Big boy 4014

[herr_oberst]

What a cool video. Trains in general and that beast in particular are so friggin' awesome. Everywhere you look is a cool invention. The timing of the drivetrain linkage, and the interaction of the steam valve and the piston is genius and so fascinating to watch.

I think if I heard right that the BB pulls the equivalent of 4 modern diesel-electrics?

[jcwade]

Picture taken many years ago while still on static display in Pomona, California.

[Tobra]

There is a train museum downtown. $25 gets a kid membership in the Caboose Club. Kid and one adult get annnual admission to museum and got to ride the train they run up and down along the river. I bet I have ridden that train 50 times. Sacramento was this end of the Pony Express and the railroad when they finished it.

[fanaudical]

Originally Posted by herr_oberst

What a cool video. Trains in general and that beast in particular are so friggin' awesome. Everywhere you look is a cool invention. The timing of the drivetrain linkage, and the interaction of the steam valve and the piston is genius and so fascinating to watch.

I think if I heard right that the BB pulls the equivalent of 4 modern diesel-electrics?

If you want to go down the rabbit hole, look up "tractive effort" comparisons between steam and diesel locomotives.

My grandfather was fireman's mate on steam ships and then ran steam-driven logging skidders and locomotives. I remember getting a couple of lessons as a kid while standing in front of various locomotives at different parks. There's a lot to a steam locomotive if you look closely...

[herr_oberst]

Bigger Big Boy?

[sc_rufctr]