train poll

[Anonymous]

Which do you like better steam or diesel. And why[?]

[Anonymous]

I like big superpower steam and USRA Mikados, and first generation streamlined diesels and early Geeps and F-M units. Why I like those locomotives the best I don't know, since mostly what I see on trains are SD50s, MACs and Dash 9's.

[Anonymous]

Though I do own and enjoy several 1st gen diesel switchers, there are few (if any) more impressive machines, in my experience, than steam locomotives. They seem almost alive, even the little ones. I miss 'em like the devil.
smyers

[Junctionfan]

I love the modern diesel; there is something about a lash up of 4000 to 6000 hp engines moving a big heavy train roaring across that makes my hair stand on end. I can't imagine what it was like the first time an engineer operated one of these beasts for real.

[METRO]

I voted both, I love the beauty of the transition era, the sleek diesel and steem streamliners would have to be my favorite units of all time.

My absolute favorite would probably be a tie between the NYC J3a with the disc drivers and the E8 in eather NYC stripes or the old CP maroon, gray and gold.

[Anonymous]

I voted diesel. I've never really seen a steam engine working hard in real life(I know it's a shame) but I do see a lot of diesels. So I like what I see.
Andrew

[cacole]

I grew up in the days of steam, so that's still my favorite. The sight of the drive rods moving is far better than seeing a diesel, where nothing but the wheels move.

[Anonymous]

As far as the prototype, steam. It is like a living breathing thing, and all you need to convince you is a cab ride on one. I got that opportunity several years ago, and still remember it vividly!.
Modeling. I admit, I have far more diesels than steam. I guess it's because for a hundred bucks (avg) a unit, I see more value in Kato, Atlas and Stewart units than I do in plastic steam, or when compared to some brass... That is starting to change now, but I built most of my fleet up 10 years ago, when that wasn't the norm!

[Anonymous]

I like diesel better because I grew up with them.

[johncolley]

Strange because I grew up in late steam early diesel period and I do like steam...BUT! I model the early diesels because I can do a diesel service area in a lot less space and cost than a roundhouse, machine shop, powerhouse, ashpit, coaling tower, water tower, and turntable. Although I do like TK's idea of having all that "off stage left". I may eventually break down and get some steam say a Mikado, a Mountain, and a Northern, particularly if someone brings out a GN S-2 with the 80" drivers. I model GN about 1947-48.

[Hawks05]

i'm like a lot of the younger people. i grew up with diesel so thats what i like. i've never cared much for steam locos so that adds to my opinion to.

i agree though that trains make your arm stand on end. when i was trying to catch a train thursday i was flying up a dirt road and my heart was pumping and the hair on my arms were straight up. i felt like a little kid seeing something like a dog or some other thing that little kids like a lot. nothing like seeing a huge piece of machinery moving stuff across the country. just the sight of a train is a cool thing.

[Anonymous]

I voted steam. Why? Take a brief look at the following photograph:

http://www.steamlocomotive.com/bigboy/4004.jpg

Need I say more?

See you around the forums,
Daniel

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by trainjunky29

I voted steam. Why? Take a brief look at the following photograph:

http://www.steamlocomotive.com/bigboy/4004.jpg

Need I say more?

See you around the forums,
Daniel

Daniel [:)]

Man that Big Boy is a MONSTER.

I voted for steam. I grew up with diesels but have always liked tv shows and movies with steam engines. I have worked as a car host for a musuem with a steam engine on special yearly excursions. If you ever see a steam engine in real life you will be "sold" on them.

Just like others in this thread and elsewhere have said, they are alive. They breathe, eat, and talk. They are very loud starting up, especially if you are in front of them and hear them go by.

Here is a link to my one and only pic at railpictures.net:

http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=66259


I love steam. [:D]

[Anonymous]

I like diesels for the same reason the railroads chose diesels over steam, expense. I can buy a better diesel for the same cost as a not so good steam engine. Also, maintenance is simpler (another reason railroads dumped their steam engines) and painting a diesel is a whole lot easier than painting a steamer.

[Anonymous]

apples and oranges. Steam is external. Diesel is internal. Steam is alive. Diesel is colorful. Steam is from a more romantic era. Diesels are modern and sleek.

[Anonymous]

For me it has to be steam! By the time I was born, first-generation diesels were almost extinct on the railroads, so my age doesn't have anything to do with it. There's just something incredible about a steam locomotive that's hard to explain, but the steam fans will know exactly what I mean.







P.S. I do love diesels as well (particularily first-generation), but just not as much as I do steam.

[Anonymous]

I voted Both. as I love all things locomotive

[Anonymous]

I like both, for steam its 4-6-2's and 2-8-2's, for diesels its SD40-2's.

[Anonymous]

Steam is my only choice. I'm what you all refer to as an old fart. In my misguided childhood I would take my Brownie box camera and set off for the small yard at a place called Sugarhouse. This was a stop on the D&RGW line from Salt Lake City to Park City, Ut. The line is gone now, the steam has been gone even longer. But, as a young man, to just sit and watch, and feel, and smell. I have some pictures remaining from back then. Very poor pictures, but a reminder of another time. The last season of steam on the UP was, if memory serves me, the harvest season of 1958. Steam, Big Boys, were used as helpers on the grade from Ogden, Ut to Evanston, Wy. I spent my evenings and as much of my weekends as I could spare going and watching the freight move up Weber Canyon. If you have ever watched a steam locomotive working hard pulling a grade at night, been able to stand near the locomotive as it continues the pull, felt the hot steam, smelled the burning coal mixed with hot oil, felt the ground shake and move under your feet, you would be changed forever. A steam locomotive is a living thing. At night, the light from the firebox shining through the staybolts, the whistle wailing mournfully, man, EMD and GE may have the highspeed horsepower, the clean running and the high zoot appearance of today, but in my opinion they will never have the fire breathing soul of steam.

Steam is not just for cooking hot dogs.

Tom

[Noah Hofrichter]

I do like steam, but I voted Desiel, as that's what I'm growing up with. I do like what sprink said though, it's basically apples and oranges.

Noah

[Anonymous]

I like both but diesels are my favorite.

[AggroJones]

Both. But steam way, way more. Steam Locomotives are living, breathing creature, each with their own unique appearance. Every roads SD-60 looks about the same, but think about how many looks the 4-8-4 comes in.

To me an SP AC-12 can crush any diesel any day of the week.