This has nothing to do with your own personal favorite, but rather the one that you feel is the most popular over all in the USA among model railroaders. I was going to create a poll, but thought I’d try it this way first…
Have fun.
Tracklayer
Currently in production: Spectrum 2-10-2
Out of production: Rivarossi Hiawatha 4-4-2!![:D]
Hard to say. There are so many different types that are used for different jobs.
The narrow guage people would likely pick a geared loco, like the shay. The old time modelers will lean towards a 4-4-0 or a 2-6-0 probably. The superpower guy’s will probably go for an articulated like a Big Boy or Challenger. Passenger haulers will go with various streamliners.
If it were up to me, I’d have to go with something that is more general purpose. A Mikado or a Connie could cover a lot of bases, but the Northern/Niagra was a popular wheel arrangement also.
The same is true of the question “What brand is best”.
It’s kind of like the question “What brand of car is best” or “Which DCC system is best”. The answer is “that depends”.
It’s a tough question.
I think that the question may be to broad in it’s scope.
A better question might be “What’s the best lodding loco” or “What’s the best mallet” or something.
Hard to say because we have so little in HO for models…
Challenger, Big Boy, YAWN.
Mark,
Are you talking of the prototypes, or of the model locomotives? In either case, my guess would be:
Model: F7
Prototype: F7
Tom
I think he’s talking steam.
Doh! It’s in the title, Tom! [
] Sorry about that, Mark.
In that case, it seems that the one that most everyone gets REALLY excited about is the 4-8-8-4 UP “Big Boy”.
Tom
in general terms, I would call the Big Boy the most popular.
non-big boy…
NYC J3a 4-6-4
Let’s just call it a “catch 22” type question… In the end the majority will rule.
Tracklayer