Trains.com

What locomotive would you run?

30693 views
131 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    July 2003
  • From: Elmwood Park, NJ
  • 2,385 posts
Posted by trainfan1221 on Sunday, October 12, 2008 2:22 PM
Never got to run an F unit but got a cab ride in one once, they sounded great!
  • Member since
    February 2008
  • From: Fontana, Ca
  • 46 posts
Posted by Amtrak77 on Friday, October 10, 2008 3:31 PM
any EMD F units back in the 50's and Amtrak (All class) oh...can't forget about the Bullet trains overseas!!!
Timothy D. Moore Take Amtrak! Flying is for upper class lazy people
  • Member since
    March 2004
  • From: Central Valley California
  • 2,841 posts
Posted by passengerfan on Thursday, October 9, 2008 7:22 AM

For me it would be an PA1-PB1-PA1 set in full warbonnet colors pulling the Chief. What more could one ask for.

Al - in - Stockton

  • Member since
    May 2007
  • 28 posts
Posted by steam618lover1 on Tuesday, October 7, 2008 10:14 PM

  Hi Everyone,

     These threads don't get any better then this, since i'm a steam nut, the following engines i would love to operate:

  1) N&W-611 & the 1218  Big Smile [:D]                                    5) I think UP-4-12-2 Smile,Wink, & Grin [swg]

   2) GS4-4449 daylight-UP-844 the 614 the 3751        6) Sothern 610 & 4501

   3) All Berkshires- 765- 759- PM-1225                       7) AC-12 4-8-8-2 cab forward

   4) Any Big Boys Cool [8D]                                                  8) 2-8-8-4 yellowstones

            9) NYC Hudson 4-6-4 dryfuss                        10) A  4-8-2 mountain

             or any steam locomotive that runs todayBow [bow]

  • Member since
    February 2005
  • From: Vancouver Island, BC
  • 23,326 posts
Posted by selector on Saturday, September 27, 2008 1:05 AM
For me, it would be a toss-up between a N&W Y6b or the Duplex T1 of the PRR.  Different horses altogether, but I would really be torn if they were both made available to me for 30 minutes.
  • Member since
    July 2014
  • 29 posts
Posted by The Dude With The Hair on Friday, September 26, 2008 3:03 AM
Let's see...a UP #800 class for starters. A N&W J-Class. If we're talking British Locos, #71000 Duke of Gloucester and Flying Scotsmen are both beautiful engines and I'd love a chance to drive them.
  • Member since
    July 2003
  • From: Elmwood Park, NJ
  • 2,385 posts
Posted by trainfan1221 on Thursday, September 25, 2008 2:01 PM
Sorry to hear that, Hopefully they will be able to take care of that.  I have ridden in several locomotive cabs myself, but can only imagine actually operating one.
  • Member since
    November 2003
  • From: Rhode Island
  • 2,289 posts
Posted by carnej1 on Thursday, September 25, 2008 11:40 AM

 carnej1 wrote:
 Well come October I'm going to run (for an hour)either a U23B or an RS-3 on the Nagatuck RR in Ct. (birthday gift from my girlfriend). As cool as the old Alco is I'm actually hoping for the U boat as it's an ex Providence & Worcester unit that I used to see in my neighborhood on a regular basis.......

 ..............and unfortunately now I will not be running any locomotive as the Railroad Museum of New England could not renew their FRA Waiver and has suspended the program indefinitly(they gave me a full refund)...

"I Often Dream of Trains"-From the Album of the Same Name by Robyn Hitchcock

  • Member since
    February 2005
  • From: Vancouver Island, BC
  • 23,326 posts
Posted by selector on Thursday, September 25, 2008 1:47 AM

Thanks, that was easy...although I appreciate that it took some trouble and time.

Now we should be able to move on to other points, and ignore argumentative claims that the pictures are false or non-representative if that should happen. 

