Everyone has his favorite large steam locomotive. The Big Boy gets the most publicity, but the many others were comparable. NW YB6, the Yellowstones, and GN 2-8-8-4, NW "A", the Allegheny--all magnificent machines. It is interesting that the Big Boy was not tops in any category except length.
I wonder if this is the only video of an original allegheny in motion. If there is a full verison or complete video about this and other C&O steam enignes please let me know.
@trainmandan05 Although it has a better chance - almost all odds are against it still...Money,time, weight, railroads. Even though these engines are more heavy then the Big Boys..tracks remain the same..
Q2 ??? LOL!! PRR had nothing to be proud about. between the 1930's and the end of steam, they had as much as 25% of their engines down for shop repairs. The PRR's 2-10-0's were more useful overall. The Q2's were maintenance nightmares! N&W's Y6b is the most efficient and had the highest sustainable tractive effort of 170,000lbs at 6mph. Weight of loco isn't as important as factor of adhesion.
You know, I have visited that locomotive many many times at the museum during my life time, and every time I see it, i think two things - one I marvel at it, and mostly I think to myself, gee, it sure would be great, to see that loco run one more time - better yet, with me being pulled by it in a passenger car! It sure would but chills down my spine that's for sure.
Haha. I'm think the title for the most HP goes to the PPR Q2 duplex drive engine, generating 7,987IHP at 57mph. The title for the most T.E. goes to the Virginian's X-A 2-8-8-8-4 Triplex, generating 199,560lbs T.E. in simple mode. But both of these were failed concepts, so again, we have come full circle, lol.
Actually, by observing the methods used by the various RR's as they tested their locos you can get an accurate look at what loco was the most powerful. That would be the N&W Y6b's 170,000 TE in simple. Pretty impressive for a loco that weighs less than the Allegheny. Unlike the VGN 2-8-8-8-4's or 2-10-10-2's teh Y6b TE was sustainable.
I really like the Alleghenies, but "Big Boy" will always be my #1 favorite steam locomotive. The Alleghenies might have been taller and heavier than "Big Boy", but "Big Boy" had over 20,000 lbs more tractive effort than an Allegheny, was built to be able to reach 80 m.p.h., and the last "Big Boy" was retired from service in 1959, outliving the Alleghenies by about 3 years. As I said, I have a deep respect for the Alleghenies, but, in my opinion, "Big Boy" is "the king of steam".
Do you know if both the front and rear sets of drivers were articulated-or if only the front set were articulated? I've heard conflicting accounts of their design.
@razgrizaceblaze259 Actually the Alleghenies have more horse power and possibly even more tractive effort than the 4000 class BigBoy. The actual true weight of the Alleghenies was covered up by the Lima Locomotive Works because they were all built over weight. The C&O eventually found out and sued Lima. If the actual formula for tractive effort was calculated with the actual full weight of an H8, it is most likely that the H8 would out perform the BigBoy in most categories.
In regards to the tractive effort, I used what is listed for both locomotives on Wes Barris' website. If you want, I'll send you the link to it. In regards to the speed, I used both this video and many sources about 'Big Boy' for the info. In regards to the length of time they were in service, I (again) used this video and many sources about 'Big Boy' for the info. In regards to my opinion, well, it's my opinion. No one can say someone's opinion is wrong.
@razgrizaceblaze259 Never said you were wrong, just that I have heard and have seen so many statistics and statements that the allegheney had more tractive power than the big boy. Would like to see you info, thanks.
First, I wasn't trying to imply you said my opinion was wrong. I was just explaining where I got everything for each statement I made, and I guess I got carried away with the opinion part. Sorry. Anyway, I'll send you a message containing a link to the website where I got the info about tractive effort.
@razgrizaceblaze259 I often wonder why the person that wrote Big Boy on the firebox of the 4000 never came forword and said he did it, or why someone that knows doesn't say it if the person isn't with us anymore.
But will all do respect, Any Giant steam is an awesome site and machine, and the respect goes to those who designed and those who built them.
I completely agree. I don't like saying that one locomotive was 'better' than another, but I will say things like one locomotive was faster, heavier, stronger, operated longer, etc. than another. I love many of the giant steam locomotives, like the UP 4-8-8-4s, DM&IR 2-8-8-4s, Southern 2-8-8-2s, UP 4-6-6-4s, C&O 2-6-6-6s, etc. However, I will always have one steam locomotive I love more than any other, and that's Big Boy, "the king of steam" (at least, to me, he is).
