And I'm looking for answers in Steam, Diesel, Electric etc.
Modeling the "Fargo Area Rapid Transit" in O scale 3 rail.
The smallest standard-gauge diesel would probably be an industrial design. I have pictures of a GE 35-tonner but I have no doubt that Plymouth, Brookville or some other specialized builder came up with something smaller.
Smallest designs for both steam and diesel are probably four wheeled industrial locomotives. For electrics, I suspect it is one of the classes of four wheeled Swiss switchers.
For steam I can not imagine any thing smaller (lighter) than the Tom Thumb. The B&O's grasshoppers were not much heavier.
Mac McCulloch
ndbprrDidn't EMD make a very small four wheel switcher?
I would guess today its those trackmobiles (?) that run on both rail or rubber tires.
Would a Fairmont speeder qualify as a "locomotive"?
Tom
Mack trucks built a very small 4 wheel diesel, I think smaller than that EMD job. Black River & Western used to have it in their collection, probably still do. There were plenty of tiny gas mechanical 4 wheelers built and as PNWRMNM pointed out, early steam locomotives were tiny!
Does this count?
http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=453746&nseq=67
Do you count the small electric "pushers" (some battery powered) as a locomotive?
If not, what is your working definition?
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Chuck
The smallest modern steam locomotive was a 'miniaturized' Porter 0-4-0T built for the Bullard Machine Company, their #2. When I saw it at Steamtown (Reading) some years ago it was parked right in front of the Big Boy...
There is a company in Derby, England, that is developing a low-cost lightweight modern streetcar, and on the way has developed a very successful "Railway Shop Cat." It looks like a flat slab (and one or two people can stand on it, but don't), has four wheels not much bigger than rollerskate wheels, and is controlled from a wireless computer tablet. It is battery powered. It can slowly move a large 100-foot long light railcar or even two coupled if necessary. I think the name is something like DDSystems or something like that. They use the wheel-motor permanent magnet concept, rivaling Magnet Motor in Germany, who power many of Europe's low-floor battery, hybred, and trolleybuses.
I offer up for consideration the "Flying Bufferbeam," a 1936 0-4-0T standard gauge steamer weighing only eleven (long/metric) tons:
http://www.brc-stockbook.co.uk/1900.htm
http://ukrailways1970tilltoday.me.uk/Buckinghamshire_Railway_Centre_8.html
WOW THE WINNER?
daveklepper WOW THE WINNER?
I doubt it. I believe there were standard gauge Industrial locomotives smaller than that...
"I Often Dream of Trains"-From the Album of the Same Name by Robyn Hitchcock
Speaking of industrial engines, here is a selection from a good site for that. Go back a screen and there are more Mfgs to choose from. 10-12 ton are easy to find. Some must be lighter.
http://www.northeast.railfan.net/diesel142.html
A five ton.
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