Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.1 6/24/83; site teldata.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!floyd!vax135!cornell!uw-beaver!teltone!teldata!ted From: ted@teldata.UUCP (Ted Becker) Newsgroups: net.railroad Subject: Re: 4-8-8-4 Big Boy Message-ID: <237@teldata.UUCP> Date: Wed, 22-Feb-84 13:04:10 EST Article-I.D.: teldata.237 Posted: Wed Feb 22 13:04:10 1984 Date-Received: Thu, 23-Feb-84 06:08:53 EST References: <691@avsdT.UUCP> Organization: Teltone Corp., Kirkland, WA Lines: 16 ******* Here is some info on the Big Boy from the Model Railroader Locomotive Cyclopedia. Built by ALCO in 1941 & 1944 25 were built all for the Union Pacific Weight 772,000 lb. 68" drivers Tractive Effort 135,375 lb. Pressure 300psi 23 3/4 x 32 cylinders The Big Boy was capable of speeds up to 80 mph but developed best power at 30mph. All of the locomotives that were bigger or heavier than the Big Boy were coal or ore haulers and lacked the glamor of the high speed freight that the Big Boy pulled. Also the UP has always put out more PR. I think the 5 mile train was an error or an exageration. A train that long would consist of 400 to 600 cars and trains that long are just not possible. A 100 to 150 car train is a fairly long train.