Watching a video about Big Boy. Does anybody know if the D&H 4-6-6-4's could pivot around curves to the same extent as the Big Boys?
I've already expressed my approval of the D&H articulateds. Of course, I'm glad to see the Big Boy back in steam.
As far as I know, the sole purpose of an articulated frame is to allow the longer boiler and two engines to negotiate curves that a non-articulated frame could not. So, to me, all the modern articulated engines could handle the typical yard and mainline curvatures they would encounter.
A Union Pacific "Challenger" could go anywhere a "Big Boy" could go, and since the D&H "Challengers" were essentially the same as the ones owned by the UP, except for minor differences, they certainly could go anywhere a "Big Boy" could.
If I see where you're going with this Father, I'm sure you're wondering if the 4014 might come east for a romp on the old D&H. I'd love to see it too!
It's strictly a matter of vertical and horizontal clearances, and of course if the UP and an eastern host 'road are willing.
Like yourself, I'm saddened the D&H didn't save any examples of their big steamers, but what can you do?
The Western Maryland had a series of Challenger articulated locomotives - while they performed their tasks well, WM found it did not have the necessary financial resources to do the necessary rebuilding to keep them in service for the duration of their lease. They were stored a year or more before their lease expired and subsequently went to the scrappers.
Never too old to have a happy childhood!
Likely a D&H Challenger would be able to negotiate sharper curves than a Big Boy, both because of the longer rigid wheelbase and the Centipede tender (in reverse). Both (as with all Challengers) have a bit of a disadvantage in rigid wheelbase because of the pin-guided 4-wheel truck. To some extent, the critical detail will be the lateral-motion arrangements on the forward engine, controlling the 'resultant' on the first driver pair flanges as the engine negotiates curves.
If this were the 'classical' D&H, much of the railroad was laid out to accommodate very heavy eight-coupled lcomotives (albeit with low drivers) but of course much if not all of the trackwork from that era has been long 'diesel-accommodated' just as it was on NS in Dismal Swamp and elsewhere.
On a potentially positive note: the CP that destroyed a recent steam excursion out of Steamtown by arbitrarily doubling required insurance limits at nearly the last minute may no longer be operating part of the route in the East.
As to the Big Boy's coming to the east coast, I have this question: Can it fit through all the tight spaces that might be along the way--what are its overall dimensions when compared with those of steam power used in the East?
Johnny
Deggesty As to the Big Boy's coming to the east coast, I have this question: Can it fit through all the tight spaces that might be along the way--what are its overall dimensions when compared with those of steam power used in the East?
A Big Boy did come east years ago, when Steamtown was still in Bellows Falls, VT.
I imagine it got there via what was then B&M and CV trackage. It would be hard to imagine anything of that weight traveling over the ex-Rutland tracks.
IF 4014 came east, a good route would be along the old Erie. Originally built to a six-foot gauge, the Erie had very generous clearances when eventually it was altered to standard gauge.
During WW2 just about all oversize loads coming east to the New York area came on the Erie.
Flintlock76IF 4014 came east, a good route would be along the old Erie.
Be a bit difficult if as much of it is pulled up or embargoed as I think is the case...
Although ... one way or the other ... it would be spectacular to see a Big Boy traversing NJT's Moodna Viaduct on the ex-Graham Line.
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Overmod Flintlock76 IF 4014 came east, a good route would be along the old Erie. Be a bit difficult if as much of it is pulled up or embargoed as I think is the case... Although ... one way or the other ... it would be spectacular to see a Big Boy traversing NJT's Moodna Viaduct on the ex-Graham Line.
Flintlock76 IF 4014 came east, a good route would be along the old Erie.
A "Big Boy" on "World-Famous" Moodna Viaduct! Oh my, wouldn't that be a sight to see?
Or maybe there'd be so many helicopters and drones buzzing around we wouldn't be able to see it at all!
No matter, it's fun to speculate anyway. One other thing, as another poster stated a "Big Boy" could certainly go anywhere double-stacks could go, at least as far as vertical clearances are concerned.
It IS kinda fun to speculate on the sight of a "Big Boy" roaring down through Suffern, Mahwah, Ramsey, Allendale, Waldwick, Ho-Ho-Kus, Ridgewood, Glen Rock, Hawthorne, Paterson, Passaic, and across the Meadows to Hoboken. THAT would certainly make people look up from their Smartphones!
Of course, New Jersey Transit would have to be willing, but then they could use some good publicity.
Fr.Al A Big Boy did come east years ago, when Steamtown was still in Bellows Falls, VT. I imagine it got there via what was then B&M and CV trackage. It would be hard to imagine anything of that weight traveling over the ex-Rutland tracks.
I dunno. Remember, back in the day the Rutland 4-8-2' S were modern, but lighter than similar engines elsewhere. True, they handled the milk trains the length of the system. Possibly because they had to traverse the Corkscrew division, something lighter was needed.
Obviously, you meant Hoosick Junction to North Bennington, then Rutland, then to Bellows Falls. If it came over the D&H to Rutland, that raises the intriguing question, did D&H ever operate those Challengers there? If the answer is yes, one could say that might have been the only place in New England where articulateds ran.But in each case, the Big Boy would have had to travel from Rutland to Bellows Falls on Rutland trackage.
I believe it came over either B&M trackage east to the joint B&M-CV trackage going north along the Connecticut river. Or else, east over former B&A trackage and then north over the abovementioned route. I wonder if anyone out there knows?
I didn't think about the Hoosac Tunnel. I'm betting on former B&A trackage.
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