If anybody can actually contact Mr. Cussler or his publisher: There is an error in the excerpt for The Chase.

Baldwin Locomotive Works did build a Pacific class of locomotives starting in 1901. However, the Pacific class is described as a 4-6-2, rather than a 4-4-2 as printed in the excerpt. The description of the 4 trucks, 6 drive wheels, and two following trucks is correct as written, hence 4-6-2. Accuracy in ships, aircraft and automobiles are Mr. Cussler's trademark. Let's see it continue in locomotives. See The Baldwin Locomotive Works 1831-1915 by John K. Brown, The John Hopkins University Press, pg. 226.

BTW: Polar Shift ws a quick fun read.