The most famous locomotive in history

[wallyworld]

Great locomotives as your list implies have equally great stories behind them.

My vote is for he now largely forgotten ( as your list attests ) engine rightfully enshrined on the main floor of Chicago's Museum of Science and Industry.
The huge drivered New York Central 999, which earned a world speed record in it's time until it was replaced by The Mallard.

One wonders if time trials were officially recorded here in the U.S as carefully as they were overseas, would The Mallard even be appearing on this list?

You only have to consider the Milwaukee Class A Atlantics who on regularly schedualled runs, not ime time trials, routinely ripped away the roadbed at better than 100 MPH daily or the PRR T1 that was the subject of one of my favorite first person accounts in Trains magazine. That account of that awesome run ranks up there as one of the most compelling railroad true stories I have read---ever.Let's see how fast this will go-it's our last chance.
Some epic accounts are lost to history such as the little known story of Frank Sprague's determined battle to install the nation's first true streetcar system with his brave Irish mechcanic.riding the roof of a car in the midst of a horrific blizzard with both hands grasping a straw broom to clear the wire with only his feet to balance his precarious stance. It's a shame these and other great stories are not well known.

[Willy2]

I'll go with the Flying Scotsman and the engines for the Orient Express. I think that the Big Boys have a place in the "most famous" category too.

Willy

[jeffhergert]

I would agree with Thomas the Tank Engine. While not my personal favorite, or even an American engine, it is very visable to the average non-railfan. With or without children. (I hate Barney the dinasour as much as anyone and I don't have kids.)
This question is almost impossible to answer without personal feelings/home geographic areas coming into play. Most likely your going to pick something you are familiar with. Even the author of this thread picked mostly English locomotives. I'm touched that your third place pick was the Rock Island engine that pulled the first train from Chicago to Joliet in 1852. (Yes, I know you meant that other Rocket. Even being a RI fan, if you say Rocket I too think of the English version.)

[Anonymous]

I have to give trainspotter credit on a very good question and subject driven discussion. He reminds me of a classmate I had back in the 70's struggling through Modern Germany under McKale (GCSU - 74)

[M636C]

To get back on subject, and the Santa Fe F units.

A feature of the F3 and F7 units was that they were all virtually identical to the casual observer, because Santa Fe modified them with the same pattern of Farr stainless steel grilles and the same side panels. Only the dynamic brake hatches and the radiator fan types varied.

I would think that the Santa Fe F (A) unit in Red and Silver (any of them) would be most easily recognised. A textbook on industrial design in transport illustrated one as an example of American diesel locomotives.

But as I understand it, like "Flying Scotsman" only one is left, the unit at the Railroad Museum in Sacramento.

So I humbly submit as the most famous American locomotive "AT&SF 347C"

It doesn't sound right if you say it, but visually, there is no contest!

Peter

[Trainspotter]

When I "googled" the following "famous" locomotives e.g. Rocket + locomotive, I turned up the following results. Not definitive, but interesting:

25,100 The Rocket
7,930 The Flying Scotsman
4,830 Mallard
602 Stourbridge Lion
352 Best Friend of Charleston
2 AT & SF 347C

[jeffhergert]

I also "googled" Rocket + locomotive. I found 25,300 listings. While the vast majority are going to be about the original Stephenson's Rocket, a very, very random sampling found three references to Rock Island Rocket locomotives (one of which was a model) and one for M-4 Sherman tanks built by the American LOCOMOTIVE Company, some of which were equipped with ROCKET launchers.
I truthfully have to admit that I can't say which one is the most famous of real locomotives. I asked my wife that question and she said the "steamer." I asked her to be more specific and she said the UP Challenger. Now I work for the UP and we have been talking about it recently since it will come by us soon. I have a feeling that the average, non-railroad oriented person wouldn't have a clue. It would be an excellent question for Jay Leno on NBC's Tonight show to ask on his "jaywalking" segments. Probably here a lot of comments about "the little engine that could."

[Puckdropper]

You may also find a few references to Rocket Richard...

[Anonymous]

OK - I'm British so self interest declared.

1. Flying Scotsman - to reply to the correspondent as to the fact there is only one Flying Scotsman left that would be because there is only one (There were however quite a few A1 and A3 Pacifics of which Flying Scotsman was one.)

