Rivarossi HR2355 is an HO scale model of Chesapeake & Ohio No. 1644, one of the railroad’s massive H-8 class 2-6-6-6 Allegheny steam locomotives. This standard-DC model was part of Rivarossi’s Hornby-era production and was released around the beginning of 2012.
The original TrainReference photograph clearly shows C&O No. 1644 with its seven-axle coal tender.
At a Glance
- Manufacturer: Rivarossi
- Item number: HR2355
- Prototype: Chesapeake & Ohio H-8 Allegheny
- Road number: 1644
- Wheel arrangement: 2-6-6-6
- Scale: HO
- Control: Standard DC
- Release period: 2012
Rivarossi HR2355 C&O No. 1644
Rivarossi cataloged this model as HR2355, representing Chesapeake & Ohio H-8 No. 1644. Contemporary listings describe the model as a fully assembled HO scale 2-6-6-6 Allegheny equipped for standard DC operation.
A companion Rivarossi release, HR2356, represented C&O No. 1637 with factory sound and DCC. The locomotive documented here is the standard-DC HR2355 No. 1644.
The Chesapeake & Ohio H-8 Allegheny
The Chesapeake & Ohio’s H-8 locomotives were enormous simple-articulated steam locomotives built by the Lima Locomotive Works. They used the unusual 2-6-6-6 wheel arrangement that became known as the Allegheny type.
C&O received its first H-8s in 1941. Locomotives 1600 through 1644 were constructed between 1941 and 1944, followed by a final group, Nos. 1645 through 1659, in 1948. Altogether, Lima built 60 H-8 locomotives for the Chesapeake & Ohio.
C&O No. 1644
No. 1644 was the final locomotive in the first major group of C&O Alleghenies, Nos. 1600–1644, constructed between 1941 and 1944.
Like the other locomotives in that group, No. 1644 had 67-inch driving wheels, four cylinders and a boiler pressure of 260 psi. The locomotive and tender together stretched approximately 125 feet in length.
Built for Heavy Freight
The H-8 was designed for demanding freight service over the Chesapeake & Ohio’s mountain territory. Despite their immense size and weight, the Alleghenies combined high tractive effort with the ability to develop substantial horsepower at speed.
The locomotives became closely associated with heavy coal traffic and other demanding C&O freight assignments. Their size, distinctive six-wheel trailing truck and long tenders make the H-8 one of the most recognizable American articulated steam locomotive designs.
The Seven-Axle Tender
The Rivarossi model reproduces another striking feature of the prototype: its enormous seven-axle tender. The H-8 required substantial coal and water capacity for its heavy-duty assignments, and the tender contributed considerably to the overall length of the locomotive.
Identifying Rivarossi HR2355
The principal identifiers for the TrainReference model are:
- Rivarossi item: HR2355
- Railroad: Chesapeake & Ohio
- Road number: 1644
- Class: H-8 Allegheny
- Wheel arrangement: 2-6-6-6
- Scale: HO
- Control: Standard DC
Collectors should distinguish HR2355 from the contemporary Rivarossi HR2356, which represented C&O No. 1637 and was sold with sound and DCC.
Preserved C&O Alleghenies
No. 1644 was not preserved, but two members of the H-8 class survive: C&O No. 1601 and No. 1604. No. 1601 is displayed at The Henry Ford in Dearborn, Michigan, while No. 1604 is preserved at the B&O Railroad Museum in Baltimore.
Original Photo
The photograph below shows Rivarossi Chesapeake & Ohio H-8 Allegheny No. 1644 as originally documented for TrainReference.
References and Further Reading
Related Steam Locomotive References
Current Rivarossi Allegheny Listings
Current eBay listings related to Rivarossi Allegheny locomotives are shown below. For the exact model documented here, look for Rivarossi HR2355 and Chesapeake & Ohio road number 1644.
As an eBay Partner, I may be compensated if you make a purchase.
 HR2355 Chesapeake & Ohio, articulated steam locomotive 2-6-6-6 "Allegheny" #1644 |  Rivarossi Hr2950 Chesapeake & Ohio, Steam Locomotive "Allegheny", No. 1601 |
Rivarossi Hr2951 Chesapeake & Ohio, Steam Locomotive "Allegheny", No. 1632
Rivarossi HR2952 Chesapeake & Ohio, Steam Locomotive "Allegheny", No. 1653
