What is your overall favorite wheel arrangment? That is to say, what group has the highest number of tight locomotives? To me this is a tough decision! But I think Northerns win. Because they include beast like the SP GS-4, ATSF 3751 and 2900 classes, NP A class, C&O Greenbrier, and UP FEF-2 and 3.
The second baddest group is the Yellowstones. Then the Challengers.
Articulated:
-Mallet
-Cab-Forward (4-8-8-2)
-Big-Boys and Challengers
If this option is not allowed, I would vote for Santa Fe’s (2-10-2)
I personally like Decapods. Have a Russian (WM) on my layout, and an I-1 (PRR) on MSTS
I still think nothing beats the Big Boy, but…
-Big Boys
-Northerns
-Challengers
-Union Pacifics (4-12-2)
-Berkshires
-Mountains
Definitely the articulateds on the Great Northern and Northern Pacific, except for the Challenger. I didn’t like that one. The GN R-2 Class 2-8-8-2, and the NP “Yellowstone” 2-8-8-4 are my personal favorites. Speed and make-up are nice, but you can’t argue with the raw power of a black beast!
I like the smaller, “branchline” type steam - 2-8-0’s and 4-6-0’s hauling mixed trains and doing any other jobs, inlcuding switching.
Andrew
I like Union Pacific’s “Union Pacific” class 4-12-2 steam locomotives! They are so cool!
[8]TrainFreak409[8]
For reasons i can’t quite explain, I like 4-8-0 twelve wheelers.
Streamlined Hudson or Pacific with shrouding like on the Night Train wine bottle, like the Southern streamlined ones.
That is the train hauling passengers at speed Chicago to NYC or DC south. I’ve seen Amtrak P42 hauling through a small Illinois town going west at 70+mph, would love to see one of those at speed with a string of passenger cars, then I will have lived!
Recently learned why steam never impressed me, most of what I’d seen was low speed in a park setting, Knotts Berry Farm, Disneyland, Tweetsie, it just did it’s thing, aside from smoke, cinders, but never saw one at speed. Until decent diesels, steam was king. Sorry I never saw working steam outside a captive setting. I’m more partial to electric.
The Northerns. Especially if they have Boxpok drivers, like some CB&Q and RI 4-8-4’s.
You’ve obviosly never seen UP 844 howling by at 60 mph with an excursion special or seen 4449 powering up Cajon Pass. [:)][:D][;)][8D]
Nawtherns, but here in the eastern mountins, we spells it a lil diffent, we spells it,
P-o-t-o-m-a-c [:D]
Mine’s other. Shays, Climax, Heisler, articulated Baldwin logging locos, and Prairie.
Texans. Some very good engines from several RR’s were represented by this class. Not a wimp amongst them.
I voted for the 2-8-0s…These was the true workhorse of steam…
I guess I like the Cab forwards, because of there design.
Noah
I used to really like NYC Niagaras, but nowadays I liked the Texans way more. They were the biggest that ran in these parts.
You need an “ALL OF THE ABOVE” choice – if it’s steam, I like it.
I have a soft spot for the Northerns. Have had the oportunity to see and chase the UP 844 and the ATSF 3781 and have ridden behind the Milwakee 261. Tiered of seeing articulateds (have chased the 3985 4 times this year).
Ch
I enjoyed seeing Milwakee 261 here in the QCA this summer, but I gotta vote for the “Mikes” - they just look “right” to me!
Besides, the RI had 165 of them !!!