This could get REALLY interesting!
-Kent Loudon
One of the finest places was St. Louis Union Station in the years immediately after WWII. The traffic was heavy; many trains had multiple sections. There was many movements in and out of the station due to the fact that many of the roads serviced their power away from the station area. What could be more exciting than watching a large, muiltidrivered engine picking its way through all those double slip switches!!. On top of that, there were two overhead bridges on the east and west approaches to the double wye legs and other junctions within blocks of the station.
THAT WAS RAILROADING!!!
Not sure about the '‘prime years’ of steam, but if the discussion were limited to today, it would for me without doubt be the Hexi Corridor of Gansu province in northwest China. Steam hauls all the output of the Junchuan nickel mines, as well as servicing the smelters and slag dumps. Spectacular, particularly at night.
My home town on Long Island in 1947 waiting for the old steamer putting soot on my face with a wave from the engineer. I remember it as if were yesterday and can still smell the smoke. Those were the days!!
Bob Hendel
Just a note to all those voting for Horseshoe Curve: Remember, there are no grade crossings in that area. Whistle use is very limited. In my opinion, bells and whistles are half the fun!
Fanwood Station in New Jersey: Reading pacifics, CNJ Camelbacks, Mikes and Pacifics, even B&O pacifics. When I got a chance, Tamaqua PA overlooking the Reading roundhouse from the bluffs. Lots of variety but oh the malletts.
Yea as odd as it sounds Ive heard ALOT of praise about the Chinese RR’s steam locos. Some realy cool pics from Trains Mag. and also seen some slides from a gentleman who traveled there…WOW!! They have NEW locos less then 2 years old! Maybe they know something that we dont!
HaHa!
Had you ever been there before? And another nice place is Jingpeng station, northeast China.
Tehachapee Loup and Cajon Pass both would have been great!
Willy
The steam era was before my time BUT, if I had a choice it would be anywhere in Kansas City [8D].
Growing up in and around Tehachapi, I would most definitely have enjoyed steam over the Tehachapi’s and around the Loop.
Another place that would have been fun to watch would be the Cajon Pass. All that mighty power struggling it’s way to the top would have been exciting to watch.
All great choices, but the Buffalo (NY) area in the 1920’s must have been spectacular. There was the Central, the LVRR, the DL&W, the TH&B, et. al…in an era that never knew the term Rust Belt.
Harmon, NY; Cedar Hill, CT;Bluefield, WV; Hinton, WV and Wayneport, NY - None of these made the survey list, either!
work safe
This could get REALLY interesting!
-Kent Loudon
One of the finest places was St. Louis Union Station in the years immediately after WWII. The traffic was heavy; many trains had multiple sections. There was many movements in and out of the station due to the fact that many of the roads serviced their power away from the station area. What could be more exciting than watching a large, muiltidrivered engine picking its way through all those double slip switches!!. On top of that, there were two overhead bridges on the east and west approaches to the double wye legs and other junctions within blocks of the station.
THAT WAS RAILROADING!!!
Not sure about the '‘prime years’ of steam, but if the discussion were limited to today, it would for me without doubt be the Hexi Corridor of Gansu province in northwest China. Steam hauls all the output of the Junchuan nickel mines, as well as servicing the smelters and slag dumps. Spectacular, particularly at night.
My home town on Long Island in 1947 waiting for the old steamer putting soot on my face with a wave from the engineer. I remember it as if were yesterday and can still smell the smoke. Those were the days!!
Bob Hendel
Just a note to all those voting for Horseshoe Curve: Remember, there are no grade crossings in that area. Whistle use is very limited. In my opinion, bells and whistles are half the fun!
Fanwood Station in New Jersey: Reading pacifics, CNJ Camelbacks, Mikes and Pacifics, even B&O pacifics. When I got a chance, Tamaqua PA overlooking the Reading roundhouse from the bluffs. Lots of variety but oh the malletts.
Yea as odd as it sounds Ive heard ALOT of praise about the Chinese RR’s steam locos. Some realy cool pics from Trains Mag. and also seen some slides from a gentleman who traveled there…WOW!! They have NEW locos less then 2 years old! Maybe they know something that we dont!