Smile [:)] 

  • Member since
    December 2004
  • From: Mesa, AZ
  • 778 posts
Posted by silicon212 on Thursday, September 25, 2008 12:24 AM
 selector wrote:

Hey, fellas, the units have anti-climbers or they don't.  If it is to be demonstrated, do so with links and images, and then move on.  The mud slinging is going to reflect on the whole thread.

For those who wish to quote Javier, just delete the exclamation mark between the square brackets at the front of the quoted text, and it should work.

 

 

No anticlimber on above unit.

 

With anticlimber.

 

F40PH showing anticlimber

 

METROLINK F59PH clearly showing anticlimber.

  • Member since
    August 2008
  • From: South Carolina
  • 4 posts
Posted by SouthernKs1722 on Wednesday, September 24, 2008 11:54 PM

My first pick would be Norfolk and Western J 4-8-4 611 followed closely by Southern Pacific GS-4 4-8-4 4449. As far as other steamers, one that no longer exists, but I wish did would be a B&O EM-1 2-8-8-4, although I think being at the throttle of a C&O 2-6-6-6 would be quite nice as well.

My one choice as far as electric locomotives go would have to be a Pennsylvania GG-1.

 

In regards to diesels, my choices would be an EMD BL-2, a Southern Railway EMD E8 or an EMD FP-7.

  • Member since
    October 2002
  • From: US
  • 2,358 posts
Posted by csxengineer98 on Wednesday, September 24, 2008 11:34 PM

with all due respect.. i dont think showing photos of anything will help make the point to some people on here....

csx engineer 

"I AM the higher source" Keep the wheels on steel
  • Member since
    February 2005
  • From: Vancouver Island, BC
  • 23,326 posts
Posted by selector on Wednesday, September 24, 2008 10:53 PM

Hey, fellas, the units have anti-climbers or they don't.  If it is to be demonstrated, do so with links and images, and then move on.  The mud slinging is going to reflect on the whole thread.

For those who wish to quote Javier, just delete the exclamation mark between the square brackets at the front of the quoted text, and it should work.

 

  • Member since
    March 2007
  • From: Rhododendron, OR
  • 1,514 posts
Posted by challenger3980 on Wednesday, September 24, 2008 10:44 PM

Awsome!,

  I am NOT an English Major by any stretch of the imagination, and if You had not opened this can of worms, I would have left well enough alone myself. Before You start criticizing others about spelling, You would do well to put more effort into your own SPELLING, USE OF WORDS and SENTENCE STRUCTURE as well. I have read many of your posts, and some of them are rather Challenging to read, to be Honest.

  Spelling and Grammar are not emphasized much on the forums, more importance is put on communicating your thoughts, and maintaining a civil atmosphere among the users. Again, I KNOW that I do occasionally mispell a word, or make  other grammatical errors myself, but, IN MY OPINION, this was uncalled for, and you are not Perfect either.

Doug

May your flanges always stay BETWEEN the rails

  • Member since
    October 2002
  • From: US
  • 2,358 posts
Posted by csxengineer98 on Wednesday, September 24, 2008 10:09 PM
 Awesome wrote:
 csxengineer98 wrote:
 Awesome wrote:
 silicon212 wrote:

And why is that?

 First the Metrolink train had an F59PH and not an F40PH, secondly it was a collision with a combined speed of 80mph!  How else would it come out?

Again, all the F59 & F40 Series doesn't have the anti climbers that means the new locomotives have a better "armored" and "Isolated" cab. 

a anti-climber has nothing to do with that crash.. with or without it the outcome is was still going to be bad for both trains.. i realy suggest you take some physics classes to learn about force..mass and energy and how they affect objects in motion... all the anti-climber is supost to do is keep the engins from rideing up and over other equpment...

and please take that boody ! out of your name..it is a real pain in the butt trying to repsond to you in a "quote"

 

csx engineer 

CSX

You should take classes in spelling before taking physics..Sign - Oops [#oops]

my spelling might not be the greatest..but i know physics and how things work in the real world.. i sugest that you open your eyes and try to learn something from people that DO know what they are taking about...

csx engineer 

"I AM the higher source" Keep the wheels on steel
  • Member since
    March 2008
  • From: Austin, TX
  • 851 posts
Posted by Awesome! on Wednesday, September 24, 2008 9:30 PM
 csxengineer98 wrote:
 Awesome wrote:
 silicon212 wrote:

And why is that?

