Mikado Steam

Why did the connecting point for the side rods & main rod on steam locomotives change position?

I know that the main rod and the side rods, on a steam locomotive, connect at one of the sets of driving wheels (drivers), but it isn’t always in the same place. When I look at pictures of 2-8-0s (Consolidations), 2-8-2s (Mikados), 2-8-4s (Berkshires), 2-10-0s (Decapods), 4-6-6-4s (Challengers), 4-8-8-4s (Big Boys), and some 0-6-0s (Six-Coupleds), to give a few examples, the main rod and the side rods connect at the third set of drivers from the front of the locomotive. However, when I look at pictures of 4-6-2s (Pacifics), 4-6-4s (Hudsons), 4-8-0s (Twelve-Wheelers), 4-8-2s (Mountains), and 4-8-4s (Northerns), to give some more examples, the connecting point for the main rod and side rods is at the second set of drivers from the front of the locomotive. I am curious as to why the connecting point between the rods has been moved to a different set of drivers. Does anyone have an idea as to why?

It all depends on the size of the driving wheels and the most economical way of transmitting the power from the cylinders to the drive axle. On some locos it’s better to put the drive crank on the 3rd axle and on others it’s more efficient to put the drive crank on the 2nd axle.

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Union Pacific #2306 2-8-2 ‘Mikado’ Steam Locomotive BW Film Negative $2.00

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