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[quote user="GP40-2"][quote user="AnthonyV"] If the AC6000 does in fact produce 5600 dbhp at 70 mph, wouldn't it pull the same tonnage as a steam engine that produces 5600 dbhp at that speed? Anthony V.[/quote] Of course it would. But remember, this is Trains.com and very few here want to hear about physics and actual railroading. It gets in the way of fantasy. Case in point: jmlaboda...I'll [b]guarenty[/b] you its far less than you would think...The facts are already proven and are [b]undisputeable[/b] ([b]irregardless[/b] of whether a person cares to believe them or not)...Unlike a diesel-electric, whose ability to haul "X" amount of tonage decreases as they go faster steamers don't have that problem. The last comment is the best one. The writer actually claims that steam locomotives, which have a maximum HP constraint just like diesels, are somehow immune to the laws of physics at high speed LOL.[/quote]I have been following this point about comparing steamers to diesels in regard to power falling off at speed, particularly the comparison of the AC6000 to a steam locomotive.  However, it is not clear to me exactly what steamer we are comparing the AC6000 to, or what the comparing performance graphs are expected to show.  Here is my take on it.  With both types of locomotives, the faster you pull a load, the more horsepower is required.  When examples are cited of using multiple diesels on a train that would require one steam locomotive, the reason is that the steamer has more horsepower than the individual diesel units.  As has been stated, a diesel delivering 5600 hp at 70 mph will pull the same train as a steamer delivering 5600 hp at 70 mph.  If there is a fundamental difference in the ability of the two locomotive types to deliver horsepower at comparable speeds, it is that steamers are unable to develop full horsepower until they reach a certain speed, whereas diesels can develop full horsepower from a standing start, all the way up to full speed.  At starting or moving at lower speeds, they may not have enough adhesion to deliver that full horsepower without wheel slip, but nevertheless, the full horsepower can be developed if the engine is at maximum RPM.  Likewise, a steamer develops its maximum horsepower at its maximum RPM, but it needs to be moving at its maximum speed to be turning its maximum RPM.
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