Best steam locomotive

[Anonymous]

My vote goes to Soo Line 1003 a nice old Mike, not to large & not to small.

[tankertoad70]

I have always liked the GN 0-8 class Mikes. That was the first steamer I saw, and man was that puppy big. If'n I remember right, they had 68" drivers and somewhere around 75,000lbs tractive effort. They were a sight to see running across No. Dakota at speed with a mile of boxcars.

[Gluefinger]

I'd have to say Chicago and Northwestern's 4-8-4 Northerns. They were great in all services (except maybe switching). But great speed, great traction! Heck, you name it!

[Saxman]

All the Consol's and Mike's that labored in the shadows of locomotives such as the Northerns, Challengers, Big Boys and Alleghanies day in and day out.

[Anonymous]

I was wondering what you guys thought on the UP's 4-8-4 and the NYC 4-8-4? Which one was better at passenger service speeds and sheer power. I think the NYC engine was heavier but produced less tractive effort than the UP FEF-3s.

What about the GN R2 2-8-8-2 for sheer pulling power. I think they produced 153,000 lbs tractive effort. That is more than a Big Boy, the Alleghanies, and the Y6b's 152,206lbs. They even had more tractive effort than the DM&IR M3 and M4's 140,000lbs.

The EM-1 versus the H8? The EM-1 had more tractive effort. 115,000 to the H8's 110,200. The EM-1 was not quite the high speed monster that the H8 was, but I have seen photos of an EM-1 on the front of a passenger train, so it's 64" drivers must have given it more than enough speed.

So my picks are:
Passenger: NYC S1b 4-8-4
Drag: GN R2 2-8-8-2
High speed freight: EM-1

[Anonymous]

My opinion on the best steam locomotive is the second version of UP's 4-6+6-4 Challengers, on account that they were not only fast, but powereful as well. Besides, they dont look too bad, either. (3985 is proof)!

[edbenton]

The ATSF 3460 class of hudson used to run from Chicago to LA and only change engines once now there are some engines that would run hard all day long 3461 even ran all the way once due to a failure of its replacement

[Anonymous]

HIGH 5
YOU THE MAN!!!!!

BIG BOY #1 no kiddding

[Anonymous]

All right, here are my picks...

[Anonymous]

I know more about the passenger types than the freight ones, but here goes.
Best Atlantic: the "A" class for the Hiawathas.
Best Pacific: the Pennsy K4. 1000 tons at 91 MPH according to the USRA. That or the official steam-traction record holder, the LNER A4.
Best Northern: N&W "J" class. 110 MPH achieved with 1000 tons and it was STILL accelerating. Honorable mention is the PLM 242A1.
Best Unusual: PRR S1 6-4-4-6. The 134 MPH maximum speed is unverified but plausible.
Best Small Freight Locomotive: The NKP 2-8-4.
Best Big Freight Locomotive: the Allegheny 2-6-6-6.

[Anonymous]

The Berkshires, "economic excellance" must not be overlooked!!!

[Anonymous]

Well I don't care what you say!

The Garratt 4-8-2-2-8-4, was the only steam loco That saw service in more than one countray, South Africa & Many stats of Austraila.

Un like any loco of the USA, it hade a Three part construction, with a tender at each end.

Sorry that i am not up on the Hp side, but it could do the work of Three smaller locos.

Have fun. LOL

[Locojunkie]

As I am a Norfolk & Western Fan I entertain the thought of the N&W Class A as the best Steam locomotive, However I do think that for pure horsepower/Tractive Effort I must side with the folks at Union Pacific in saying that the Class 4000 4-8-8-4 Big Boy Is probably the best in that catagory. As the Class A had 114,000 lbs tractive effort, the Big Boy comes in at a whopping 135,000 lbs tractive effort. And lets not forget that competetor Chesapeake & Ohio's Class H-8 Allegheny was not a slouch in that department either. ;-) This is such fun. ;-)

[sooblue]

Not too long ago Trains had a story on the Allegheny. It inspired me to travel to the B&O rr museum to view it. It looks like it could pull the heart out of the earth, but I must say I was disapointed to see how it is being taken care of.
It's out side in the weather left to rust with the rest of the JUNK. none of there outside engines are being preserved and that includes the freedom train engine and many other engines that deserve better. It made me sad to see the condition of those great and wonderful beasts.
SHAME on the B&O rr museum. Not even a tarp!
With all the junk buildings in that part of town you would think they could get a roof for shelter at least. You would think the city would pay to have an old steel building dropped and the roof used for a good thing.
Sooblue

[Anonymous]

My goodness! Now, I have never been to the B&O museum, but I was under the impression that they were taking care of their exhibits. Shame on them for letting AFT#1 a.k.a., 2101, sit out in the elements! This poor engine has already been through enough! It is a very historically significant engine. I saw her on the AFT, and a couple of years later, rode behind her across Michigan on a "Chessie steam special". Perhaps a few people might dismiss the T-1 as being "commonplace" as there are still 3 or 4 others still in existance, but the 2101 has the most history behind her. Now, if Ross Rowland would just step in..........