Some of the confusion comes about because there was a train named The Flying Scotsman (10am off London kings Cross/Edinburgh) which was often worked by Flying Scotsman.

She has to be the most famous loco short of Thomas having worked in the US, Australia and the UK and circumnavigated the Globe.

Other candidates would be 'City of Truro' first to 100mph (or thereabouts) - not bad for an outside framed 4-4-0.

The 'American Streamliner' as a generic type is probably one of the most recognisable rather than famous due to its prevalence in clip art and graphics worlwide.

I still think that Thomas wins the Crown with Flying Scotsman, City of Truro, UP Big Boy and The General following along behind.

All the best

Kev

[Hugh Jampton]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Trainspotter

When I "googled" the following "famous" locomotives e.g. Rocket + locomotive, I turned up the following results. Not definitive, but interesting:

25,100 The Rocket
7,930 The Flying Scotsman
4,830 Mallard
602 Stourbridge Lion
352 Best Friend of Charleston
2 AT & SF 347C

For the sake of completeness, googling (sounds like a deviant sexual practice) thomas + tank + engine gets 670,000 results. So there's your answer

[edblysard]

You need to offer a more clear or refined definition of what you consider famous.
The very nature of you question begs so many different answers, that whittleing them down to one or two will never happen.
Your question will elicit only subjective answers, based only on the "fans" personal likes or dislikes.
Is your version of famous the most easily reconized locomotive, or the most porduced?
The biggest, or the one that has the most pulling capacity?
Fastest, or the locomotive mentioned in the most songs?

Re-define the question, or all you have is a popularity contest.

My vote goes to a series of locomotives.
The EMD SD40 and SD40-2.
They are exactly what a freight locomotive is supposed to be, work horses.

Ed

[Trainspotter]

"Famous" is actually pretty easy to define. It means "widely known," or "renowned."

My question is very clear as stated in the original post:

"What in your opinion is THE most famous locomotive in history? (Not your personal favourite, and not just your favourite American locomotive - but the most famous in the world) "

For several of our "slower" pupils I later noted that I was NOT referring to a "class" of locomotives (SD40-s) or a "train" (The Orient Express)

And the question certainly does not refer to the "most produced" locomotive. (And I'm sorry to break it to you my American friends, the most produced locomotive was not made in America.)

I'm sorry lads but some of you appear to be as "thick as bricks." A class from hell.

Now pay attention...

[espeefoamer]

Just because an engine is American,doesn't mean that it can't be famous worldwide.I'm sure a number of American locomotives would make it onto a list of world famous engines.

[espeefoamer]

Trainspotter,what was the most produced loco in the world
Inquiring minds want to know.[?]

[Trainspotter]

QUOTE: Originally posted by espeefoamer

Trainspotter,what was the most produced loco in the world
Inquiring minds want to know.[?]

The Russian "E" class 0-10-0 introduced in 1912. More than 14,000 were produced.

[M636C]

If "Thomas the Tank Engine" is indeed the most famous locomotive in the World, it is time that more details of it became known. Awdry states that the illustrations in the early "Thomas" books were based on the London Brighton and South Coast Railway class E2 0-6-0 tank locomotive, attributed to CME L.B. Billinton. They had 4'6" driving wheels, 17.5"x26" cylinders 175 lbf/sq in pressure. There were ten locomotives in the class, but Thomas is based on the last five locomotives, 105 to 109, which had the distinctive extended side tanks at the front, (as seen on "Thomas") with a cutaway to allow access to the inside valve gear. They were built during 1915 and 1916 at Brighton workshops. Unlike the bright blue colours carried by "Thomas", these locomotives were painted black, for their entire lives, as far as is known. Some of the earlier locomotives 100 to 104, were painted "Umber" (a dark brown shade) for passenger duties, but they were too unsteady at speed for this work. The Southern Railway added 2000 to the LBSCR numbers and British Railways added a further 30000, the final numbers being 32105 to 32109. They were withdrawn from 1961 to 1963.

Peter

[Anonymous]

Imagine crossing Siberia with an 0-10-0. Are we there yet?

[dharmon]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Trainspotter

"Famous" is actually pretty easy to define. It means "widely known," or "renowned."

Based on that..Thomas the Tank...hands down. Fictional, yes. But meeting your critera... a single locomotive, not a class, not a train, not American and not my favorite.

