What if? Steam vs Diesel

[jimmac28]

The biggest problem would be just keeping water around, think of the size of the tender on some of the 200 or more mile divisions.

[JonathanS]

I agree with the comment on the EPA.  Another reason large steam locomotive could not survive in regular service today is liability lawsuits.  Do a little digging as to what happened to neighboring houses when a large steam locomotive exploded.  When a boiler full of water that is boiling at 200 PSI is suddenly brought to atmospheric pressure due to a collision, derailment, or crown sheet failure, the entire boiler full of water instantly turns to steam and expands 1000 times its own volume in a few seconds.  There are numerous reports of large sections of the boilers being thrown over a half mile.  Today's public would not stand for such a hazard in thier backyards.

[jimrice4449]

I have a 3 letter answer to the question of how viable steam engines would be today...EPA~!   I'm suprised (and grateful) that some envirozealot hasn't tried to shut down current steam operations.

[S&G Rute of the Silver River]

Persionally I love steam. Its mans most strongest sorce of power. but man has never been able to draw out all the power. A steamer needs a highly trained crue that is in tune to that loco and changing anything in that is dazasterous. A diesal is fairly simple to operate in you move the throdle and its going to give you all that power almost instantly. Yes they are less powerfull but can be MU'ed together by one crew. Steam uses fire which is almost alive, so you need someone to keep it alive and working. I think the roads would have pushed for diesal no matter how good steam was, its just cheeper, easer, and more versital.

[Anonymous]

This may have already been beat to death here but I am new to the forum and was wondering what others thought. What if the railroads had stayed with steam what do you think the Locos would be like today?

I have heard all the reasons that were given for going to the diesels, but my thoughts are the biggest one was the railroad seen a way they could get by with less workers, even if it took four or five of the new locos to pull as much as one steamer. I know there were alot of other factors, but if the steamers could have been doubleheaded by one crew I don't think they would have jumped ship as fast as some did. With todays controls this would not be a big deal but I guess in the 30's , 40's it was. Oh well what do some of you think?