Last of the Giants

[Rob52240]

I thought this was very interesting.  I was born well after the change to diesel and had no idea that the old steam locomotives were as powerful, and sometime more powerful than what we're producing today.

Union Pacific "Big Boy"  the largest steam locomotives ever produced
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pi7Jac3htts&feature=youtu.be&hd=1&t=12m22s

[clerick]

I thought this was very interesting.  I was born well after the change to diesel and had no idea that the old steam locomotives were as powerful, and sometime more powerful than what we're producing today.

Union Pacific "Big Boy"  the largest steam locomotives ever produced

[img]

These are some impressive machines, along with their smaller cousins the Challangers. It's impressive to see a million pound machine up close.

[lyric1]

That is one big train. 

[RTHolmes]

That is one big loco.  

fixed


edit: thinking about it, that may be a UK-only correction

[Skuzzy]

fixed


edit: thinking about it, that may be a UK-only correction

Nope, you are mostly correct.  'Train' is used as generic term to include all the cars, including the locomotive and caboose, as a single unit.

Technically, the usage of 'train' is appropriate as there is a locomotive and a coal car.  Some would argue a train cannot be a train without a caboose as well.

At least, that is how it is used in the U.S.

That is one huge locomotive though.

[eagl]

That's not a train and certainly not a locomotive.  It's a "choo choo".  Just ask my niece, who appears to be an expert on such things.

[RTHolmes]

those Big Boys are total beasts, are there any still running?

[Skuzzy]

That's not a train and certainly not a locomotive.  It's a "choo choo".  Just ask my niece, who appears to be an expert on such things.

LOL!  Touche'

[clerick]

those Big Boys are total beasts, are there any still running?

I believe that there are 8 left in existence, none of which are running IIRC.  There are however a few of the Challangers and Yellowstones running I believe.  They were beasts too.  I have had the privilege of seeing some of these Loco's in action here in Minnesota and they are impressive to say the least.

[Shuffler]

We have several locomotives in the area but none that size that I know of. That is one long loco.

[Rob52240]

Well I feel like an idiot for not calling the choo-choo it's proper name.

[MiloMorai]

There are no operable Big Boys and no plans to return any to running condition.

4004: Holliday Park, Cheyenne, Wyoming
4005: Forney Transportation Museum, Denver, Colorado
4006: Museum of Transportation, St. Louis, Missouri
4012: Steamtown National Historic Site, Scranton, Pennsylvania
4014: Railway and Locomotive Historical Society, Southern California Chapter, Fairplex, Pomona, California 3
4017: National Railroad Museum, Green Bay, Wisconsin
4018: Museum of the American Railroad, Dallas, Texas
4023: Kenefick Park, Omaha, Nebraska

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Union_Pacific_Big_Boy

More powerful and slightly less weight were the 2-6-6-6 Alleghenys.

The Green Bay museum is worth the visit, if you can.

[lyric1]

Nope, you are mostly correct.  'Train' is used as generic term to include all the cars, including the locomotive and caboose, as a single unit.

Technically, the usage of 'train' is appropriate as there is a locomotive and a coal car.  Some would argue a train cannot be a train without a caboose as well.

At least, that is how it is used in the U.S.

That is one huge locomotive though.

I guess I could lie & say I was referring to the Youtube link. 

[SIK1]

I've never actually seen a Big Boy, and can only imagine how impressive it was rolling down the tracks.

I have seen this run down the tracks a couple of times.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southern_Pacific_4449

If you're ever in Sacramento the Railroad museum is worth a visit.
http://www.csrmf.org/

Skuzzy, I don't know how it is in Texas, but here in the west they haven't used the caboose in twenty years or more.

I may not be old enough to have seen steam locomotives but I do remember cabooses. When I was a kid I thought that would be the best job in the world. Getting to travel all over the country looking out the windows of the caboose with not a care in the world. 
 

[Rob52240]

Anyone else think it was cool when The Boys on Top Gear (real) raced a steam choo-choo against a Vincent Black Shadow and a 1946 Jaguar?

http://www.topgear.com/uk/videos/train-race-part-1