But aren't the two sets of drivers independent of one another with respect to their position on the tracks and to the chassis of the locomotive?

I don't think there are any Big Boys left running. There is one on display at the Pomona Fairgrounds. You may have seen the Union Pacifics Challenger, similar to a big boy, 4-6-6-4 I think

'Worlds Largest operating steam engine" Challengerhttp://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1201549366.jpg

Found this on a different site. Really see how Porsche evolved.
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1201550063.jpg

I always chuckle when I see "Boxster" listed under "Entry Level" along with the 912 and 924.

Yup; they do move independantly - they "articulate". They are hung from one common frame under a common boiler, however, so the whole engine isn't really hinged in the middle. Typically the rear set of drivers are fixed on that frame, and the front set is free to pivot and slide in a big crescant shaped slot. The pilot truck usually pivots with that front set. It's hard to see on the real thing, as they don't move much, so here is a shot of a model locomotive with the movement exagerated:





http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1201550273.jpg

That why I posted the picture of the Ford Indy engine.:D

I like how 911 is not classified as either. Neither side in the arguement on the techincal forum wins. :D

Got to love Wikepedia...

I was thinking, "it doesn't get much weirder than that."

This may be a joke of some sort, but I suspect that there are some odd folks somewhere wanking like mad to this photo or maybe a whole series of them.

Charlie White photographs vulnerability.

Using a humanoid puppet he calls “complete fragility manifest in a body,” White presents human frailty through a fictional character, much as a novelist might.

As White tells Jacki Lyden for Weekend All Things Considered, his puppet, called Joshua, helps him to explore the themes of male self-image and self-loathing. White places Joshua in a series of vulnerable situations — at a cocktail party or a lover’s house — and photographs the scene.

http://www.npr.org/programs/watc/features/2002/june/white/

other works:

http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/12.02/white.html

"One of the great articulated locomotives from the 20th Century. A truly great American accomplishment."

I tend to think of a "Mallet" locomotive as a Swiss or European accomplishment. Jules T. Anatole Mallet was a Swiss mechanical engineer; the first "Mallet arrangement" locomotive was used in France in 1876. The American copies came much later (1904?) and as has been mentioned, typically didn't utilize compounding (steam used at two different pressures).

Dishmaster - Imperial............................they still make them, but I don't think in the gold.

http://gadgets.boingboing.net/retro/2007/10/28-week/
http://gadgets.boingboing.net/gimages/dishmaster.jpg

http://www.dishmaster-faucet.com/modelm76.html
http://www.dishmaster-faucet.com/ima...aster-4m76.gif

http://www.tmnews.com/stories/2008/01/16/news.nw-500808.tms

not sure about locomotives...but this is my kind of train! :)

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1201578959.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1201579096.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1201579118.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1201579134.jpg

I'm not sure about the third one down.

(sorry if this is a repost, after 1002 pages who knows.).

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1201640861.jpg

"I'm not sure about the third one down."

I think she'll need the hot neighbour across the way for this one..classic Doug.