Triplex locomotive

The Erie Matt H. Shay 2-8-8-8-2
Baldwin Erie P1 5016 Triplex - Shown in Exeter, PA
The only 2-8-8-8-4 triplex locomotive ever built

A triplex locomotive was a steam locomotive that divided the driving force on its wheels by using three pairs of cylinders to drive three sets of driving wheels. Any such locomotive will inevitably be articulated. All triplex locomotives built were of the Mallet type, but with an extra set of driving wheels under the tender. The concept was extended to locomotives with four, five or six sets of drive wheels. However, these locomotives were never built, except for one quadruplex locomotive in Belgium.