Besides the ungodly price of restoration and maintenance it takes to maintain a big boy, what other reasons are there for not having one in operation? I remember hearing something about them being to large for the curves, but wasn't N&W 1218 bigger than the big boys? And if NS could afford to operate a Allegheny surely UP could afford a big boy? (On top of 3985 & 844)
Big Boy
- Thread starter Dippo
- Start date
Railroadforums.com is a free online Railroad Discussion Forum and Railroad Photo Gallery for railroaders, railfans, model railroaders and anyone else who is interested in railroads. We cover a wide variety of topics, including freight trains, passenger and commuter railroads, rail news and information, tourist railroads, railway museums and railroad history.
Affiliate Disclosure: We may receive a commision from some of the links and ads shown on this website (Learn More Here)
Pat
Photo Critiques Welcome
A Big Boy wouldn't do anything for U.P. that a smaller locomotive can't do. Railfans and historians would appreciate it but the significance would be lost on shippers and the public in general.
The Big Boy is a 4-8-8-4 and a bit longer than the 2-6-6-4 N&W 1218. How much more difficult a Big Boy would be to handle than the 3985 someone familiar with the U.P. would have to answer. The 844 is probably all the locomotive size wise U.P. needs to accomplish it's P.R. and good will mission.
The Big Boy is a 4-8-8-4 and a bit longer than the 2-6-6-4 N&W 1218. How much more difficult a Big Boy would be to handle than the 3985 someone familiar with the U.P. would have to answer. The 844 is probably all the locomotive size wise U.P. needs to accomplish it's P.R. and good will mission.
RailroadForums.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com
|
RailroadBookstore.com - An online railroad bookstore featuring a curated selection of new and used railroad books. Railroad pictorials, railroad history, steam locomotives, passenger trains, modern railroading. Hundreds of titles available, most at discount prices! We also have a video and children's book section. ModelRailroadBookstore.com - An online model railroad bookstore featuring a curated selection of new and used books. Layout design, track plans, scenery and structure building, wiring, DCC, Tinplate, Toy Trains, Price Guides and more. |
Affiliate Disclosure: We may receive a commision from some of the links and ads shown on this website (Learn More Here)