A poetic thought on steam vs. diesel

[Anonymous]

I am 24 years old going on 25, yet I am crazy for the steam engine, so much so I shall forever boo Norfolk Southern for dropping it's steam program (though I don't boo with malice. NS is still a fine railroad).
Anyway, to me, the steam engine forever will be the emperor of the high iron. The diesel the prime minister that took over the day-to-day work from the emperor who still handles ceremonial duties.
Finally, when I first saw Milwaukee 261 back in May of 1997, I felt like a man who had been surviving on a diet of soda crackers and water in my railfanning (i.e. just photographing diesel freights) going to a feast.
Vive la steam engine! :-)

Richard Krebes
Livin' by the BNSF in Long Lake, Minnesota

[CSXrules4eva]

Hay man I too am on the same page as you sort of. I love steam as much as I love diesel. And I would give anything to see a steam locomotive take charge on a high traffic mainline pulling fast or heavy mainline traffic. One locomotive in particulat I would love to see run again is the 2-6-6-6 Allegheny my favorite.!!

[Anonymous]

Yeah, an Alleghney would be cool. Thing is, are there any still around? The C&O preserved lots of their 2-8-4's but I can't recall if an 2-6-6-6's got saved. Now a bunch of Big Boys are still around...hey Steamtown! Restore that baby next after the Boston and Maine 4-6-2! :-)

Richard Krebes
Livin' by the old GN main in Long Lake, Minnesota

[espeefoamer]

I ,too, came along too late to see steam.My first steam engine was SP 4449,south of Dunsmuir, pulling 4 passenger cars on its way to join the Freedom Train.I have been a steam fan ever since[:)].

[ndbprr]

Believe it or not there is a preserved 2-6-6-6. It has even been kept indorrs all these years. It is at the Henry Ford Museum in Detroit and I believe it is a CSX version. the reason you don't hear about it is it is tucked in where you can't even get a picture of it. Last time I was there it even had a coat of gloss black and looked like a million dollars. I doubt it has had the bearings lubed or any maintenance and I know it has no room to be moved back and forth so put it in the hopper with the Big Boy restoration rumors.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the info! Glad to hear an Allegehny survived. :-)

Richard Krebes
Trackside by the BNSF in Long Lake, Minnesota

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by ndbprr

Believe it or not there is a preserved 2-6-6-6. It has even been kept indorrs all these years. It is at the Henry Ford Museum in Detroit and I believe it is a CSX version. the reason you don't hear about it is it is tucked in where you can't even get a picture of it. Last time I was there it even had a coat of gloss black and looked like a million dollars. I doubt it has had the bearings lubed or any maintenance and I know it has no room to be moved back and forth so put it in the hopper with the Big Boy restoration rumors.

If you like the 1601 at the Ford museum, you should really like the 1604 at the B&O museum in Baltimore. Two of the C&O 2-6-6-6's are preserved.

Larry

[Anonymous]

I know exactly what you guys mean! I'm 18 and I love steam! I think diesel is great, too, but it's no match for steam locomotives! My favourite diesels are first generation, so I was definetly born too late for my favourite motive power. Oh, how wonderful it would be to have steam back in mainline service...

[Anonymous]

Double thank-God, banger11 regarding the Allegehy at the B&O museum. Arriba! :-)
I hear ya on first-generation diesels, Sask. In fact, all first-generation diesels (plus the SD45 and GGI electric engine) rank as "honorary steam locomotives" in my book.

Richard

[Anonymous]

Although I've always thought steam was 10 times more lively, friendly, influenceful,
& less pollutive (Diesels burn oil, whereas steam usually has used natural elements
such as coal, wood, & water {The oil burners are an exception} ) diesels are still
great machines. Don't forget electrics.

[Anonymous]

I always liked the F-7's, Alco P-A's, Makeen motor cars, GG-1's,& the GE's first Geep
series better than the mean-looking sd-70's.