Am I a bad rail fan because I don't like small steam?

[BNSFGP38]

QUOTE: Am I a bad rail fan because I don't like small steam?

Yes.

[edblysard]

Well,
Now its time to put my foot in it...

I liked the article...but then I am prejeduced some...I work with medium framed switchers all day long.(MK1500Ds, which are built on GP9 frames)

So it was kinda nice to see some of the small steam survived, and even found homes where their unique style and properties make them a asset, instead of a park display.

Dont get me wrong, I like big steam too, been in the cab of the 3985 under steam, rode behind her on a fan trip...and when they let her have her head..well, if the sound of that lady running easy dosnt give you goose bumps and shiver your timbers, ya got something wrong with you!

Not that big locomotives are stuck in one type of service...I have flat switched with a SD70M...and ohhhh, I like It!
Turn your hat around, and make sure ya got your good boots on!

But the idea of a shay or a 0-6-0 still doing excatly what it was designed for can offer the same thrill...the sound of a small steam locomotive blowing its whistle deep in the east Texas forest might be one of the erriest sounds ever...

Thats one of the reasons I still subscribe to Trains...they dont lock you into the "this is the only serious(fill in the blank) so this is all we will cover"...

Variaty is the spice of life, and they have managed to cover quite a few different aspects of this industry over the last few years.

But, I would like to remind them that the US has three coast lines..and down here on the third coast, we have more trackage in Texas than any other state!

So, Gabe might call them potatoes...and I might call 'em taters...but we both can make hash browns....

Its all good!

Ed

[CSSHEGEWISCH]

"Bless 'em all, bless 'em all, the long and the short and the tall"

While I am primarily a diesel enthusiast, I find just about anything in railroading to be fascinating, be it diesel, straight electric, steam or anything else. I find the Green Goat or UP 3985 to be just as interesting as the SD40/slug set pushing the cut over Clearing's hump.

As Ed states, it's all good.

Paul

[ajmiller]

QUOTE: Originally posted by CSSHEGEWISCH

"Bless 'em all, bless 'em all, the long and the short and the tall"

While I am primarily a diesel enthusiast, I find just about anything in railroading to be fascinating, be it diesel, straight electric, steam or anything else. I find the Green Goat or UP 3985 to be just as interesting as the SD40/slug set pushing the cut over Clearing's hump.

As Ed states, it's all good.

Paul

Yeah, I like em all too,...well, all except the CF7.
yick [xx(]

[techguy57]

QUOTE: Originally posted by gabe

I thought the article on the SD-50 was awesome.

Gabe

As did I! It did a great job of explaining why you don't see them despite the act they aren't reallty that old. It just shows how "inventing a better locomotive" isn't always the best idea. Fascinating stuff.

Mike

[Anonymous]

I will admit I like big steam.
3985/844 there is a small SP steam engine near the turntable in Grapevine TX I wouldn't mind seeing run again.
I havent seen the 4449 or the 3751.
Oh how many of you out there get the Thomas the tank engine stuff. At work everyone knows I like trains so everyone thinks I just love Thomas. aaaaaahhhh its not even a real locomotive!!! Even my son was unimpressed by the day out with Thomas event. I mean how could he be impressed when he has seen the 3985 up close and personal.
To be honest I prefer UP steam.

[jockellis]

Yes, you are a bad railfan and as penance, you must search for an Alco diesel to ride on an all day fan trip. The latest Trains is one of my favorites because it gives me hope for railroads. I liked reading about what those New Yorkers are doing with the Adarondack (I'm sure this is misspelled but I don't have a dictionary handy) Railroad. If the big railroads are going to focus on long haul, low manpower loads, it is nice to know that community activists can run a railroad the way it needs to be done.
Big steam? For tourist lines to do well, they only have to have something that looks like BIG STEAM and six coupled fills the bill. It looks more impressive to have a leading truck but a switcher will pull more since all its weight is used for pulling. What a steamer really needs to impress is lots of steam hissing from anywhere it can so that it looks more alive and primeval.
Jock Ellis
Cumming, GA US of A