The sole Virginian triplex was built in 1916. It was classified XA for eXperimental, first series. Baldwin sent this locomotive to the Virginian purely on an experimental basis. Baldwin personnel stayed with the engine to try to iron out the wrinkles (without success). It was somewhat smaller than the Erie counterparts. It was also slower and ran out of steam faster than the Erie triplexes. Another difference was that it had a four-wheel truck at the rear of the tender for better tracking in reverse when drifting downgrade after pushing a train up hill. This locomotive only lasted three years before being returned in 1920 to Baldwin for rebuilding into a 2-8-8-0 and a 2-8-2 (photo). Both of these locomotives lasted until 1953.

The tractive effort of these triplex locomotives was fantastic, but the boilers and fireboxes were too small to sustain any speeds above five miles per hour. The six cylinders would use all of the steam in the boiler if it was run any faster. As low speed helpers, the locomotives were a success. The Erie used them from 1914 until 1927. The Virginian found less success with theirs.