I like the FEF’s. Particularly the FEF-3. The SP GS4 and ATSF 4-8-4 take a close second and third.[:)]
Yeah. Good Question. My is the sweetest lookin’ steamer ever built, the ATSF 2900 class. Espee GS-4 and UP FEF-3 rank 2nd and 3rd to me.
LV Wyoming all the way!
Hey you left out one beautiful hauling machine, the Great Northern S-2 with 80" drivers. There is one on display at Havre, Montana, that I looked over last spring while the Empire Builder was being serviced. Happy Railroading, Go Rocky !
Your forgetting Canadian Nationals 203 Northerns. I like the 6200 series with Elesco Feedwater heaters.
My favourite 4-8-4 is CPR 3100 & 3101.
I saw 3100 at a museum in Ottawa about 3 years ago, climbed through the cab.
The nicest 4-8-4 I’ve ever taken pictures of.
Gordon
Specifically the Timkin “Four Aces”. This was such a break through engine that it changed super steam with it’s arrival. The Timkin was tested by over 20 roads, I believe. The Timkin was eventually purchased by N.P. and became the only engine in Northern Pacific’s A-1Class. After purchase the Timkin was changed to the Northern Pacific’s 2626. It is a sad thing that of all the N.P. engines saved from the torch, the Timkin was not one of them.
Rut roh! [:p]Forgot anudder one![:0]
My Favorite, the Western Maryland Potomac (different from RF&P)
The 1400 class was arguably the pinnacle of the design, delivered to the WM after the 1st f-units!
I’ve got 1 PFM brass model, and wouldnt mind a dozen more![(-D]
I like UP’s FEF-3’s, although if I ever bought a 4-8-4, I’d get an FEF-2, because those were the one’s that UP used during the era that I model (early 1940’s).
Although the N&W J was a great machine, I prefer the NYC Niagara. She was a beautiful beast whether on a fast freight or at the head of a passenger. The last Niagara in service was 6015.
From the RRsof MadCty web site:
June 30, 1956. Last run of 6015 in passenger service, train no. 416, Indianapolis to Cincinnati on account of a diesel failure. Departed Indianapolis 34 minutes late, arrived Cincinnati 6 minutes late.
July 2, 1956. Returned to Indianapolis in freight service, train CC-3. Final run.
And another great steamer was laid to rest.
Lest we forget, The first purchaser of this wheel arrangement was the Northern Pacific, hense the name “Northern”. I also think this may be the wheel arrangement with the most names. I mean, I can understand the “Southern Boys” not liking the name “Northern” and calling their’s a “Dixie”. However, what’s up with all the others; Potomic, Greenbrier, Wyoming and Niagra?
I saw the G.N. Northern in Havre MT a couple of years ago and she is a “beaut”.
The oil suckin’, 80", Santa Fe 3751, is my favorite loco. Built in 1927, retired in 1957. When BLI releases their model I hope to buy one.
Here’s a link to “Comparisons of 4-8-4’s” http://www.sbrhs.org/484com.html
I’m sure they don’t list them all but it is good information about 4-8-4’s.
I can’t vote, considering my favorite is the H-10 class 4-8-4’s built for the TP&W. They were the smallest Northerns built for US service (barely larger than a USRA Mike), and were one of the cleanest engines on the rails in the 1940s.
Here’s a link to a good shot of them:
What about the Rio Grande’s 4-8-4s? the 1700s and the 1800s?
I prefer the 1700s, they were sweet running and very fine looking machines.
I didn’t vote, because my favorite was not an option.
Yeah. “Other” should have been one of the options.
Ok guys, I’m sorry. I added other. I guess I just forgot.
Mine is the greatest of them all!
the GDRMCo M-5 with 80" drivers and just about everthing else that was able to make a steam engine better was fitted to all of the 100 of them and they had elephant ear smoke deflectors and centipede articulated tenders. they ran on a mix of fuel and oil.
SP 4449 is my favorite!! We lived in Portland, OR for a time in the early 1980’s and I got a tour of its’ cab when it was still painted in the AFT scheme–it was @ a transportation expo and also got a tour of a BN wide vision caboose. Quite a thrill for a kid. Best Field Trip I ever had in school!!! The Coast Guard’s simulated rescue in the Willamette River with a helicopter was pretty neat too.
Hey Emory![:)] Did you know SP4449 is painted in AFT scheme again after 911? You can go see your beauty again![:D][:D][;)]
- Reading T-1.
- Norfolk and Western J.