Thread: Steam still on track.

Originally Posted by Dinty

I think I have it all, 8 of Solihull's finest in my yard and a NSWGR P class otherwise known as 32** in 5" gauge in my workshop LOL, although it has never had a fire in the boiler, it does run on compressed air (which has no expansion qualities, so it should run on steam when I'm ready to do so) anyway thanks again John, cheers Dennis
ps steam locos have been pulling water gins for the past 20 years, although the South Maitland line (SMR) still has 2 water cocks & tanks trackside, but no steam uses the line, the last time was Steamfest 200?5 I think,,.

I have the full erection drawings for an AC60 class. I bought them from the railways patens office in the early 70s and these are the genuine NSWGR drawings.

While I have no intentions of trying to build a live steamer, over the last few years I have been considering building a G scale version.

It’s not likely to ever happen but fo all the engines out there, the 60s are out on their own.

6042 at Forbes taken not long ago from a member at RailPage. Owned by the Dorrigo mob..........

Originally Posted by drivesafe

Today, the Garret is still, pound for pound, the most powerful steam locomotives ever built. More powerful than anything the Yanks built and the North American continent was the only continent where Garrets were not used.

Not quite right. The Missouri Pacific "Mikado" type made by Alco was 150 tons and tractive effort of 63,000 lbs; the Baltimore and Ohio "Mallet" type also by Alco was 160 tons and 71,500 lbs; Baltimore and Ohio articulated 2-8-8-2 KK1 class had 90,0000lbs tractive effort but I can't find a reference to its operating weight. Northern Pacific and also Duluth, Mesabi, and Iron Range operated the 2-8-8-4 Yellowstone type which are said to be among the heaviest locos ever built. Union Pacific operated the biggest of all, the 4-8-8-4 "Big Boy type, 600 tons. I can't find a reference to its tractive effort.

The BIG Boys were big But the Allegheny's were more powerful with 7500.00 av hp, and 110,000lb tractive effort..........

Big Boys were 135.375 lbs tractive effort

The difference in the wheel arrangement bigboy was a 4 8 8 4 the Allegheny was 2 6 6 2

Originally Posted by drivesafe

Funny but that’s the world standard sign for level crossings.

Still funny though!

Suppose so....
I mean look at the four stations on an original Monopoly board-all steamers.For all you foamer gunzels out there........


Ta cam

Originally Posted by V8Ian

I think westbound trains from Brisbane worked as double headers to Toowoomba, I'm not prepared to swear to it.

I think that at either Helidon or Gatton near the foot of the range. as a helper engine,more "elephant" style,rather than poshing from the back.





ta cam

Originally Posted by Brian Hjelm

Not quite right. The Missouri Pacific "Mikado" type made by Alco was 150 tons and tractive effort of 63,000 lbs; the Baltimore and Ohio "Mallet" type also by Alco was 160 tons and 71,500 lbs; Baltimore and Ohio articulated 2-8-8-2 KK1 class had 90,0000lbs tractive effort but I can't find a reference to its operating weight. Northern Pacific and also Duluth, Mesabi, and Iron Range operated the 2-8-8-4 Yellowstone type which are said to be among the heaviest locos ever built. Union Pacific operated the biggest of all, the 4-8-8-4 "Big Boy type, 600 tons. I can't find a reference to its tractive effort.

Hi Brian, yes all those are BIGGER and overall more powerful and don’t forget the Virginian RRs triplex 2-8-8-8-4, but on a pound for pound, power to weight ratio, nothing beats a Garret.

Originally Posted by 271

I think that at either Helidon or Gatton near the foot of the range. as a helper engine,more "elephant" style,rather than poshing from the back.





ta cam

Long time ago I worked with a guy, now long dead, who had been manpowered into Qld. Rail during WW2. He had been a shearer. He became a fireman. He said all the firemen hated the Toowoomba Range. He said you fired constantly from Helidon to the top and don't slacken off or the driver would be right up you. One day on the range a notoriously awkward fireman was said to have stepped into a bucket and got his big work boot caught in it. The driver upped him when he stopped firing to attempt to remove the bucket from his foot and insisted he keep firing bucket footed all trhe way to the top. He also reckoned firing a train of empty sheep wagons was a real chore particularly into a head wind out on the western plains.