Best steam locomotive

[Anonymous]

If you have ever seen N&W 611 top a steep grade with a heavy 22 car excursion train on her drawbar you know the 600's win this contest hands down.

[Anonymous]

Phil, I have one question.
Almost 20 years ago, I was in the US Army, and picked up a temporary duty assignment in the U.K. at a small reserve base in a town called Hythe.
Now, this was just across the river from Southampton. At the time I was there, (only a couple months), I was not aware of the R.H&D. I wonder if there are more than one towns by that name? I had read of the R.H.&D in the 1970's in Trains magazine, but never put 2 and 2 together during my brief stay there. I did see a branchline in the town, but it was standard guage. (besides, I was spending most of my free time in "Drummonds Pub"! )
I did take the ferry across to Southampton a few times, A beautiful city is is. I really liked the occasional monument of an old bombed-out church kept as a tribute to those lost in WW-2. As a "Titanic" fan, I found particularly fascinating, a monument erected within the confines of just such a destroyed church, dedicated to the crew and passengers of the Titanic.
You folks over there were WAY ahead of us in realizing the importance in preserving some of the past, so as we might better see the future.
But, off the soapbox for now. Please let me know if I was on top of the R.H.&D, and didn't know it, or if it was miles away.

W. Todd Cline
Wayland, MI USA.

[Anonymous]

Hi,

Being new to this illustrious group I though I'd stick my oar in.

I don't think there is a "Best steam locomotive" except in certain very limited senses. Here in the UK there have been engineers who were employed by railway companies throughout the age of steam and some have used the best international practice (George Jackson Churchward, for example) while others have been great innovators (O. V. S. Bulleid). The two men designed very different locomotives for much the same purposes and one wasn't better than the other, just different.

But there are favorite locomotives.

The Vermont had some charming locos, the Reading too, as have many railways the world over. Amongst my favorites are the delightful Manning-Wardles, used for railroad construction and light railways and the Fairlies (there were some in Mexico as well as Venezuela and on the Denver and Rio Grande).

But my favorites are the engines (all extant and working) built for the Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch Railway in Kent, UK. At 14 miles long it is the biggest toy train set in the world!

[Anonymous]

Boy, I'm a bit confused with this new format... I'm not even sure how to use it now. If this DOES go through, my reply to "the anti-gates" is such, I really don't know any secrets about bringing up old topics, and I certainly know much less now, with this remodeled forum.....

Todd C.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by TheAntiGates

Bob,

Can I ask you how you managed to resurect this thread from off the bottom of the message board?

This one is an oldie, and has been "long gone" as far as I can tell. And I've often wondered how to browse any "oldies" that are no longer among the "living" threads presented for reading here by default.

And it would appear that how to do so, must not be a mystery to you...;-)

Just curious

[JoeKoh]

it's might be in this list but the J-611 is the best.I wish I was born earlier to see it and Nkp berkshires in action.Its sad NS doesn't do rail excusions anymore.
stay safe
joe

[Anonymous]

My vote goes to the Pennsy T-1. As long as both sets of drivers were kept running in unisom, this could have been the best steam locomotive on the system.

[foamer4000]

Todd, I am originaly from Battle creek. The GTW 6325 was the first steamer I ever saw. The C&O 1601 was the second. I do remember the 6325 as being in desparatly bad shape. I have looked at the photos on the Ohio Southern page, what a wonderful job they did. It is a shame that an insurance company can crush a steam program like this!
David

[cp1057]

Hear, Hear!

Those are probably the same insurance VP's that put the insurance for airshows sky-high (bad pun) and grounded most of them (bad pun again!)

I'd love to see CN become more active in steam restoration. I think they may run 1 steamer out West but that's all.

Charles

[Anonymous]

Bob,

Can I ask you how you managed to resurect this thread from off the bottom of the message board?

This one is an oldie, and has been "long gone" as far as I can tell. And I've often wondered how to browse any "oldies" that are no longer among the "living" threads presented for reading here by default.

And it would appear that how to do so, must not be a mystery to you...;-)

Just curious

[Anonymous]

Heck yea Dave! I'll second your "second" choice for sure! See, I grew up in Battle Creek Mich. where the GTW 4-8-4 6325 was displayed across from the GTW depot in the 1970's. By that time it was badly vandalised, and rusting away, but as a young railfan I would occasionaly slip through a hole in the fence and sit in the cab. Never did I dream in those days that the engine would be restored to operation. It was always a fantasy of mine to get the 6325 running again, but I thought it to be impossible given the state of the locomotive. Fast-Forward to the year 2000, and what do ya' know? the 6325 is Totally restored and running. Now for a "not-so-pleasant" fast forward, the corporate greed of the insurance companies has once again sidelined the 6325. After who knows how much labor and money went into the 6325 project, she now sits a prisoner of the stockholders and V.P.'s of the insurance industry.
I've never been much of a U.P. fan, but at least they have the wallet, and the "kohonas" to stick with the steam program. Now, with C.N's "big wallet", how about competing with C.P., and using a freshly restored GTW 4-8-4?
Just some "food for thought"....
Todd C.

[cp1057]

The larger steam locos are certainly exciting, no denying that. Even the Hudson class were majestic. I was lucky enough to see the CP 2816 pull away from a station near me on excursion service recently. Those 75" drivers slowly turning were awe-inspiring.

My sentimental favourites however are the smaller Mogul and Ten-Wheeler engines that survived into the late 50's on smaller branchlines with lighter rail and bridges. They existed in a sort of time-warp as the world dieselized around them, often pulling out-dated rolling stock. I have many pictures of them in books but was born too late to see them in revenue service.

Charles

[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.

[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

[Mookie]

Still going to stay with any of the Big Boys!

Jen

[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

[Anonymous]

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

[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.

[GDRMCo]

there is 8 of them around today

[GDRMCo]

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

[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.

[UPTRAIN]

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

[UPTRAIN]

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

[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!

[Locojunkie]

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

[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]

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.

[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.

[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