Quote:
Originally Posted by chesterakl
I would actually disagree with that statement. On a single unit to unit basis comparison - yes. Sure, you can throw an Alco 2-10-10-2 at a string of cars and it will outdo one diesel-electric locomotive by far. But steam locomotives can only be run in single units. Diesels can be (and usually are) assembled into coordinated multiple unit operations, and at that point they are essentially one unit in operation with any amount of power needed to pull any length of train.
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Well, you're free to disagree. You're also free to be totally wrong.
I disclosed "railfan" at the start. I know what I'm talking about. I have actually been at the throttle of both a 1936 steam locomotive, ( restored, I'm not that old! ) and a 2003 Union Pacific modern loco...( and many others ) so I
know what I'm talking about.
Would you like a photo of 3 steam locomotives at the head end of a 2 mile ( 200 car ) freight? How many photos would you like, since this was common place? Yes, you need 3 engineers vs. 1, since the units were not electronically linked like today... but you can triple or quadruple head steam when needed, and it is quite impressive to see.
It was earlier implied that steam locomotive were not powerful, and modern locos were more powerful. Not true in the slightest. Like you said, you need several ( relatively small ) modern locos to do the work of one large steam loco of yesteryear.