I know that "Big Boy" wasn't the strongest steam locomotive ever built. However, I will say that he was the largest successful steam locomotive ever built, and I will also say that he is, and always will be, my favorite steam locomotive.
@razgrizaceblaze259 You are making up information on the Big Boy. The Big Boy was one of the most successful large steams engines, but not the most . The NW class "A" is often referred to as the Rolls Royce of Steam. Read the book, THE HISTORY OF NORTH AMERICAN STEAM, by Christopher Chant to find out the ratings of the great locomotives.
It is widely said that "Big Boy" was the largest successful steam locomotive ever built. I don't make stuff up like that. Look at the St. Louis Museum of Transportation website, and you'll see that when they show a picture of "Big Boy", it says "Unrivalled World-Class Collection! Including the world's largest successful steam locomotive!" I'm not saying "Big Boy" was the most successful steam locomotive. I'm saying he was the largest steam locomotive that was successful.
@razgrizaceblaze259 I`m sorry, but a sign in one museum does not change the fact that among many railroad writers, The BB was a great steam engine, but not the best. The "A", the Yellowstones (which was loaned to the Denver Rio Grand in Winter months), and usually the Alleghenies are listed above the Big Boy. All of these machines did their duties with greatness, this is really a unsolvable discussion.
Again, I'm not saying that "Big Boy" was the best steam locomotive in the world, nor am I saying that "Big Boy" was the most successful steam locomotive or that there weren't other large successful steam locomotives. All I am saying is that from what I have heard, seen, and gathered from many sources, "Big Boy" was the largest steam locomotive that was deemed successful. Yes, there were locomotives that were bigger/longer than "Big Boy", but they weren't really successful.
@MrAquarium They'll let you on it now. :D Also, they had to replace almost all the track in north america to accomodate the locomotive's weight, it'd take two of it to stop one of it at full blast no brakes, it could carry 4 times it own weight in trainloads behind it, and, best of all, it's the second largest, there's two left, anf the Big Boy is the largest in the world, but weighs less. This one's the heaviest in the world. :D
@JeffHendrie length is all that gives the big boy a name. The Alleghenny's firebox and boiler were both larger in size than that of the big boys. Big al also produced more tractive effort and horse power. big No diesel has yet to reach the horspower of the Alleghennys. Big Boy has allready been beat!
Thats a great video. It sure is hard to find live footage of the Allegheny. Thats nice of the Henry Ford Museum to provide actual live footage of #1601 operating. Great Video !
Lets see a Diesel locomotive do this Take this Diesel fans!
shadowdemon46 2 months ago
Everyone has his favorite large steam locomotive. The Big Boy gets the most publicity, but the many others were comparable. NW YB6, the Yellowstones, and GN 2-8-8-4, NW "A", the Allegheny--all magnificent machines. It is interesting that the Big Boy was not tops in any category except length.
shnimmuc 7 months ago 7
whow!! Allegheny vs big boy : who wins?
BordiniBlues85 9 months ago
Nice vid.
CSXer 10 months ago
U got to love that whistle
nukinfuts1000 10 months ago
Nothing beats seeing one of these in person. Unbelievable
SpeedbeetleV2 10 months ago
The alleghenys had some sweet whistles.
trainmandan05 11 months ago
OMG that is big
aswmkid3 11 months ago
I wonder if this is the only video of an original allegheny in motion. If there is a full verison or complete video about this and other C&O steam enignes please let me know.
bubblejomay 11 months ago
I wonder if that thing could be restored to running condition at all.
claimless 1 year ago
@claimless It could be possible, but the cost of restoring and operating this mammoth would be rediculously high.
ThomasSukhoi 1 year ago
@ThomasSukhoi Let's do it.
bubblejomay 11 months ago
Well if an allegheny is the HEAVIEST locomotive in the world does that mean that a UP Big Boy has a better chance of being put back on the high iron?
trainmandan05 1 year ago
@trainmandan05 Although it has a better chance - almost all odds are against it still...Money,time, weight, railroads. Even though these engines are more heavy then the Big Boys..tracks remain the same..
mcr0928 1 year ago
Nicely done. I will make it a point of going there to see this, some day! Thanks for sharing!
mscwolf 1 year ago
HA Railroaders!
Rtchugg 1 year ago
Q2 ??? LOL!! PRR had nothing to be proud about. between the 1930's and the end of steam, they had as much as 25% of their engines down for shop repairs. The PRR's 2-10-0's were more useful overall. The Q2's were maintenance nightmares! N&W's Y6b is the most efficient and had the highest sustainable tractive effort of 170,000lbs at 6mph. Weight of loco isn't as important as factor of adhesion.
