Rules
I think we need something different then Favorite Loco topics, yes I started one a few months back, but I think we are all getting tired of them. So how about this, in your opinion what loco in the US and Canada only has been the most useful to railroading. It doesnt have to be your favorite but had the most impact on railroading and did its job the best. Real engineers I would love to hear your opinions, as well as from modelers and railfans. Now, you can only say one for each type of loco (steam, diesel, electric) you don't have to say one for each but you can say no more then one. If you can't make up your mind on diesels you can just say the series (Ex. Gp's, SD's, F's, E's, etc...) I will start it off in another post after this, these are just the rules.
Mike
Diesel-Gp 38's (38's, 38-2's, 38-3's)
Steam- 2-8-2's
Electric-GG-1's
Wow..Ns lover and I almost have the same opinion
electric- The GG1...one of the longest running electrics
Diesel- The GP-38...One of the most reliable
steam- 2-8-2 Many uses and was the most common and was capable of high speeds in both freight and passanger duty
alexweiihman wrote: Wow..Ns lover and I almost have the same opinion electric- The GG1...one of the longest running electricsDiesel- The GP-38...One of the most reliablesteam- 2-8-2 Many uses and was the most common and was capable of high speeds in both freight and passanger duty
Great minds think alike. Mike
Diesel: GP7/GP9, especially when equipped with steam generator
Steam: 2-8-2
Electric: NYC S-motor, an entire class that lasted in service for at least 60 years, if that isn't useful, I don't know what is.
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I think the 4-4-0 was the most useful steam locomotive. Through the 1800's they pulled passenger and freight. Most if not all railroads had them and some lasted into the 1950's. It's hard to see now, but the railroad was a vital part of passenger travel and mail. Passenger fares and mail contracts were significant for the railroads
Enjoy
Paul.
Mechanical Department "No no that's fine shove that 20 pound set all around the yard... those shoes aren't hell and a half to change..."
The Missabe Road: Safety First
I'd have to say the GMD1, the GP7-GP9, GP38-2, SD40 series, and the F40PH. But of those 6 i would say the GP9, which had been used since 1955 and is still used today by CN and CPR, and my local railway the CEMR which utilizes them as their only power. Whether 567c powered or 645, those loco's keep on goin like the Energizer Bunny.
Diesel: I echo the GP 38-2
Steam: 2-8-4 Berkshire
I don't know enough about diesels to offer an educated opinion, but my best guess would be the GP7-9, maybe the RS early ones, GP 38, possibly the current SD70-80 series....what do I know, though?
For steam, as soon as I read the question the Mike came to mind...they were like navels...everyone had them. They did dual use, and quite well, thanks very much. However, it would be somewhat of a travesty to not include the mighty Northern 4-8-4. Really, they were heavier and more modern Mikes with two more truck axles.
Electrical....way out of my depth, but the GG-1 surely gets a highly favoured position. There must be at least one other, perhaps the NYC example given earlier.