I've never had that problem...I can fix just about anything. You got a broken steamer, I can fix it (it's the spare parts that are hardest to find)
Ooooooooh it appears I touched a sensitive spot. So tell me what did all those steam locomotives do when they got to the top of the hill? Do you think they waited around a couple of decades for some stupid diesel or maybe three or more of them to come around. Nope, they went down the other side, all by their lonesome, holding back the train. By the way, a steam engine could use its steam to brake just as a diesel uses its traction motors. But neither one of them is sufficient to stop a train alone. That's why trains today still have brake shoes.
That steam engine is pulling way beyond its capacity. A 4-4-0 pulling five loaded steel passenger cars and two caboose is so way over the top. But you can bet those people who chose to ride that train didn't do so because of the diseasel.
Actually, there was a whole period of beautiful streamlined diesels in the 40's & 50's by the likes of EMD, ALCO, Baldwin, etc… You Steamers have your own "Rah! Rah!" thread. Why has this one turned into an diesel-bashing thread?
glennac - All in fun! I spent a few years working on and around diesels, and they have their advantages. The primary ones involve saving money by cutting labor costs, a LOT! Diesels have the luxury of large flat surfaces to splash a lot of color on, purty sometimes. I prefer steam for various reasons. Have been around live steam engines many times, and they just have a rugged and all exposed machinery beauty. Each engine has more personality when it comes to operating it. If you check out my youtube channel, it is mostly modern diesel BNSF and various other lines, because it is still railroading! And that is the point. We are first and foremost, ask George the OP here, RAILFANS that are able to poke each other for fun about our preferences! Well, except for anything SF or UP or Diesel or Steam or ..........
Yup....was/is posted as just a fun thread. Everyone just kidding back and forth. No need to get serious. Everybody runs what they like and there is no reason to believe threads like this will change anyones mind. Once again...its all in fun people...a little levity in an otherwise hectic world. Now...SMILE !!
Heck if I just stuck to one era I would be bored. I run steam and diesel from multiple eras. It's free lance modeling. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk - now Free
Alrighty.. Here is why I like steam. This northern pulling 40 cars up a 2% all by its lonesome. I could probably pull more, but I only set out enough for a video this a.m. I got everything else packed up to move into another room. It's been awhile since I did much on my layout. Their is a tricky switch where it transitions from hardboard to foam. You can definitely hear a difference.. Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk
Fubar is correct when it comes to a locomotive going South for the winter. I have a stack of them on my work bench waiting for winters snow to drive dad inside to work on them. Now with all that insulation in place they might get ignored. Thanks to Sleeper, I've got all the walls and part of the roof covered. Even finished the 110 household wiring project. Added sound and not DCC sound. I made homemade tapes of trains idling in a train yard or otherwise passing by the camera. I get to hear the rumble of those diesels. Oh, do they sound good. George, you are so right about those stoves. Driving rods hanging loose, those dratted traction tires waiting for an application of dried out Bull Frog Snot. I'll be ordering more. Can't even chip the stuff out of the bottle. Cat's? I was being overrun with mice and sent two of my best felines out there to guard the shack. Those girls played nasty and the mice evacuated or died in the ensuing battle. Way to go girls. Can't help but appreciate the Rio Grande paint scheme on those motors. Nice! Video was swell. I love them both and operate them freely inter mixed on my layout. Thanks for the Birthday Wishes.
Diesel, you can't handle Diesel....... Worst runner I have is a steam unit. Best runners are all Diesel, but I still have a place for steam.