LydeckerFan 1 year ago
@LydeckerFan
boazrg 1 year ago
Comment removed
09JDCTrainMan 1 year ago
IT SHALL OVERCOME!!! LOL
aarr385 1 year ago
You ought to see the one in the B&O Museum in Baltimore. It just sits there outside and decays away in the elements. Very sad indeed.
wobblinwheel 2 years ago
Outside? It was moved inside like two years ago!
badboylll 1 year ago
Comment removed
09JDCTrainMan 2 years ago
They should restore her to running condition.
09JDCTrainMan 2 years ago
You know, I have visited that locomotive many many times at the museum during my life time, and every time I see it, i think two things - one I marvel at it, and mostly I think to myself, gee, it sure would be great, to see that loco run one more time - better yet, with me being pulled by it in a passenger car! It sure would but chills down my spine that's for sure.
pixelpicker 2 years ago
How much does it weight? (in tons please)
krirre 2 years ago
@krirre, they weighed around 544 tons
badboylll 1 year ago
Comment removed
09JDCTrainMan 2 years ago
The Tallest and heavyist,,,,,, take that Big Boy....lol
MrAquarium 2 years ago 17
yeah, but not the most powerful :)
fasionbug 2 years ago
That was never proven..... numbers on a sheet don't mean anything until they are put side by side on the rail and put to the real test.....
MrAquarium 2 years ago
neither the Big Boy or Allegheny were the most powerful, both in terms of HP and T.E.
fasionbug 2 years ago
You know I was thinking how much like the F*rd and Chevy debate this is, lol...
So if neither was, then what is the so called Most?
MrAquarium 2 years ago
Haha. I'm think the title for the most HP goes to the PPR Q2 duplex drive engine, generating 7,987IHP at 57mph. The title for the most T.E. goes to the Virginian's X-A 2-8-8-8-4 Triplex, generating 199,560lbs T.E. in simple mode. But both of these were failed concepts, so again, we have come full circle, lol.
fasionbug 2 years ago
@MrAquarium -
Actually, by observing the methods used by the various RR's as they tested their locos you can get an accurate look at what loco was the most powerful. That would be the N&W Y6b's 170,000 TE in simple. Pretty impressive for a loco that weighs less than the Allegheny. Unlike the VGN 2-8-8-8-4's or 2-10-10-2's teh Y6b TE was sustainable.
LydeckerFan 1 year ago 2
not the most powerful? get your facts right!
badboylll 2 years ago
@MrAquarium
I really like the Alleghenies, but "Big Boy" will always be my #1 favorite steam locomotive. The Alleghenies might have been taller and heavier than "Big Boy", but "Big Boy" had over 20,000 lbs more tractive effort than an Allegheny, was built to be able to reach 80 m.p.h., and the last "Big Boy" was retired from service in 1959, outliving the Alleghenies by about 3 years. As I said, I have a deep respect for the Alleghenies, but, in my opinion, "Big Boy" is "the king of steam".
razgrizaceblaze259 1 year ago
@razgrizaceblaze259
Do you know if both the front and rear sets of drivers were articulated-or if only the front set were articulated? I've heard conflicting accounts of their design.
panhandle55 1 year ago
@razgrizaceblaze259 Actually the Alleghenies have more horse power and possibly even more tractive effort than the 4000 class BigBoy. The actual true weight of the Alleghenies was covered up by the Lima Locomotive Works because they were all built over weight. The C&O eventually found out and sued Lima. If the actual formula for tractive effort was calculated with the actual full weight of an H8, it is most likely that the H8 would out perform the BigBoy in most categories.
996TwinTurbo911 1 year ago 2
@razgrizaceblaze259 Are you sure about this, can you prove what you have written?
bubblejomay 11 months ago
@bubblejomay
In regards to the tractive effort, I used what is listed for both locomotives on Wes Barris' website. If you want, I'll send you the link to it. In regards to the speed, I used both this video and many sources about 'Big Boy' for the info. In regards to the length of time they were in service, I (again) used this video and many sources about 'Big Boy' for the info. In regards to my opinion, well, it's my opinion. No one can say someone's opinion is wrong.
razgrizaceblaze259 11 months ago
@razgrizaceblaze259 Never said you were wrong, just that I have heard and have seen so many statistics and statements that the allegheney had more tractive power than the big boy. Would like to see you info, thanks.
bubblejomay 11 months ago
@bubblejomay
First, I wasn't trying to imply you said my opinion was wrong. I was just explaining where I got everything for each statement I made, and I guess I got carried away with the opinion part. Sorry. Anyway, I'll send you a message containing a link to the website where I got the info about tractive effort.
razgrizaceblaze259 11 months ago
@razgrizaceblaze259 Thank you.
bubblejomay 11 months ago
@razgrizaceblaze259 I often wonder why the person that wrote Big Boy on the firebox of the 4000 never came forword and said he did it, or why someone that knows doesn't say it if the person isn't with us anymore.
