I am 24 years old going on 25, yet I am crazy for the steam engine, so much so I shall forever boo Norfolk Southern for dropping it’s steam program (though I don’t boo with malice. NS is still a fine railroad).
Anyway, to me, the steam engine forever will be the emperor of the high iron. The diesel the prime minister that took over the day-to-day work from the emperor who still handles ceremonial duties.
Finally, when I first saw Milwaukee 261 back in May of 1997, I felt like a man who had been surviving on a diet of soda crackers and water in my railfanning (i.e. just photographing diesel freights) going to a feast.
Vive la steam engine!
Richard Krebes
Livin’ by the BNSF in Long Lake, Minnesota
Hay man I too am on the same page as you sort of. I love steam as much as I love diesel. And I would give anything to see a steam locomotive take charge on a high traffic mainline pulling fast or heavy mainline traffic. One locomotive in particulat I would love to see run again is the 2-6-6-6 Allegheny my favorite.!!
Yeah, an Alleghney would be cool. Thing is, are there any still around? The C&O preserved lots of their 2-8-4’s but I can’t recall if an 2-6-6-6’s got saved. Now a bunch of Big Boys are still around…hey Steamtown! Restore that baby next after the Boston and Maine 4-6-2!
Richard Krebes
Livin’ by the old GN main in Long Lake, Minnesota
I ,too, came along too late to see steam.My first steam engine was SP 4449,south of Dunsmuir, pulling 4 passenger cars on its way to join the Freedom Train.I have been a steam fan ever since[:)].
Believe it or not there is a preserved 2-6-6-6. It has even been kept indorrs all these years. It is at the Henry Ford Museum in Detroit and I believe it is a CSX version. the reason you don’t hear about it is it is tucked in where you can’t even get a picture of it. Last time I was there it even had a coat of gloss black and looked like a million dollars. I doubt it has had the bearings lubed or any maintenance and I know it has no room to be moved back and forth so put it in the hopper with the Big Boy restoration rumors.
I know exactly what you guys mean! I’m 18 and I love steam! I think diesel is great, too, but it’s no match for steam locomotives! My favourite diesels are first generation, so I was definetly born too late for my favourite motive power. Oh, how wonderful it would be to have steam back in mainline service…
Double thank-God, banger11 regarding the Allegehy at the B&O museum. Arriba!
I hear ya on first-generation diesels, Sask. In fact, all first-generation diesels (plus the SD45 and GGI electric engine) rank as “honorary steam locomotives” in my book.
Although I’ve always thought steam was 10 times more lively, friendly, influenceful,
& less pollutive (Diesels burn oil, whereas steam usually has used natural elements
such as coal, wood, & water {The oil burners are an exception} ) diesels are still
great machines. Don’t forget electrics.
