Talk about BIG engines ...

[Shamough]

I just found this little toy hiding in: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2-8-8-8-4:



Hans

[Hawk]

I see they only made one of these, and I can see why.

The XA was unable to sustain a speed greater than five miles an hour

[Gumboots]

Yup. The firebox and boiler weren't up to the job, so it was basically useless.

[Shamough]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2-8-8-8-2

Baldwin built the only three examples of the type for the Erie Railroad between 1914 and 1916. It could pull 650 freight cars..

[Gumboots]

Same problem. Ran out of steam very quickly. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Triplex_%28locomotive%29

Since only half of the exhaust steam exited through the smokebox, firebox draft (and thus boiler heating) was poor. Although the boiler was large (in line with contemporary two-cylinder and four-cylinder practice), six large cylinders demanded more steam than even such a boiler could supply.

With all six cylinders operating at their full pressure (which could not be sustained for very long)...

I remember reading up on these and similar things back when I was curious about what had been built in the way of exceptional locomotives. These weren't really exceptional in terms of performance, only in sheer size and number of drivers. The later N&W engines could match them for all-out tractive effort, but were actually useful at speed over a distance too.

[AdmiralHalsey]

I so want someone to make these for the game if just for fun.

[Shamough]

Rather have a nice COG engine and track ... want to build a nice city atop K2


Hans

[RayofSunshine]

Although the engine was not suitable for satisfactory opertion, I am "amazed" at the power capability of pullilng 650 cars. With that in mind, the terrain would have to be relatively flat. Now days I believe the authorized length of trains is 180 cars. Hence, if such a number of cars had been hauled by this engine, it might have been more capable of sustaining a better operation. Overall, it is a different configuration from normal, and manufacturers were always looking for a more profitable engine.

[Lone Cat]

I so want someone to make these for the game if just for fun.

It's gonna be a BIG TIME mountain engine if this thing goes to the real game

too bad the early mallets were excluded from the game. especially the VERY first one built by Anatole Mallet himself.

[AdmiralHalsey]

I so want someone to make these for the game if just for fun.

It's gonna be a BIG TIME mountain engine if this thing goes to the real game

too bad the early mallets were excluded from the game. especially the VERY first one built by Anatole Mallet himself.

Yeah a Mallet to fill the gap between the Shay and the Challenger and Big Boy would've been nice. That period in between them really lacks a decent speed loco that can haul stuff easily up steep grades.