"Big Boy vs. Allegheny"; Those are fighting words!

[Anonymous]

What about N&W A class 2-6-6-4? They do it all, up to 70 mph, I recall. And if you're talking about efficiency, straight eletrics beat all of them hands down. Why do you think the VGN or the PRR of the CMStP&P went that route? What about the C&O T-1 and the PRR copies? They were almost as strong, and two less cylinders to boot! That might have been the way to go.

[Anonymous]

OK here we go on the N&W...yeah ok so they could do 70mph...but the N&W was a single track coal dragging railroad...how often did they see 70????

[Anonymous]

Fergus,

I have no problems with your reply. I enjoy whatever people have to offer on this wonderful thread. I admit to being very stobbern in support of the "Alley" However, I will say that I do not yet know very much about steam in the mountains regions beyond northern california and west of Missoula yet. However I am too reading books and learning for instance that the Cab forward is valuable in keeping the crew alive in the long tunnels.

I believe there is something to learn everyday. Ty for your insightful post.

[Anonymous]

LCandMRR,

You mentioned the C and O 2-10-4 engines. These monsters were specifically ordered by C and O to run 170 loads of coal in Ohio where the terrain is demanding. I think that these engines performed magnificently both directions with a little assistance here and there. Grades experienced in Ohio is nowhere near the long fuel starving grades of the west and or the brutal frame busting grades of the eastern mountain ranges.

The large engines of the Big Boys and Etcetra including electrics will always be able to break a Texas Type engine when the going gets hard.

I will take a shot at the 70 mile and hour figure by reminding you that Coal is not a "Piority" freight. All that is needed is slow and steady supply in never ending trains. 15 miles and hour is just well suited to this. Now a mile of Fruit from California needs high speed with power across the barren wastes of Wyoming to get to the market in good condition and the UP's Big Boy fit the bill nicely.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by HighIron2003ar

LCandMRR,

You mentioned the C and O 2-10-4 engines. These monsters were specifically ordered by C and O to run 170 loads of coal in Ohio where the terrain is demanding. I think that these engines performed magnificently both directions with a little assistance here and there. Grades experienced in Ohio is nowhere near the long fuel starving grades of the west and or the brutal frame busting grades of the eastern mountain ranges.

The large engines of the Big Boys and Etcetra including electrics will always be able to break a Texas Type engine when the going gets hard.

I will take a shot at the 70 mile and hour figure by reminding you that Coal is not a "Piority" freight. All that is needed is slow and steady supply in never ending trains. 15 miles and hour is just well suited to this. Now a mile of Fruit from California needs high speed with power across the barren wastes of Wyoming to get to the market in good condition and the UP's Big Boy fit the bill nicely.

Well said, Highiron. [^]

[Anonymous]

Dear HighIron

From what I have been able to gather is that some of the grades in ohio where .63%. My understandinding of grades tells me that this is not a big deal I wonder if this is a typo. I know that there was a grade in the Canadian Rockies that was 4% and that Selkirks (2-10-4) where used to move freight through this region.
Speaking of 2-10-4's Broadway is soon to release a C&O 2-10-4! Time to save!!

[AggroJones]

I think the Big Boy is just a glorified Yellowstone with a better pilot truck! [:p] [;)] [X-)]

[mustanggt]

This topic is still alive?

[AggroJones]

I was trying to get the ball rolling again, as this was an intresting discusion. Nevermind. [:(]

[Anonymous]

Well the PRR had longer engines than the Big Boys.[;)]

[Anonymous]

It's out of steam. I have done all the pulling I could on this topic what I say stands. Maybe some one else can throw in something else for us to chew on. But I thought this thread was rusting quietly in peace on one of the server's hard drives. =)

[Fergmiester]

QUOTE: Originally posted by AggroJones

I was trying to get the ball rolling again, as this was an intresting discusion. Nevermind. [:(]

Key word being "was". You can't flog a dead horse especially after the flies have had their fill. Yes this was a good topic but as you may or may not remember and if I'm not mistaken got out of hand and lead to mud slinging and sand storming resulting in some of us leaving the sand box.

Bottom line is we goota find something new to get the creative juices and the fun started again after all we all know the Allegheny was by far the better of the two[:D]

Round 2 anyone?

[lupo]

Hi fergus! During autopsy of this dead [xx(] horse a question popped up:
does your disfunctional Bigboy have something to do with your preference of the [:p] "other" engine ?
[(-D][(-D]

[Fergmiester]

Good Question! but no. I read back through some of my original retorts and am of the opinion I was suffering form RR Block and was just "stirring the pot" to annoy those who wanted to be annoyed. The other issue is those who are UP fans are rather eletist and need to be put in their place. [:O]

Now that this pot is stirred once again it's unfortunate I will not be sticking around to watch the Fireworks as once again I have to sail again for parts unknown