Berkshire

A Berkshire locomotive is a 2-8-4 steam locomotive, first built in 1925 by the Lima Locomotive Works. The design was intended to improve on the 2-8-2 Mikado by including a larger firebox requiring an extra trailing axle. This additional trailing axle gave the locomotive its distinctive 2-8-4 wheel arrangement.

The Berkshire locomotive was named for its testing location within the Berkshire Hills of the Boston & Albany Railroad. The Boston & Albany Railroad became the first to order the new Berkshires and eventually over 600 were built by the Lima Locomotive Works, the American Locomotive Company and Baldwin Locomotive Works. Additionally, nineteen different railroads purchased Berkshires.

In Lionelville, the Berkshire is an impressive steam locomotive. Starting with the early 726 locomotive with the die-cast 2426W tender and continuing with the 736, every postwar version is a durable, reliable engine with fantastic operating ability.

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