Okay. Right now, the worlds largest operating steam engine is Union Pacific’s 3985, the Challenger. What is the second largest? How would you go about in terms of measuring? Weight? Length? Height? Boiler girth?
I think the answer is between the Espee 4449, ATSF 3751, and UP 844. They are all pretty masive. [8)]
I was at Railfair '99 and saw most of the largest operating steam locomotives at the same time, in person.
Which do you think is the 2nd largest currently living steam locomotive?
From pilot to tender I think it’s 3751.
I understand that there’s a 2-10-4 out there that is ready to run some excusrions, if a suitable line can be found to run it on.
I only know the worlds fastest steam loco. Its the german 18 201, a 4-6-2 pacific built in the 60´s and runs 100 miles per hour. Its driving wheels have a diameter of 2.30 meters, its the most wonderful loco in the world i think.
micha
3985 is the largest, followed by the 844 (902,000 pounds, 113 feet), followed by the SP&S 700 (879,700 pounds, 110 feet), then the 4449, Milw 261, and the ATSF 3751. Don’t know where the Frisco’s 1522 is in regard to this. Likely between the 3751 and the 4449.
See http://www.sps700.org/locostats.html for more stats.
The N&W’s 1218 and 611 are no longer in operation. Also, the former NKP 765 is not listed.
It’s still not as fast the London & North Eastern’s A4 4-6-2 Mallard, which reached a world record 128 mph in the 1930s.
I correct myself: Todays fastest active steam engine.
micha
We Germans have to be so precise. I wasn’t aware, Supermicha, of that German lok! Thanks for the info!
So second largest by combonation of weight and length is UP #844.