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<p>[quote user="GP40-2"]</p> <p>[quote user="friend611"]That is why it is best that the locomotives are tested, and not rely on mechanical data. The data that exists on the J is mostly estimates by the N&W mechanical engineers, and regarding the 611's performance history, I have to wonder if even these numbers need to be revised. Any locomotive who can easily run 29 passenger cars on an upgrade is worthy of more respectable numbers. I wonder if any consideration has ever been made regarding testing 611 to see what she could truly do.<br /> lois</p> <div style="clear:both;"></div> <p>[/quote]</p> <p>It would be not only all the 4-8-4s in question would have to be tested, but the testing would have to be standardized. What are we testing for? Power at economical operation or maximum power that is uneconomical to sustain? At what speed are we concerned about? How about the power curve itself? Are we looking for a locomotive that has a peaked curve,or a locomotive that might not have as high peak power, but can sustain power over a broad speed range? If the locomotive is coal fired, shouldn't the coal be the same? What happens if we take a J and fire it with western coal? Think the power output will be the same? Conversely, what happens if we take a western locomotive and use high grade eastern coal? What about the operators? Steam locomotives are very dependent on how well the engineer and fireman work together. How do we assure each locomotive is operated at its best? Even after doing all that, you may still not know which is the "best". Steam locomotives were not only custom designed for each railroad, but they were custom designed for specific divisions on that railroad. A locomotive that scores high in general testing might not work as good as expected if placed on a division with different operational needs. I don't know if we can ever compare steam locomotives like we can compare an ES44AC to an SD40-2. Every ES44AC made is basically the same. It works the same on NS and CSX in the east as it does on UP and BNSF in the west. The same can not be said of steam locomotives.</p> <div style="clear:both;"></div> <p>[/quote]</p> <p> Why isn't there a "like" button?</p>
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