But will all do respect, Any Giant steam is an awesome site and machine, and the respect goes to those who designed and those who built them.
MrBurlingtonNorthern 10 months ago
@MrBurlingtonNorthern
I completely agree. I don't like saying that one locomotive was 'better' than another, but I will say things like one locomotive was faster, heavier, stronger, operated longer, etc. than another. I love many of the giant steam locomotives, like the UP 4-8-8-4s, DM&IR 2-8-8-4s, Southern 2-8-8-2s, UP 4-6-6-4s, C&O 2-6-6-6s, etc. However, I will always have one steam locomotive I love more than any other, and that's Big Boy, "the king of steam" (at least, to me, he is).
razgrizaceblaze259 10 months ago
@razgrizaceblaze259 Both the YB6 and the DM&IR 2-8-8-4 had more tractive effort then the Big Boy.
shnimmuc 7 months ago
@shnimmuc
I know that "Big Boy" wasn't the strongest steam locomotive ever built. However, I will say that he was the largest successful steam locomotive ever built, and I will also say that he is, and always will be, my favorite steam locomotive.
razgrizaceblaze259 7 months ago
@razgrizaceblaze259 You are making up information on the Big Boy. The Big Boy was one of the most successful large steams engines, but not the most . The NW class "A" is often referred to as the Rolls Royce of Steam. Read the book, THE HISTORY OF NORTH AMERICAN STEAM, by Christopher Chant to find out the ratings of the great locomotives.
shnimmuc 7 months ago
@shnimmuc
It is widely said that "Big Boy" was the largest successful steam locomotive ever built. I don't make stuff up like that. Look at the St. Louis Museum of Transportation website, and you'll see that when they show a picture of "Big Boy", it says "Unrivalled World-Class Collection! Including the world's largest successful steam locomotive!" I'm not saying "Big Boy" was the most successful steam locomotive. I'm saying he was the largest steam locomotive that was successful.
razgrizaceblaze259 7 months ago
@razgrizaceblaze259 I`m sorry, but a sign in one museum does not change the fact that among many railroad writers, The BB was a great steam engine, but not the best. The "A", the Yellowstones (which was loaned to the Denver Rio Grand in Winter months), and usually the Alleghenies are listed above the Big Boy. All of these machines did their duties with greatness, this is really a unsolvable discussion.
shnimmuc 7 months ago 2
@shnimmuc
Again, I'm not saying that "Big Boy" was the best steam locomotive in the world, nor am I saying that "Big Boy" was the most successful steam locomotive or that there weren't other large successful steam locomotives. All I am saying is that from what I have heard, seen, and gathered from many sources, "Big Boy" was the largest steam locomotive that was deemed successful. Yes, there were locomotives that were bigger/longer than "Big Boy", but they weren't really successful.
razgrizaceblaze259 7 months ago
@MrAquarium But, not the longest. The Big Boy still takes that honor.
PereMarquette1223 10 months ago
@MrAquarium They'll let you on it now. :D Also, they had to replace almost all the track in north america to accomodate the locomotive's weight, it'd take two of it to stop one of it at full blast no brakes, it could carry 4 times it own weight in trainloads behind it, and, best of all, it's the second largest, there's two left, anf the Big Boy is the largest in the world, but weighs less. This one's the heaviest in the world. :D
JeffHendrie 4 months ago
@JeffHendrie The alleghenny's boiler was larger than the big boys.
Kleman09 1 month ago
@Kleman09 "second largest" as in the total size of the locomotive, not just the boiler. The allegheny is shorter than the Big Boy, in length.
JeffHendrie 1 month ago
@JeffHendrie length is all that gives the big boy a name. The Alleghenny's firebox and boiler were both larger in size than that of the big boys. Big al also produced more tractive effort and horse power. big No diesel has yet to reach the horspower of the Alleghennys. Big Boy has allready been beat!
Kleman09 1 month ago
Thats a great video. It sure is hard to find live footage of the Allegheny. Thats nice of the Henry Ford Museum to provide actual live footage of #1601 operating. Great Video !
m2fit4u2 3 years ago