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Talk about BIG engines ...

Posted: Fri Nov 14, 2014 5:06 am
by Shamough
I just found this little toy hiding in: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2-8-8-8-4:

Image

Hans

Re: Talk about BIG engines ...

Posted: Fri Nov 14, 2014 6:26 am
by 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

Re: Talk about BIG engines ...

Posted: Fri Nov 14, 2014 3:10 pm
by Gumboots
Yup. The firebox and boiler weren't up to the job, so it was basically useless.

Re: Talk about BIG engines ...

Posted: Fri Nov 14, 2014 3:17 pm
by 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..

Re: Talk about BIG engines ...

Posted: Fri Nov 14, 2014 6:56 pm
by 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.

Re: Talk about BIG engines ...

Posted: Fri Nov 21, 2014 10:01 pm
by AdmiralHalsey
I so want someone to make these for the game if just for fun.

Re: Talk about BIG engines ...

Posted: Fri Nov 21, 2014 10:45 pm
by Shamough
Rather have a nice COG engine and track ... want to build a nice city atop K2 ::!**!


Hans

Re: Talk about BIG engines ...

Posted: Thu Dec 04, 2014 11:34 am
by 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. :salute: {,0,}

Re: Talk about BIG engines ...

Posted: Sun Dec 21, 2014 10:20 am
by Lone Cat
AdmiralHalsey wrote: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.

Re: Talk about BIG engines ...

Posted: Mon Dec 22, 2014 8:21 pm
by AdmiralHalsey
Lone Cat wrote:
AdmiralHalsey wrote: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.