
> Date: 3/30/23 10:25 PM (GMT-05:00)
> To: nw-mailing-list <nw-mailing-list at nwhs.org>
> Subject: Locomotive drive question
> 
> I know that the N&W and most (but not all) American steamers were "right-side drive." Most British and British Commonwealth steam engines on the other hand were/are "left-hand drive" so to speak. But that said, there were a few American railroads I believe that had left-hand drive, specifically if I recall, some Chicago & Northwestern and some NY Central engines.
> 
> Why the difference domestically and how many other companies used the left-hand drive nomenclature and for how long. Did N&W actually ever produce or use any left-hand drive locos that we know of?
> 
> This ought to spark some interest and discussion and I thank you.
> 
> Bob Cohen
> subscriber to turnips international media