Pumps on the smoke box front

[markpierce]

I thought you were saying my post was a sacrilege

No way. My point, agreeing with you, is that the pumps “belong” on the side of the locomotive. (It’s not the first time hyperbole has gotten me into “trouble.”) Actually, I really don’t mind when the model follows the specific prototype with pumps and such on the front. I like them for their brutishness but not their esthetic value.

And, yeah, the MM-3 Mallet, with the pumps on the side, is one of my favorites.

Mark

[UncBob]

Well, it’s certainly a case of different strokes for different folks. Myself, a big, hulking articulated like a Rio Grande L-131 2-8-8-2 or L-105 4-6-6-4, or a Missabe M-3/4 2-8-8-4 would look kind of ‘sissified’ without 'em.

Frankly, it’s part of the reason I snicker everytime I see a photo of a Big Boy. Say what? Leave something behind in the shop, there, fellows?

No thanks, give me an articulated with the guts up front.

Tom

What has the position of the pumps have to do with guts ?

The 2-6-6-4 the 2-8-8-2 of NW don’t have Guts because the pumps aren’t on the front ?

[twhite]

Well, it’s certainly a case of different strokes for different folks. Myself, a big, hulking articulated like a Rio Grande L-131 2-8-8-2 or L-105 4-6-6-4, or a Missabe M-3/4 2-8-8-4 would look kind of ‘sissified’ without 'em.

Frankly, it’s part of the reason I snicker everytime I see a photo of a Big Boy. Say what? Leave something behind in the shop, there, fellows?

No thanks, give me an articulated with the guts up front.

Tom

What has the position of the pumps have to do with guts ?

The 2-6-6-4 the 2-8-8-2 of NW don’t have Guts because the pumps aren’t on the front ?

I’m talking about “Guts” as esthetic (i.e. Visual) not “Guts” as horsepower.

Tom

[Anonymous]

Coming from a country, where steam locos had a fairly uniform look due to standardization, I am very much in favor of different “looks” and styles". Other than those USRA locos (and also the PRR steamers), each one had a very distinct look to me. Articulateds, cab-forwards, or those “flying” pumps in front of the smoke box - for me the epitome of US steam!

[UncBob]

Well, it’s certainly a case of different strokes for different folks. Myself, a big, hulking articulated like a Rio Grande L-131 2-8-8-2 or L-105 4-6-6-4, or a Missabe M-3/4 2-8-8-4 would look kind of ‘sissified’ without 'em.

Frankly, it’s part of the reason I snicker everytime I see a photo of a Big Boy. Say what? Leave something behind in the shop, there, fellows?

No thanks, give me an articulated with the guts up front.

Tom

What has the position of the pumps have to do with guts ?

The 2-6-6-4 the 2-8-8-2 of NW don’t have Guts because the pumps aren’t on the front ?

I’m talking about “Guts” as esthetic (i.e. Visual) not “Guts” as horsepower.

Tom

Yeah well to me the GUTs of an engine is its firebox and boiler not Air Pumps

[Southwest_Chief]

Take your pick of these two beauties (I apologize for the photo quality as it was taken with my cell-phone):

They are two classic D&RGW narrow gauge prototypes. K-36 #489 built by Baldwin on the left and K-28 #473 built by Alco on the right. Granted they are models so may be missing a detail here or there, but you get the overall picture.

I never really liked the pump on the front of K-28s. But the more I see it, the more I like it. Gives the loco a different personality.

[twhite]

Well, it’s certainly a case of different strokes for different folks. Myself, a big, hulking articulated like a Rio Grande L-131 2-8-8-2 or L-105 4-6-6-4, or a Missabe M-3/4 2-8-8-4 would look kind of ‘sissified’ without 'em.

Frankly, it’s part of the reason I snicker everytime I see a photo of a Big Boy. Say what? Leave something behind in the shop, there, fellows?

No thanks, give me an articulated with the guts up front.

Tom

What has the position of the pumps have to do with guts ?

The 2-6-6-4 the 2-8-8-2 of NW don’t have Guts because the pumps aren’t on the front ?

I’m talking about “Guts” as esthetic (i.e. Visual) not “Guts” as horsepower.

Tom

Yeah well to me the GUTs of an engine is its firebox and boiler not Air Pumps

You really need to get out, more, LOL!

Tom [:D]

[UncBob]

Well, it’s certainly a case of different strokes for different folks. Myself, a big, hulking articulated like a Rio Grande L-131 2-8-8-2 or L-105 4-6-6-4, or a Missabe M-3/4 2-8-8-4 would look kind of ‘sissified’ without 'em.

Frankly, it’s part of the reason I snicker everytime I see a photo of a Big Boy. Say what? Leave something behind in the shop, there, fellows?

No thanks, give me an articulated with the guts up front.

Tom

What has the position of the pumps have to do with guts ?

The 2-6-6-4 the 2-8-8-2 of NW don’t have Guts because the pumps aren’t on the front ?

I’m talking about “Guts” as esthetic (i.e. Visual) not “Guts” as horsepower.

Tom

Yeah well to me the GUTs of an engine is its firebox and boiler not Air Pumps

You really need to get out, more, LOL!

Tom

That what you say when you can’t contradict the logic

[selector]

Bob, you seem to be missing a lot in the responses you have been getting. You have misunderstood two different personalities with two different writing styles, and you seem to feel that each of them is being rude or condescending. In turn, you have been combative. So, I think I will lock this thread since the topic has been addressed with disparate views, and is now a tit-for-tat show.

-Crandell

[locked]