 First the Metrolink train had an F59PH and not an F40PH, secondly it was a collision with a combined speed of 80mph!  How else would it come out?

Again, all the F59 & F40 Series doesn't have the anti climbers that means the new locomotives have a better "armored" and "Isolated" cab. 

a anti-climber has nothing to do with that crash.. with or without it the outcome is was still going to be bad for both trains.. i realy suggest you take some physics classes to learn about force..mass and energy and how they affect objects in motion... all the anti-climber is supost to do is keep the engins from rideing up and over other equpment...

and please take that boody ! out of your name..it is a real pain in the butt trying to repsond to you in a "quote"

 

csx engineer 

CSX

You should take classes in spelling before taking physics..Sign - Oops [#oops]

http://www.youtube.com/user/chefjavier
  • Member since
    December 2004
  • From: Mesa, AZ
  • 778 posts
Posted by silicon212 on Wednesday, September 24, 2008 8:30 PM

Again, all the F59 & F40 Series doesn't have the anti climbers that means the new locomotives have a better "armored" and "Isolated" cab. 

 What csxengineer98 said.  Plus, the F40PH and F59PH do indeed have anticlimbers on them.  Again, these don't help in this type of collision.

The anticlimber is to prevent one engine or more in a consist from riding up onto another one (climbing) during a collision or derailment.  The thing you are thinking of are collision posts and those are also in the above mentioned locomotives.  Sheer physics is what caused all of the damage - you know a case of 'the unstoppable force meeting the immovable object'.

  • Member since
    July 2003
  • From: Elmwood Park, NJ
  • 2,385 posts
Posted by trainfan1221 on Wednesday, September 24, 2008 7:20 PM
I have also noticed you can't respond to him in a quote either.. Mr. Awesome?
  • Member since
    October 2002
  • From: US
  • 2,358 posts
Posted by csxengineer98 on Wednesday, September 24, 2008 4:12 PM
 Awesome wrote:
 silicon212 wrote:

And why is that?

 First the Metrolink train had an F59PH and not an F40PH, secondly it was a collision with a combined speed of 80mph!  How else would it come out?

Again, all the F59 & F40 Series doesn't have the anti climbers that means the new locomotives have a better "armored" and "Isolated" cab. 

a anti-climber has nothing to do with that crash.. with or without it the outcome is was still going to be bad for both trains.. i realy suggest you take some physics classes to learn about force..mass and energy and how they affect objects in motion... all the anti-climber is supost to do is keep the engins from rideing up and over other equpment...

and please take that boody ! out of your name..it is a real pain in the butt trying to repsond to you in a "quote"

 

csx engineer 

"I AM the higher source" Keep the wheels on steel
  • Member since
    September 2002
  • From: US
  • 383 posts
Posted by CG9602 on Wednesday, September 24, 2008 9:45 AM
That is a tough question to answer. Perhaps a 4-6-2 Class E Pacific. Perhaps a Beyer-Garratt (one of the large Australian versions). Or something like an SD-70.
  • Member since
    March 2008
  • From: Austin, TX
  • 851 posts
Posted by Awesome! on Wednesday, September 24, 2008 6:26 AM
 silicon212 wrote:

And why is that?

 First the Metrolink train had an F59PH and not an F40PH, secondly it was a collision with a combined speed of 80mph!  How else would it come out?