You're an inspiring edukatur

[TH&B]

The Rocket. Most people heard of it and it even was my very first thought. It was not realy the very first locomotive but it seems to be the most famous of all time.

Thomas the Tank is fictitious, that is not a real locomotive, it's a 3 dimensional cartoon based on a locomotive, so it can't count.

[Hugh Jampton]

QUOTE: Originally posted by 440cuin

The Rocket. Most people heard of it and it even was my very first thought. It was not realy the very first locomotive but it seems to be the most famous of all time.

Thomas the Tank is fictitious, that is not a real locomotive, it's a 3 dimensional cartoon based on a locomotive, so it can't count.

WHAT!!!!!!!! Thomas not real!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?! Suppose next you'll be telling us there's no Santa Claus

[edblysard]

Apparently, you started this thread for two purposes.
One, it allows you the chance to be arrogant, consending, patronizing, and rude.
Two, somewhere in here you will be able to spring the "correct" answer on all of us, thereby becoming the "star" of your class...
If indeed you are a teacher, it is clear why the California public school system sucks...

Do you normally insult people before you ask their opinion?

Ed

[Trainspotter]

I started this thread for one purpose - to get your responses to an interesting question.

I don't teach in California. "CA" stands for Canada.

There is no "correct" answer to a question of this nature.

A good teacher uses a variety of techniques to get his students to learn.

[M636C]

Trainspotter,

Can I share your concern about forum members not reading posts!

I just listed all the details of the locomotives the Reverend Wilbert Awdry himself indicated were the prototypes for "Thomas" and people say it is "imaginary". Before the stories were "commercialised" and made "politically correct" they were all based on real events on real railways. All the locomotives were based on real locomotives and were used for the work the prototypes did.

I include you in this lack of reading, Dan!

Another candidate for fame in the USA is Pennsylvania streamlined K4s 3768 (Always assuming that I remember the number correctly - that's a real problem on the PRR who didn't always use consecutive numbers).

I mean the original Raymond Loewy streamliner which appeared in much of the publicity about the 1938 Broadway Limited. Unlike the NYC streamlined Hudsons it was competing against, it was unique and does qualify for consideration.

Peter

[Trainspotter]

I agree, Thomas the Tank Engine should qualify in the "hall of fame" since it is based on a real locomotive.

[jeffhergert]

QUOTE: Originally posted by 440cuin

The Rocket. Most people heard of it and it even was my very first thought. It was not realy the very first locomotive but it seems to be the most famous of all time.

Thomas the Tank is fictitious, that is not a real locomotive, it's a 3 dimensional cartoon based on a locomotive, so it can't count.

Not real? Maybe the original in the books was not real (though based on real locomotives) but he certainly is now. I've seen 2 different versions of him. One built on a Plymouth industrial switcher and another larger actual steam engine.

[Anonymous]

AS much as I hate saying this I would have to say.....
1. UP DDA40X.
2. The SD40-2.
BNSFfan.

[TH&B]

You've seen 2 versions of Thomas the Tank? are there more then one? wich is the one that counts? Is Thomas the Tank a class of engines? It's "based" on some real engine so it is a real engine? or just a perversion of a real engine?
Mickey Mouse was based on a real mouse (or some critter), Mickey is a famous mouse, but is he realy a mouse??

Sorry, but I don't think Thomas counts, it's famous all right but it's fake pal!

The Rocket was a locomotive in every respect, there was just one, and I'm not voting on the replica Rocket or some measeum prop rocket or anything like, just the real famous one.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Brak710101

The Big Boy!

im sorry but i have to agree[:D][:D][:D][:D][:D][:D][:D][:D][:D][:D][:D][:D][:D][:D]

[Trainspotter]

QUOTE: Originally posted by akott

QUOTE: Originally posted by Brak710101

The Big Boy!

im sorry but i have to agree[:D][:D][:D][:D][:D][:D][:D][:D][:D][:D][:D][:D][:D][:D]

The "Big Boys" were a locomotive class. The question relates to a single locomotive. Please re-read the original post...

and stay after class, please.

[Trainspotter]

QUOTE: Originally posted by BNSF9838

AS much as I hate saying this I would have to say.....
1. UP DDA40X.
2. The SD40-2.
BNSFfan.

Geeze...These are classes of locomotives, not single locomotives per se. Re-read the original post.

Detention after school.