This question has been asked before and the answer the last time was “No!”
They will never be restored to operational condition simply because there is no turntable or shops left anywhere in the country that can accomodate it. Also remember BB’s were used only along certain routes where the curvitures clearences trainsheds etc at the yards and shops were adequate for these monsters. Most places everywhere else could not accomodate them.
Translation: Allegheny;s are more versatile and adaptable. I’m quite sure an Allegheny could haul a Mile of fruit without any trouble, question is can a BB haul an Allegheny’s worth of coal?
We will never know.[:D][:D][:D][^]
BIG BOYS RULE!
You can download one at www.train-sim.com along with a Challenger and a FEF-3. They have tons more stuff, too!!!
Hmmm…Big Boy or Allegheny…hmmm…how about this…BOTH OF THEM SUCK LOL
Id take a DM&IR Yellowstone or a Clinchfield Challenger or a SP AC Series Cab Foreward anyday!!!
!!![:0][:0][:0][:0]!!!
MINE!!! (whatever “my rails or yours” means, lol)[;)]
Just admit it, your beat fair and square! Big Boys are flat land dwellers!!![^][^][^]
Fergus,
I have to say that where the BB’s ran was not flat. It just takes 100 miles of climb to get just as high as say 3 miles in Western North Carolina.
I have not heard a word on this thread about the Cascade engines until now. As a former driver I found the terrin between Redding CA and over towards Missoula Mt pretty formidable. Especially Syskiyou and the Blue Mountain range in eastern Oregon.
Dear HighIron
Forgive me, as the last dig was just that a dig, now that I am in the amongst professionals I’ll have to keep on track and be more circumspect. Your comment about the Cascade engines and I take it you meant those that worked the Allegheny and Appalachian ranges are not nearly as well documented. I have approximately 20+ books on North American Steam and the majority of them have pictures of the BB’s working Sherman Hill and yes I wish I could have been there to witness this exhibition of steam supremacy. As for the Allegheny’s, which numbered 60, the pictures found in most books are far and few between. As many have said different engines for different roles. All had a part in the History of Railroading. We should consider our selves lucky that we are able to dream the dream.
What about N&W A class 2-6-6-4? They do it all, up to 70 mph, I recall. And if you’re talking about efficiency, straight eletrics beat all of them hands down. Why do you think the VGN or the PRR of the CMStP&P went that route? What about the C&O T-1 and the PRR copies? They were almost as strong, and two less cylinders to boot! That might have been the way to go.
OK here we go on the N&W…yeah ok so they could do 70mph…but the N&W was a single track coal dragging railroad…how often did they see 70???
Fergus,
I have no problems with your reply. I enjoy whatever people have to offer on this wonderful thread. I admit to being very stobbern in support of the “Alley” However, I will say that I do not yet know very much about steam in the mountains regions beyond northern california and west of Missoula yet. However I am too reading books and learning for instance that the Cab forward is valuable in keeping the crew alive in the long tunnels.
I believe there is something to learn everyday. Ty for your insightful post.
LCandMRR,
You mentioned the C and O 2-10-4 engines. These monsters were specifically ordered by C and O to run 170 loads of coal in Ohio where the terrain is demanding. I think that these engines performed magnificently both directions with a little assistance here and there. Grades experienced in Ohio is nowhere near the long fuel starving grades of the west and or the brutal frame busting grades of the eastern mountain ranges.
The large engines of the Big Boys and Etcetra including electrics will always be able to break a Texas Type engine when the going gets hard.
I will take a shot at the 70 mile and hour figure by reminding you that Coal is not a “Piority” freight. All that is needed is slow and steady supply in never ending trains. 15 miles and hour is just well suited to this. Now a mile of Fruit from California needs high speed with power across the barren wastes of Wyoming to get to the market in good condition and the UP’s Big Boy fit the bill nicely.
Well said, Highiron. [^]
Dear HighIron
From what I have been able to gather is that some of the grades in ohio where .63%. My understandinding of grades tells me that this is not a big deal I wonder if this is a typo. I know that there was a grade in the Canadian Rockies that was 4% and that Selkirks (2-10-4) where used to move freight through this region.
Speaking of 2-10-4’s Broadway is soon to release a C&O 2-10-4! Time to save!!
I think the Big Boy is just a glorified Yellowstone with a better pilot truck! [:p] [;)] [X-)]
This topic is still alive?
I was trying to get the ball rolling again, as this was an intresting discusion. Nevermind. [:(]
Well the PRR had longer engines than the Big Boys.[;)]