My favorites are as follows. Steam, Frisco 1630 at Illinois railway museum, on my 30th b-day I was given a take the throttle certificate and i picked that!!!!, Diesel, EMD SD-90MAC followed by the Emd DD40,and for electric it would have to be the GG1 as I saw my first one at IRM back in 1977 on a school field trip. As a second steam favorite would be the SP 4449 as I was standing trackside in my hometown of Fox River Grove IL. when it came thru with the American Freedom Train in 1975-76.
Union Pacific Veranda turbine, rode in one in Evanston, WY. Union Pacific Challengers, rode the 3710 (on display now in North Platte with original number), 3712, 3715 and 3717 in Ogden.
I'll second the GG1. I was on a troop train heading to NY, and happened to look out the window as we were going around a curve somewhere east of Harrisburg. We were being pulled by a nice, shiny GG1. I spent the rest of the trip in the vestibule looking out the Dutch door. (You could do that in 1955)
We fairly flew-I kept expecting to leave the ground. Went down the Main Line and through NJ. That left an impression on me that has lasted a lifetime.
Before I retired, 10 yrs ago, I would answer for steam: a toss-up between Pennsy passenger engine running around under the three-note chime steam-whistle, or any engine with which, I was told, had a six chambered whistle....SP 2467's heard going away blowing for multiple crossings would not send chills to your spine; it would freeze your vertabrae.
I would answer for Diesel: whatever I was running at the time. From 1960 to June '02, if it was on or used by SP, I ran practically all of the types. The U50's and the C415's are stand-out misses. But
I did run the KM's, both of the "Krauts" hydraulics and the DH-640's, all the FM's, Baldwins above the VO's, GE's (rats; I did miss the 44-tonners, but from 70-tonners on up......) and Alco's from the SP's HH to the C-630 and DH-640.
What I'm repeating is that statement that "every trip is an adventure, let's begin it."
Let the adventure begin. Live by the previuos phrase.
"way out there," pioneer's son's.... "one more ride"
well let me see. the usual 4-8-8-4 or any steam really but interms of diesel im thinking gp-30
What are the parameters. Revenue or nostalgia?
For revenue: Either type of power - go big or go home.
For nostalgia: Diesel: RS-3 --- Steam: Any 2-8-0 Consolidation type.
Think branch line, or mixed train daily!
Steam? Union Pacific's Jabelmann Challengers, specifically 3985.
Diesel? I've always liked the F7s. Beautiful and hard to kill - take them off the main line and they'll just head to dinner train or a tourist railroad.
Any one of them that doesn't create 'DRAMA' - between origin and destination.
Never too old to have a happy childhood!
BaltACD Any one of them that doesn't create 'DRAMA' - between origin and destination.
AMEN!!!
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