Well,not really…The RS1 was designed for branchline use as was EMDs NW5 but,it was a failure in sales since EMD built 13…Then EMD answered the call for a branchline engines with the BL1(1 built) and the ill fated BL2(58)…Also note the GP7 was designed by Dick Dilworth for branchline use.
Railroads already had their mind set on killing all steam as quickly as possible-even that 2-6-0 on the Hooten Hollow Branch was living on borrowed time since it was costly to operate and maintain.
Very informative replies, thanks! I wasn’t taking into consideration the operational benefits of multiple engines (ditch light use, crew needs, dead-end lines,etc.) Also that the diesels might be picking up a larger train after delivering a small one on a local or the basic ‘happenstance’ of two engines being hooked together for a particular train.
Gidday, here I go putting my foot in my mouth again. Diesels much heavier than steam locos??
On first read I thought 30 tons per axle ??, then thought again and took into consideration the fact that I was not thinking in terms of standard gauge, of US “short” tons, the generous loading gauge that that the US railroads have, plus , and here’s possibly another sweeping generalisation, that the majority of 1st generation US diesels were of the 4 axle Bo-Bo types but in terms of NZR 3’6’ "narrow gauge road engines of which the 1st really successful diesel was the Da class A1A-A1A ,(EMD G-12) with a similar axle weight of 14 Imperial tons to the Ka class 4-8-2 steam locos they where replacing.
My research on “google” has confirmed that “around 30 tons per axle” is correct, and while “weight on drivers” is not so easy to find, I would suggest that the steam locos had similar “driving axle” weights.
B&LE H1A-G 2-10-4 35.3 tons; SP AC-12 4-8-8-2 33.5 tons;
B&O EM-1 2-8-8-4 30 tons ; N&W Y6B 2-8-8-2 34 tons;
NKP S-2 2-8-4 27-5 tons; PRR K4 4-6-2 33 tons;
PRR L1 2-8-2 29.75 tons.
Perhaps I’ve chosen a n
Actually kind of the other way around, Modelers tend to think of the 6 axle diesels as the big heavyweights and the 4 axles for branch lines, but it’s the other wya around. The 6 axle units like the RSC’s and SD’s were developed to spread the axle loading more for lighter branch lines. Same basic weight as the 4 axle version, but spread over 12 wheels instead of 8.
–Randy
Those not interested in railroading would probably think the same at first glance. Six axles gives more of an appearance of a rugged diesel meant for long trains on the mainline and not for some secondary, weed-filled track.