I think we need something different then Favorite Loco topics, yes I started one a few months back, but I think we are all getting tired of them. So how about this, in your opinion what loco in the US and Canada only has been the most useful to railroading. It doesnt have to be your favorite but had the most impact on railroading and did its job the best. Real engineers I would love to hear your opinions, as well as from modelers and railfans. Now, you can only say one for each type of loco (steam, diesel, electric) you don’t have to say one for each but you can say no more then one. If you can’t make up your mind on diesels you can just say the series (Ex. Gp’s, SD’s, F’s, E’s, etc…) I will start it off in another post after this, these are just the rules.
I’m inclined to agree with most of the above! The 2-8-0 and GP38s were boody amazing, as were the GP7/9s, but for the most of all time…GP9. They’ve been around for 53 years, and there are plenty of them still working hard!
I think the 4-4-0 was the most useful steam locomotive. Through the 1800’s they pulled passenger and freight. Most if not all railroads had them and some lasted into the 1950’s. It’s hard to see now, but the railroad was a vital part of passenger travel and mail. Passenger fares and mail contracts were significant for the railroads
I’d have to say the GMD1, the GP7-GP9, GP38-2, SD40 series, and the F40PH. But of those 6 i would say the GP9, which had been used since 1955 and is still used today by CN and CPR, and my local railway the CEMR which utilizes them as their only power. Whether 567c powered or 645, those loco’s keep on goin like the Energizer Bunny.
It is probably easier to decide which were the worst and work up the list. I’d put the latest high horsepower mainline engines in that category. All they can do is haul vast tonnages on mainlines and I can’t see a shortline or the secondary market wanting one when they are depreciated.
I don’t know enough about diesels to offer an educated opinion, but my best guess would be the GP7-9, maybe the RS early ones, GP 38, possibly the current SD70-80 series…what do I know, though?
For steam, as soon as I read the question the Mike came to mind…they were like navels…everyone had them. They did dual use, and quite well, thanks very much. However, it would be somewhat of a travesty to not include the mighty Northern 4-8-4. Really, they were heavier and more modern Mikes with two more truck axles.
Electrical…way out of my depth, but the GG-1 surely gets a highly favoured position. There must be at least one other, perhaps the NYC example given earlier.
The rules you state look like they are slated for engineer opinions, rather than what the railroads thought were the most useful.
Engineers I have spoken with fairly extensively (all two of them) prefer power and comfort over what they may end up with. One of them loves the SD40’s his short line runs over the humble GP7 they also have, just because it has more power and is a bit more modern. The other likes the GP7 his railroad has because “it’s versatile and reliable”.
There were more GP7’s built in the USA and Canada than any other diesel, but the SD40 comes in at a close second in terms of numbers built. The railroads obviously felt that these particular models were the most useful for what the railroads needed to do. Historically, it would appear that items like crew comfort or engineer opinion were given short shrift. It was kind of a “like it or lump it” attitude.
I too think the GG-1 was a magnificent locomotive, but everything I have heard or read about crew comments appears to indicate that the cab was cramped, too small, and uncomfortable.
My favorite diesel is an F or E unit, but having ridden on one, I can say that getting up there is a bear, and you can’t see behind you as well as you can with a road switcher.
