A Beast of a Steam Locomotive!

Locomotive weight: 419,280 pounds. Tender weight: 416,180 pounds. Boiler pressure: 240 psi. Driver size: 61 inches. Cylinder size: 30 x 32 inches. Total length: 93 feet. Tractive effort: 96,315 pounds. Said in short, Western Maryland’s I-2 Class 2-10-0 “Decapod,” built by the legendary Baldwin Locomotive Works in 1927, was a beast of a steam locomotive.

Soon, you’ll be able to take the throttle of this extraordinary steam locomotive in Train Simulator Classic – with the Western Maryland I-2 2-10-0 DLC from skilled developer Machine Rail.

The Western Maryland – nicknamed the “Wild Mary” – was among America’s most compelling and admired railroads and was renowned for both its heavy coal-hauling and its fast freights. The railroad’s burly I-2 2-10-0s were conceived and constructed as a result of the railroad’s operational success with its Baldwin-built H-9 class 2-8-0 “Consolidation” locomotives of 1921. Western Maryland’s I-2s were, for all intents and purposes, bigger and heavier sisters of the H-9 (Note: The WM H-9 2-8-0, as created by Machine Rail, is also available for Train Simulator Classic).

Western Maryland rostered twenty I-2 2-10-0s (WM road numbers 1111-1130) and the steamers’ ponderous size (the WM locomotives were the heaviest 2-10-0s built) proved hard on trackage, and the locomotives were generally limited to 40 mph speeds. Nonetheless, the big Decapods served the Western Maryland long and well, especially in hauling coal tonnage, and the I-2s were not retired until the early 1950s, after a quarter-century of capable service, as the Western Maryland dieselized its operations.

Western Maryland’s big I-2 Decapod is coming to Train Simulator Classic through the artistry of noted developer Machine Rail. The upcoming Western Maryland I-2 is based upon original blueprint specifications and features authentic cab and controls, operating features, and performance, and realistic sounds. The I-2 includes a range of animations, working lights, and visual details.

Along with the husky 2-10-0, this DLC pack will include Western Maryland 55-foot steel coal hoppers in red and black liveries, and WM’s classic 1800-series steel cupola caboose. Three realistic career scenarios created for Machine Rail by High Iron Simulations will also be included in the DLC. The scenarios are set on the WM Thomas Subdivision trackage of the Train Simulator Classic B&O Mountain Subdivision route (route available separately).

With Machine Rail’s upcoming Western Maryland I-2 Decapod, you’ll climb aboard a detailed and realistic cab and use a range of interactive controls to experience the challenges of railroading in the “Big Steam” era – and the DLC is coming soon to Train Simulator Classic!

Soon, you’ll take the throttle of the extraordinary Western Maryland I-2 2-10-0 “Decapod” as created by skilled developer Machine Rail. At West Virginia Junction on the Train Simulator Classic B&O Mountain Subdivision route, I-2 No. 1128 is easing coal tonnage across the Potomac River.

Constructed in 1927 by the legendary Baldwin Locomotive Works, the Western Maryland I-2 was a behemoth of a locomotive which, with tender, weighed 835,000 pounds and stretched 93 feet long. Western Maryland rostered twenty of the big Decapods (WM Nos. 1111-1130), many of which remained in service until the railroad dieselized in the early 1950s.

Western Maryland I-2s meet at West Virginia Junction. As masterfully modeled for Train Simulator Classic by Machine Rail, the I-2 is based upon original blueprint specifications and features authentic cab and controls, operating features, and performance, and realistic sounds.

Coal-hauling was a primary task of Western Maryland’s massive Decapods. On the WM Thomas Subdivision as included in the B&O Mountain Subdivision route, Western Maryland 1128 is gathering loaded coal hoppers at Hampshire Mine (above), then strides east along the Potomac River (below). The upcoming pack features three realistic career scenarios on the route’s Western Maryland Thomas Subdivision.

Hauling pulp wood, Western Maryland I-2 No. 1113 meets a sister at Rawlings (above), then continues its journey through the scenic Potomac River Valley (below). Due to the I-2’s ponderous size (the WM locomotives were the heaviest 2-10-0s built), the Decapods proved hard on trackage and the locomotives were generally limited to 40 mph speeds.

At Western Maryland’s Knobmount Yard near Cumberland (Maryland), WM’s “Four Aces” – I-2 No. 1111 – awaits its next call to duty. The I-2 class produced 96,315 pounds of tractive effort

Bound for Knobmount Yard, a Western Maryland eastbound has coal tonnage on the move. Along with the husky 2-10-0, this upcoming DLC pack will include Western Maryland 55-foot steel coal hoppers in red and black liveries and WM’s classic 1800-series steel cupola caboose.

Western Maryland I-2 1111 makes for a memorable sight crossing the Potomac River. With Machine Rail’s upcoming Western Maryland I-2 Decapod, you’ll climb aboard to experience the challenges of railroading in the “Big Steam” era!