H4 Class

The H4 Class is a class of 2-6-6-4 mallet type locomotives designed by Gustav Othmar at the Eastern & Atlantic's Charlotte Works.

History
Just as it did during the First World War, the E&A found that during the Second World War they required a new mallet locomotive to haul the sudden upsurge of coal traffic during the early '40's. This locomotive was decided to be a 2-6-6-4, which allowed for a significantly larger firebox than on the road's earlier 2-6-6-0's and 2-6-6-2's. Gustav Othmar began design work for the locomotive in 1943, but the locomotives were only ready for production in 1944.

15 of the class were hastily constructed in 1944-1946, and many had to be overhauled after the war because of their hasty construction.