Todd C.

[Locojunkie]

I do not think that the B&O Museum is abusing their locomotives. They only have so much space and not enough money to do what they want. Some museums are more fortunate then others and getting the funding they need for projects. The best example I have seen for storing locomotives at a museum is at the Pennsylvania State Railway Museum. But even there they have locomotives sitting out in the elements. When I was there, their M1A 4-8-2 was outside and it was being restored outside. As for the Alleghaney at the B&O Museum, it was on loan to the Virginia Transportation Museum back in 1985 when when we were hit by a terrible Flood which engulfed that locomotive. That is partly why its in the shape that it is in. The Virginia museum also had to move to a new location where it is now.

[sooblue]

Todd,
They've got a beautiful streamlined hudson there that is just sitting out, along with what I anyway think are many significant engines, just rusting away. Is it a money thing? How much does a tarp cost? I'd love to see those engines in steam again. If I had the money I'd offer to buy them just to keep them safe. How many other engines are out there dissolving?
I know insurance prevents restoration and opperation but preservation too?
Mike

[Locojunkie]

Your correct. I stand corrected. Does anyone know the peak HP for the N&W Class A?

[UPTRAIN]

Ok I'm a UP engineer and I responded earlier but I have had an opinion changing experience I have rode on the UP 3985 and it is huge and powerful and all but the Frisco 1522 I think tops em all. I saw where it was going to have it's last run and I had never seen it in action and I just had to see it. It was big not as big as the challenger but very impresive. The gold stripes and letters on it top it all. The smell of bunker C just overwhelms you! I saw it on the internet after it's restoration and it looks good in it's new home UNDER COVER close to the other ruler the 4006 a UP BIGBOY. Allegheny or not this is one locomotive. I took some pictures of the cab and it took 3 pics. Shame on the B&O museum for leaving the freedom train loco in the weather like the guy said BUY A GOSH DANG TARP. And like the other guy said "how much is a tarp?" $5.00 great forum. Good job to the SLSTA on the 17 years of restoring, repairing, and running the loco. Once again thanks for putting it under cover!

[UPTRAIN]

and if you want to chat with me my e-mail is [e-mail]

[UPTRAIN]

silly me I forgot to proof-read...since it's RETIREMENT it has been moved undercover close too the 4006...

[Anonymous]

With all the "Big Boys" still extant, there must be a half-dozen, let's fire one up! I was surprised at UP's decision to restore 3985, rather than a 4000. Don't get me wrong, I love 3985, but bigger is better. Just ask any woman.

[GDRMCo]

Sry the garrats had a water tank on the front and and a coal bunker on the back.

[GDRMCo]

there is 8 of them around today

[vsmith]

This one's easy, ANY steam locomotive that is still being maintained and operated is my favorite. Diesels are a dime-a-dozen but steamers are so rare. Its a treat ot see any one of them, from UP's mighty Challenger right down to the smallest 0-4-0 Porter chugging tourist around a theme park.

[Anonymous]

I'm rather partial to Doyle McCormick's SP GS-4 #4449. OH how it would be to own a toy like that!!!!!!!!

[Modelcar]

...Yes, I would think the Pennsy 4-4-6-4 Q-2 should be up near the top of the list someplace...It produced nearly 8000 HP at a good working speed and from what I understand and have read of it, it was a good engine.

QM

[Mookie]

Still going to stay with any of the Big Boys!

Jen

[foamer4000]

My favorite hands down is the C&O H-8 allegany. It had more horse power, larger grates, and tractive effort than the big boy. The weight on drivers was greater than the Big boy. Its total weight and length were less than Big boy. My second favorite is the GTW northerns. A 4-8-4 with all weather cab and vangerbilt tender. Mighty nice looking!
David

[jlethbri]

I think you may be undersetimating the cabilities of both locomotives. The A could handle heavy passenger trains at speeds up to 80mph and the Y6-b could easily exceed 60 mph. Their balencing was superb, (as was the J) and each outperformed an F7 demonstrater that had been "tweaked" up to 1750hp per unit...an unfair situation for the boys at Roanoke, but the steam held up to and bettered the performance of the diesel. It can be said that the three, A,J and Y6b were the finest examples of modern steam power ever built. And each could out-do their best steam competitors quite handily.