avsdT:willett@avsdS.UUCP (02/16/84)
I was amazed while watching the National Geographic special when they were talking of the (Union Pacific?) BIG BOY, a 4-8-8-4 articulated steam locomotive with 4 steam pistons, that could pull a string of cars over five (5!) miles long! I am kind of familiar with this monstrosity of mega power, but only in pictures... Anybody have knowledge of this loco that could post it, I'm sure I am not the only one amazed by the performance, mass and engineering of this great part of railroading acheivement..... Michael Willett Ampex Corporation Redwood City, Ca.
burton@fortune.UUCP (02/21/84)
#R:avsdT:-69100:fortune:8900001:000:482
fortune!burton Feb 21 11:18:00 1984
Steamtown has a non-working model. I posed my wife next to the driving wheels,
and they're both about the same height. A truly massive engine.
I believe Steamtown is relocating. they used to be in Bellows Falls, Vermont.
Nice time to visit is the fall, as the foliage turns.
Philip Burton 101 Twin Dolphin Drive
Fortune Systems Redwood City, CA 94065 (415) 595-8444 x 526
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{allegra decvax!decwrl!amd70 cbosgd harpo hpda ihnp4 sri-unix}!fortune!burtonted@teldata.UUCP (Ted Becker) (02/22/84)
******* Here is some info on the Big Boy from the Model Railroader Locomotive Cyclopedia. Built by ALCO in 1941 & 1944 25 were built all for the Union Pacific Weight 772,000 lb. 68" drivers Tractive Effort 135,375 lb. Pressure 300psi 23 3/4 x 32 cylinders The Big Boy was capable of speeds up to 80 mph but developed best power at 30mph. All of the locomotives that were bigger or heavier than the Big Boy were coal or ore haulers and lacked the glamor of the high speed freight that the Big Boy pulled. Also the UP has always put out more PR. I think the 5 mile train was an error or an exageration. A train that long would consist of 400 to 600 cars and trains that long are just not possible. A 100 to 150 car train is a fairly long train.
chaltas@uiuccsb.UUCP (02/23/84)
#R:avsdT:-69100:uiuccsb:11100006:000:644 uiuccsb!chaltas Feb 22 13:39:00 1984 Steamtown is moving to Pensylvania (Scranton?) at present. As far as I know operations in Vermont have ceased. They ran a "farewell" fantrip a while ago over the old Rutland. I doubt that a Big-Boy could pull a 5-mile train in the real world of a working railroad. Perhaps on a level tangent, with a train of empties. I'm fairly certain this was never actually tried. The 5-mile figure was probably derived from the engine's rated horsepower and tractive effort. Although quite large, the Beyer-Garrets (sp.?) were actually larger in some respects. I think actual rated horsepower is somewhere in the 3k to 4k range. George Chaltas
stevel@haddock.UUCP (02/23/84)
#R:avsdT:-69100:haddock:15300009:000:470
haddock!stevel Feb 22 12:47:00 1984
Steam Town has a Big Boy. It has run but I don't know it's
current status. Steam Town is in the process of moving to
Scanton PA and should be open for buisness sometime late this
spring.
If anybody knows for sure when it's opening please let me know.
Steve Ludlum, decvax!yale-co!ima!stevel, {ucbvax|ihnp4}!cbosgd!ima!stevel
decwrl!amd70!ima!stevel, {uscvax|ucla-vax|vortex}!ism780!stevel
Interactive Systems, 7th floor, 441 Stuart st, Boston, MA 02116; 617-247-1155res@ihuxn.UUCP (Rich Strebendt) (02/26/84)
If you are ever in the St. Louis area, stop off at the National Museum of Transport (or something close to this) in Kirkwood, MO. They have one of these monsters on display there. There are undoubtedly others on display on or near the UP's territory, but I am not familiar with them. Rich Strebendt ...!ihnp4!ihuxn!res
chaltas@uiuccsb.UUCP (03/04/84)
#R:avsdT:-69100:uiuccsb:11100008:000:402 uiuccsb!chaltas Mar 2 09:48:00 1984 trains of 500 cars are indeed possible (besides on N-scale model railroads) The Norfolk and Western tried this as an experiment a while back (early seventies?) with coal trains. The trains used mid-train robot helper units. Apparently it was not a great success, as they certainly don't do this any more. For more information see (of all places) the Guiness Book of World Records. George Chaltas