Best Steam Locomotive

[rixflix]

While the dual-purpose 4-8-4 was probably the pinnacle of modern steam development in the U.S., and I love all of them, it's the berk's and santa fe's that appeal to me most. The single-axle lead truck seemed to give them that long lean look. That said, my favorite is the Reading's K-class santa fe with that loooong tender.

Rick

[rixflix]

While the dual-purpose 4-8-4 was probably the pinnacle of modern steam development in the U.S., and I love all of them, it's the 2-8-4, 2-8-2 and 2-10-4 that appeal to me most. The single-axle lead truck seemed to give them that long lean look. That said, my favorite is the Reading's K-class santa fe with that loooong tender.

Rick

[Anonymous]

Another vote for CB&Q 5632 4-8-4 On an excursion from Chicago to Galesburg and back in '59. Looking it over at Union station before it left, soaking up the oily steam it seemed alive with unlimited power. I rode in a baggage car, doors open behind the tender. It was a double header with a 2-10-4 Texas in the lead with 18 cars behind. The Texas broke down, those of us in the baggage car jumped down and were able to climb into the cab and walk around. I found a picture of this on the web and I'm the kid in the stripped t shirt. 5632 pushed the Texas and pulled 18 cars to Galesburg. Then I was given free reign to explore the roundhouse, I was 7. They told me to stay out of the smokebox on locos with open doors. Left the Texas there. 5632 running late accelerated to 90 mph, it took half an hour. The ultimate railfan trip.

[Anonymous]

No body mentioned the North Georgia celebrity "The Gainsville Midline Decapod's." They were originally ordered for the Emperial Russian Railroads (read Siberian) but due the WW I didn't get to go. Instead the got the chore of pulling the, Commerce Cut, the Talmo, Jefferson, Arcada and the Oconee Heights Grades between Athens and Gainsville, GA. Tough, definatly not pretty, and gutsy. You can see one in my adopted state of North Carolina at the State Transportation Museum in Spencer. She is however unfortunatlly trapped in Seaboard (SAL ) livery and on display in the roundhouse. No one can say that this girl didn't earn her place in the shed, just go and look at what she had to do to make a living - Roy

[CSSHEGEWISCH]

I would consider most of Lima's Super Power designs to be the best steam locomotives in North America, especially the NKP Berkshires and the C&O Alleghenies. The Berkshires were designed for the service in which they were used, and were good enough to last in first-line service until 1958. The Alleghenies would have been an excellent fast freight locomotive for either UP or ATSF, but wound up spending much of their time in low speed mineral freight service.

[JDV5th]

Hard to argue with the power and speed of the Big Boys and Challengers, but the Hudsons are beautiful too. UP's 484 is another favorite.

[JDV5th]

Hard to argue with the power and speed of the Big Boys and Challengers, but the Hudsons are beautiful too. UP's 484 is another favorite.

[JDV5th]

I personally like the 4664 challengers and 4884 Big Boys. I also like the J3 Hudsons and UP's 484.

[JDV5th]

Sorry about the redundancy. I guess I'm new at this.

[vsmith]

I cant say just ONE !

Any geared loco.

Any narrow guage loco.

Any standard guage loco.

[espeefoamer]

PRRs K4s pacific.[:)]

[guilfordrr]

My favorites have to be the Pennsy's turbines and duplexes.

[Isambard]

As a CPR "brat" with vivid memories of riding in the cab of a CP 2-10-4 "Selkirk" 5900 Class as it hauled a freight up through the two Spiral Tunnels east of Field the summer of 1949, I must vote for the CP 2-10-4's, 5900 to 5935.
Ah, the smell of steam and oil fired exhaust smoke and the incredible heat and noise when in those tunnels!

[passengerfan]

My favorite was the GN 4-8-2 Mountains heading the heavyweight Empire Builder between Seattle and Havre classic power and the GN 4-8-4 was also a winner in my book.

[Philcal]

Have to go with SP's GS-4 locomotives.Rode the Daylight LA-San Francisco in 1953.I was 10 years old,with a railroader Grandfather.The Diesels were coming on line,but those GS-4's were totally awesome pulling the Daylight up the Coast Line. The memories are still vivid.

[cstaats]

The Erie's K-4s as they would pass over the Wanaque River befor pulling into Midvale station. Maybe because It was the first train I had seen. I would love to watch the moving parts yeah I was hooked.

[UPTRAIN]

I'm glad this exciting topic got revived here in the last few days...thanks to all who posted...My vote still goes to the 1522, 844, and 3985, the latter I will see AGAIN for the SECOND time in 1 YEAR!!! Thank you Union Pacific (see signature).

[bfsfabs]

I've gotta jump in with espeefoamer on the SP AC-9, folowed REAL closely by the Daylights and the MTs with skyline casings. I have a soft spot in my head for the skyline casings, I guess. But somehow, the Sunbeams just don't seem to get in the act.

[rixflix]

If I'm doing my arithmetic correctly. I was eleven in 6th grade in 1957 when Sister Joanna took my class down to the visual arts room to watch a film about nickel plating. We all knew about nickel plating because Reading was still a hardware making city. It was a resl treat when it turned out to be a Nickel Plate promotional film touting "High Speed Service" with Berks and Mikes throughout!!!

Rick

[Modelcar]

....William:
Those Pennsy engines are all beauties.....Especially the last one....What was that...a TI I believe designed by Raymond Lowey.

[CP5415]

I've only seen one working steam locomotive in my life so far.
CPR 2816.
I saw her today going through Durham Region today & rode behind her last June.

So the best Steam Locomotive I think is 4-6-4 2816

Gordon

[Anonymous]

Another one I like is the PRR 1361