Choose one of the following steamers:
a) RDG #2101 4-8-4
b) C&O #490 4-6-4
c) C&O #2716 2-8-4
d) C&O #614 4-8-4
e) N&W #611 4-8-4
f) N&W #1218 2-6-6-4
g) SR #4501 2-8-2
h) GN #2584 4-8-4
i) UP #5511 2-10-2
j) UP #4014 4-8-8-4 (it´s said to be in best condition of all surviving Big Boys)
k) T&P #610 2-10-4
l) SP #4460 4-8-4
m) SP #5021 4-10-2
n) SP #4294 4-8-8-2
The only real answer here is “all of the above”. Any time there is a chance for a major sized, mainline steam locomotive to be restored to service is a plus for everybody. Small locomotives are fine specimans of the art and are excellent for branch line tourist operations…an engine many can get thier heads around…but a mainline brute stretching them out at 65+ on any Class 1’s trackage is the best imagination catcher there is for railroad’s PR.
My one gripe is about those missing above. For one, NKP 759 at Steamtown. Love to see that double headed with 765, for instance. I really don’t know if 759 is good enough to be restored, but, don’t see any restricitons in the question. For that matter, there’s a Big Boy and a few others at Steamtown that may or may not be candidates. And what’s at PA State Railroad Museuem? Anything interesting? Gotta be more from the East represented on the list.
Why limit the choices? There’s a whole WORLD out there.
My personal choice would be Kiso Rintetsu #1 (Baldwin 0-4-2T)
Chuck
All of the above but especially SR 4501
My choice would be the Royal Hudson running out of the Vancouver BC area, this train used to be owned by the Province of BC.
For a number of years this train ran from North Vancouver to Squamish on the BCR trackage during the summer season. Needless to say it was a great tourist attraction. The operation was shut down by the present Liberal provincial government. Too bad, it is sadly missed.
No doubt…T&P 610!!! What a great sounding loco and watching those drivers at about 50 was awesome!!
Then ANY S-160, especially the 2628 with the Franklin poppet valve gear.
Roger Huber
I too will go with the T&P 610
Tom Cox
611
N & W 611. ABSOLUTELY! The most beautifull locomotive in the WORLD.
I understand that there are at least two Missabe Yellowstones in very good museum condition. That would be nice.
Also, there are several SP locos that ARE in running condition, however UP does not let them run on ex-SP rails because of what they call “Insurance” problems (yah, RIGHT! [banghead]). So in order for them to run anywhere near the State Railroad Museum in Sacramento, they have to be run on BNSF trackage (thank you, BNSF [bow]).
So, if UP would get their head out of their Nether Parts and start acting like a railroad that is interested in the history of the lines it gobbled up, it would be nice to see 4-8-8-2 #4294 back on the rails again. We here in Northern California do NOT have a “UP Heritage”. It’s a Johnny-Come-Lately and its’ Biggest Bull On The Block attitude has NOT endeared it to a lot of people out here.
Ease up, UP, and let us have our SP steam back again.
Tom [soapbox]
Hey, hey, hey, calm down. At least the UP and the CP have steam programs and put cash on the line to keep their steam operable.
My personal choice would also be N&W J1 4-8-4 611, but very close runner ups would be the K-4 now understoration and the green Southern 4-6-2 at the Smithsonian.
UP is very clear about their policy that they do not let foreign steam on their tracks. Agree with it or not, there is no mystery or excuses about insurance. That being said, UP has been very generous about letting 4449 ferry across their trackage to get to its next excursion.
So why don’t you cut them some slack? After all–as has already been pointed out–UP spends big dollars on their own steam program. They don’t have to do that you know …
2860 is back in running condition and has been out on two excursions (the most recent one in May 09). Rumour has it there will be a North Van-Squamish run this fall, but I haven’t heard any firm plans.
Of course, 3716 (2-8-0 that BC Rail used as a sub for 2860) is also still in service and can be found plying the rails of the Kettle Valley Steam Railway in Summerland, BC five days per week.
ANY steam loco would be fine with me! I love 'em all. And sadly, there are very few that I’ve had the opportunity to see in operation. But it would be truly awesome to see the Big Boy come back to life.
I’ve been waiting for years for the PRR K-4 to get finished in Altoona, PA, and the Strasburg RailRoad in Lancaster, PA owns an ex Reading 0-4-0 cammelback that I would love to see running as well. Oh, and the RR Museum of PA (next-door to Strasburg) has a bunch I’d like to see; like the M1b 4-8-2 mountain, the famous Lindberg engine, the John Bull replica, the V&T 2-6-0, etc., and I would love to see some of the really old loco’s in the B&O rr museum running; The bigger, the better, and the more primitive, the more interesting, I say… fix 'em and get 'em all running!!!
I would like to see PRR 1361. It would be awesome seeing a K4s in service.
Of the engines on that list,I would pick the SP 4460.I would love to see that unit doubleheading with 4449 over the Tehachapis!
As a kid I can still remember seeing the Daylight for the first time. The tracks were right behind our house. But having traveled around and being an old street rodder and custom car builder, the Mallard at 126 mph would be nice but the Royal Highlander in red as in the York museum is just plane out of this world. They have it sitting next to a 36 Chrysler as in art deco style. It has been made by Hornby for the England market only with a total of 1500 made. After a long search mine is #1480.
lee/sheridan
611 by far!
n sp cab forward
The UP #4014 4-8-8-4 as this loco totally fascinates me in terms of it’s awesome size and capabilities. it is testament to the brilliant technology at the time they were produced. It would certainly be the icing on the cake if I were able to stand alongside the track and see one of these majestic giants thunder past a full steam. I reckon that I would even consider making a trip from Downunder Australia to have the opportunity to witness it.