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I was out and about this morning, and snapped a few pictures next to an old steam train we have preserved in our town:
This particular locomotive was manufactured in 1900, but production of steam locomotives in the United States continued until about 1950. Some steam engines were able to attain speeds of over 100 mph. By the 1980's, steam power locomotives were almost completely gone from commercial service, replaced by diesel electric engines. We called them streamliners.
Both vehicles were built for hauling, but on a different scale. When my truck was brand new in 1952, there were steam locomotives, similar to the one pictured, just beginning their years of service. Diesel electric engines started to make their appearance in the 1930's, but it was steam power that tamed the West and built our country. (Our friend,Henry Ford, probably had something to do with it too).
Both vehicles were built for hauling, but on a different scale. When my truck was brand new in 1952, there were steam locomotives, similar to the one pictured, just beginning their years of service. Diesel electric engines started to make their appearance in the 1930's, but it was steam power that tamed the West and built our country. (Henry Ford probably had something to do with it too).
Jim
The last US steam engine built for domestic service was the N&W Js, last delivered in 1950, one of which is preserved. And the late steam streamliners could do well over 100 mph. The T1's are known to be observed well over 120mph in regular routine service, with timetable/annecdotal evidence that they broke 130 in plain service. And a slip test on a timken rod J3a noted wheel slip speeds of approximately 160mph, without damage to either the locomotive or the track. Although the forces in the rods and balancing compared to regular operation and the solid concrete roadbed probably contributed to that, it's still mighty impressive at a time when the fastest car in the world was the auburn 851 at a mighty 100mph flat.
It is pretty pleasing to me to know that when these trucks were new, all the great steam behemoths were happily roaming around in active service. The PRR T's, Q's, J's, UP's articulated fleet, NYC hudsons and niagras etc. Shame they're all gone now apart from the UP's giants.
With any luck the T1 trust will succeeed, and we'll have 5550 thundering down the line eventually. Maybe a Dreyfuss J3a too, who knows.
I suppose we're getting off "track" with the discussion turning to trains but I thought I'd jump in with this. Last month I went with a friend, a train fanatic, to Utah for the celebration of the meeting of the east and west.
"Big Boy" made a stop in Wisconsin on its Mid-West tour. It's the largest steam engine ever built and the only one of its kind still operational. I wanted to get a picture with my truck in the frame, but couldn't manage it. Here are a few pics I was able to get:
This engine was built in 1941 just before Pearl Harbor. It weighs more than a million pounds and has traveled more than a million miles during its years of service. It was retired in 1959 but was recently restored to take part in the ceremonies marking the 150th anniversary of the competition of the Trans Continental Railroad. I think Bob posted a brief video of this engine taken when he was out to Utah earlier this year for the big celebration.
Jim, when did it stop in Milwaukee? Where? I traveled, I think, 1200 miles to see it. I thought it was going to stop in Chicago, didn't see anything on the schedule for Milwaukee. I wish I had known I would have brought the F-2 and we could have tried for a comvined photo shoot.
I saw Big Boy in Altoona. I was thinking it was going to be its only stop in WI, but now I see there will be a number of stops including one in the Milwaukee area. It's quite a thing to see! It looks to be about three times the size of the locomotive we have in Antigo. I would have liked to see Big Boy actually moving down the track, but it was parked when I arrived. Steam was still up in the boilers, however, and every once in awhile we heard the whistle. From the Milwaukee area, Big Boy is going to West Chicago. If you are interested in steam locomotives, Big Boy is a must see.
06-19-2019, 11:30 AM
with the discussion turning to trains but I thought I'd jump in with this. Last month I went with a friend, a train fanatic, to Utah for the celebration of the meeting of the east and west.