Again, all the F59 & F40 Series doesn't have the anti climbers that means the new locomotives have a better "armored" and "Isolated" cab. 

http://www.youtube.com/user/chefjavier
  • Member since
    December 2004
  • From: Mesa, AZ
  • 778 posts
Posted by silicon212 on Wednesday, September 24, 2008 1:37 AM

And why is that?

 First the Metrolink train had an F59PH and not an F40PH, secondly it was a collision with a combined speed of 80mph!  How else would it come out?

  • Member since
    March 2008
  • From: Austin, TX
  • 851 posts
Posted by Awesome! on Tuesday, September 23, 2008 4:56 PM
 hf1001 wrote:

Actually, I'm adding another locomotive to my list, if it isn't already on there,:

AMTRAK EMD F40PH

After the accident of Metrolink you should think about riding the F40PH.

http://www.youtube.com/user/chefjavier
  • Member since
    July 2007
  • From: Oklahoma City, Ok
  • 161 posts
Posted by hf1001 on Tuesday, September 23, 2008 4:05 PM

Actually, I'm adding another locomotive to my list, if it isn't already on there,:

AMTRAK EMD F40PH

Heartland Flyer 1001 ___________________________________
  • Member since
    September 2006
  • From: Wayne County Michigan
  • 678 posts
Posted by dale8chevyss on Tuesday, September 16, 2008 5:18 PM
N&W 611.  Been my favorite for years now.   Heck I don't even care WHO runs it I just wish I could see it going again...

Modeling the N&W freelanced at the height of their steam era in HO.

 Daniel G.

  • Member since
    September 2008
  • 1 posts
Posted by fogtrain on Saturday, September 13, 2008 5:44 PM
For French railroad:CC 72000.For me, one of the greatest diesel locomotives in Europ
  • Member since
    July 2006
  • 464 posts
Posted by Mario_v on Thursday, September 11, 2008 11:56 AM
I would love to run an RSC-2, or an RSC-3, like the ones we used to have back here in my country. Maybe the last model would be my favourite, with a 300 metric ton train of budd cars, and a Nathan M5R24 for full nirvana in every grade crossing.Smile [:)]Yeah!! [yeah]
  • Member since
    January 2007
  • From: Petitcodiac NB Canada
  • 216 posts
Posted by Boomer Red on Thursday, August 28, 2008 1:36 AM

    I would love to run a former CN RSC14 like Salem & Hillsborough #1754! If I had the chance to run that baby I'd be grinning for days!Big Smile [:D]

http://www.theboykos.com/nbsh/loco3.shtml

 

Home of the Central Atlantic Railway
  • Member since
    December 2003
  • From: Anaheim, CA Bayfield, CO
  • 1,829 posts
Posted by Southwest Chief on Wednesday, August 27, 2008 11:49 PM

How about a D&SNGRR K-36...oh wait already did that Approve [^]

I'd love to go back in time and run a Santa Fe E1

 

Matt from Anaheim, CA and Bayfield, CO
Click Here for my model train photo website

  • Member since
    October 2002
  • From: US
  • 2,358 posts
Posted by csxengineer98 on Wednesday, August 27, 2008 5:22 AM
 CPR GP38-2 fan wrote:

Oh yeah, defenetly the SD90MACII (the 6k hp one!)

For extras....

GP40-2, GP38-2, SD80MAC, SD70MAC-2, and the SD70-2 

not going to be much differnce between a gp40 and a gp38..going to look the same out the window.. and the same thing for all the SDs you have listed.. they all look and respond the same way... if you rode in one..and got to take the trottle in any of them.. you can say you ran in 3 or 4 differnt classes of power in service now.. they all just about respond the same to the throttle too..so ran 1..ran them all.....

csx engineer 

"I AM the higher source" Keep the wheels on steel

Join our Community!

Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account.

Search the Community

Newsletter Sign-Up

By signing up you may also receive occasional reader surveys and special offers from Trains magazine.Please view our privacy policy