Looking forward to hearing the results, Simon. Did the article give a break out of which manufacturers produced the most locomotives?
Also, any feedback on diesels?
Thanks,
Erik
The UK "Railway Magazine" recently carried an article about this.
Globally the most predominant wheel arrangement was 0-6-0, followed by 2-8-0. I can't remember what came next but I don't think it was 4-4-0.
I'm at work and can't immediately find the answer but I'll attempt to dig it out when I get home.
Are we talking about the most built of a wheel arrangement, if so I think it's the 2-8-0 followed by the 4-4-0.
Enjoy
Paul
Popular does'nt equate to quantity built.
Huge numbers of USRA 2-8-0's and 2-10-0's were built during WW2. They were appalling to drive, fire and maintain but were a necessity at the time.
jimrice4449 wrote:The most popular steam locomotive design was the USRA 0-8-0 switcher (and copies). It was also the last steam locomotive built for US common carrier service (for N&W). I believe the most popular diesel was the F-7
I would think that the Russian Decapod at over 1000 built would outnumber the USRA 0-8-0.
The answers make one wonder why these locomotives were so popular with railroad execs.
The 0-8-0 switcher does not surprise me. I wonder how many of them are preserved as compared to their larger brethren? There is nothing particularly glamorous about the humble switcher. They didn't set speed records or do any majestic combat hauling long freights over hills.
I also wonder about the Soviet and Indian locomotives. Does anyone think that they became so popular because there was only one manufacturer doing the building?
And where does the American 4-4-0 fall into the numbers game? Seems that was the locomotive of choice for us over here...
I'd be quite surprised if the GP7/GP9 weren't high on the list of most popular, at least here in the U.S.
LC
CSSHEGEWISCH wrote:Since he includes the entire world, and being the Alco fan that I am, I would think that the top diesel would be either the DL560/WDM2 or DL535/YDM4. Both enjoyed huge production in India under license from Alco. Keep in mind that this could be trumped by some diesel model from the former Soviet bloc.
Indeed , the M-62 was a very popular locomotive , I think there were at least a dozen or more countrys with a large number of them. A group of them are getting a new lease on life in Poland.
We all have our favorite locomotives, but my question is a bit more practical for those who know. What steam locomotive was built more than any other- and by whom? The answer would tell me what the favorite locomotive was for the railroads- not the railfan.
I'd like to know the same thing for diesel locomotives as well.
Just to add spice to the mix, let's not limit the question to just the USA or even North America, but open it up to the entire world.
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