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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

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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.