Like most new locomotives of her era, Cotton Belt #819 is a 4-8-4 Northern type. The 4-8-4 was the natural proggression of the 4-8-2 Mountain type. 4-8-4s used the superpower concept, created by Limi in 1926 (see Pere Marquette #1225 page). The first 4-8-4s were built for the Northern Pacific Railroad. NP was looking for a powerful 4-8-2 Mountain that could burn the crap coal NP called Rose Bud coal. So it went to ALCO in hope of a better locomotive. ALCO's solution was a 4-8-4 type locomotive, and they were delivered to NP in 1927. The 4-8-4s performed magnificantly, and they were dubbed the Northern Pacific type, but the name was quickly shortened to Northern. Northers were the fastest passenger steam locomotives, and were powerful brutes in freight service. Some believe the 4-8-4 is the ultimate rigid frame locomotive. This is by no doubt true. There wasn't anything (besides an articulated) that could beat a 4-8-4. Unfortunantly, they eventually bowed to the diesel and in the 1950s were bumped off premier trains. Most spent their last years hauling freight or working as helpers.

The 4-8-4 is one of the most popular types of steam locomotives operated in excursion service today. Union Pacific #844, Southern Pacific #4449, Cotton Belt #819, Spokane Portland & Seattle #700, Norfolk & Western #611, Chesepeake & Ohio #614, Milwuakee Road #261, and Santa Fe #3751 are examples of these.

Content from: Steam Locomotive Fans