Best lines on a non streamlined non articulated steamer

[UncBob]

ATLANTIC CENTRAL

Well, I like Mountain types, especially the USRA Heavy and its clones/rebuilds, and those built by the B&O.

Second might well be the Detroit Toledo & Ironton 800 series Mikado, which does look very much like a C&O or NKP 2-8-4, just a little smaller.

.

Sheldon

 

I just checked out a pic of that DT&I Mikado and except for the rear of the cab it could pass for a Nickle plate Berk 

[Burlington Northern Rails]

My two favorites are

1. Milwaukee Road S2 4-8-4

2. Chicago Burlington & Quincy O5B 4-8-4

[twhite]

UP 4-12-2

I'd say the individual who chose the Rio Grande M-64 4-8-4 has impeccable taste!  For me, too, it is the ultimate, most beautiful 4-8-4.

I find the huge sand domes and some other appurtenances on the big Lima Berk and Texas Types to be a visual put off.

My choices:

1. DRGW M-64 4-8-4

2. UP 4-12-2

3. DRGW M-78 4-8-2

4. SP 4-10-2

5. UP rebuilt 4-10-2 5500 class

In my opinion, any of those 5 engines epitomizes what I consider to be the "classic look" of steam power--some exposed piping, but not too many external appurtenances as to look like a rolling plumber's nightmare--and overall good, clean proportions.  I love the big non-articulated steamers.

John

my definition of a plumber's or pipefitter's nightmare:  WP 251-class and 257-class 2-8-8-2's

John: 

That was me, and thank you.  As to the Rio Grande M-78, were you thinking of the Alco 4-8-2's with the 'booster' trailing truck?  Even though they had the main rod connected to the 3rd instead of the 2nd main driver, they were extremely well-balanced and even with only 63" drivers, they could really get up and move when they wanted to.  And I like their clean lines, very much.

Here's a shot of one of my three:  She's a Custom Brass model, and it took a little work to get her running well, but she does a very nice job on the layout. 

 

Tom

 

[UP 4-12-2]

Hi Tom--

I'm not personally real fond of boosters located anywhere.

However, many years ago RMC had a nicely weathered Custom Brass DRGW M-78 on the cover, and I have wanted one ever since!

Never got one; never even saw one that was painted (I live in PA), and now I have a family with small children, so MTH is about as rich as I can get (couldn't afford to have a fine paint and lighting job done on a brass M-78 by one of the painters I find acceptable).

I once bought a mint PFM Crown DRGW M-75 4-8-2--and it had never been run, so with the open frame motor, it growled quite a bit.  Once I found out they exaggerated the boiler by 10% to make the engine more "impressive" in HO, well, between that and the open frame motor I sold it.  One of the very few engines I ever made an immediate turn-around profit on...

Should've kept it and just ran it in and used it.  They were built to last.  I also miss a Westside SP 4-10-2...

The M-75 is also a very well-proportioned 4-8-2.

Best Regards--

John

[Heartland Division CB&Q]

I like smaller, older steam. In particular, I like the CB&Q 2-6-2 Prairie type.

[UncBob]

 Here is a pic of the Lackawanna Pocono

Nice clean lines without a lot of extra piping etc

 

 

[cjcrescent]

 Southern's 4-6-2 Ps-4

 Southern's 2-8-2 Ms-4

 L&N 2-8-4 Big Emma.