Though I’m the one that started this topic, it’s like someone asking me which one hundred dollar bill I like the most when my answer would be all of them!.
I guess I’d have to say the Union Pacific Big Boy above all others.
SP 4449, or UP 3985. Just because I’ve seen them in action so many times.
Ditto on the hundred dollar bill thing. If I had to pick only one, though, it’d be the K-36 Mike’s on the former D&RGW Narrow Gauge Lines. Specifically, #487 holds a special place in my heart as the “Little Engine that Could” for the 2003 season. I think the fact that the C&TS is running today can be attributed to the 487, and the heroic efforts everybody down in Chama performed in 2003. Great job guys! Can’t wait for the 2005 season!
Chris
Denver, CO
I gotta say U.P. Big Boy
Sorry folks.I got to go with the lady from roanoke the 611-J.when they made her they broke the mold.
stay safe
Joe
I’d say the Union Pacific 3985.
I like my engines small and unique…
So I’ll toss in the ring one of the most unique, Bear Harbor #1, Gypsy![:D]
A close close 2nd is Ward Kimball’s 3foot guage ex-Hawiann cane loco, Chloe.
For my 2 cents, I’ll say the SP 4449 and UP 844.
See. Now we’re back to that favorite one hundred dollar bill thing I was talking about… I’m a Norfolk & Western J class lover too. Sorry UP Big Boy.
Well, if we ignore the portrait of Franklin, I’d say the engine that attracts my portrait of Madison would have to be Millholland’s 4-4-0 Hiawatha which he built for the P&R.
the SP’s GS-3 Series, the GS-4, even though visually is the same as the GS-3, except the cab is enclosed, loses it’s appeal with that closed in cab. I love the open cabs.
GN P-2 Mountains rugged handsome steam power at their finest.
I just wanted to say ‘Hi’ and check out the responses.[yeah]
Happy Railroading!
–Ed
NKP #765, Lima built Berkshire, steamdom’s zenith. Randy Staller
Southern Pacific GS4 #4449.I have probably ridden more miles behind this engine than all other steam engines combined.
Boston & Maine’s B-15 Moguls…the hieght of simplicity and ruggedness, in the fight till even after diesels arrived.
K-8 Consolidations…work horse till the end.
And last, but not least…the P-3,4 Pacifics…nothing more elegent pulling a pullman green or marroon heavy wieght train.
3rd vote for the n & w j class, and the a class as well. a 4- 8- 4 with 70 inch drivers, 80,000 tractive effort and then still able to achieve 100 plus mph seems to break some of the rules. great engines and like joe said, they broke the mold with that one
Royal Hudson 2860.
She should be up and steaming again within a few years.
I’ll cast my vote for a classic 4-8-4: C&O 614.
I have to go with the lesser known canadian hudsons the k-5’s of the CNR.The 5700’s were something to behold.What would make them even better is if 5703 gets rebuilt and brought back under steam. Rob