Steam & Excursion > Is This Statement True?

The current issue of Heritage Railway, a very good publication from the UK, includes a photo of Bulgarian Railways 2-12-4T (that's not a typo) 46.03 and states that the "World's most powerful operational steam engine . . . boasts a tractive effort of no less than 85,652lbft . . .".  Is this claim true?  The key word is "operational" which rules out one obvious challenger (pun intended, but put away the popcorn), but what about anything else out there?  In the near future I would guess that C&O 1309 would be a good bet, and what about ATSF 2926?  I just hate the idea of the Europeans having a more powerful steam locomotive than do we.

Gordon

gbmott Wrote:
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> The current issue of Heritage Railway, a very
> good publication from the UK, includes a photo of
> Bulgarian Railways 2-12-4T (that's not a typo)
> 46.03 and states that the "World's most powerful
> operational steam engine . . . boasts a tractive
> effort of no less than 85,652lbft . . .".  Is
> this claim true?  The key word is "operational"
> which rules out one obvious challenger (pun
> intended, but put away the popcorn), but what
> about anything else out there?  In the near
> future I would guess that C&O 1309 would be a good
> bet, and what about ATSF 2926?  I just hate the
> idea of the Europeans having a more powerful steam
> locomotive than do we.
>
> Gordon

What is the tractive effort of N&W 611 (yes I know she is 'put away for the winter'), or SP 4449 including booster?

http://www.steamlocomotive.com/misc/largest.php shows TE of 78,500 lbs for an SP GS-4 with booster, and 80,000 lbs for an N&W J.

Jack, I believe 4449 is 78,000+ with booster and 611 is 80,000 without. Of course those are the published figures possibly calculated differently.

Posted from iPhone

Well golly...when that 4014 is under steam again, all of this will be put to rest. Hahaha!

The published figure for Santa Fe 2926 is 66,000lbs, the computed value is 86,000lbs if memory serves me correct. Santa Fe never changed their values for their 4-8-4s even though their size, weight and boiler pressure all increased from 1927 to 1944.

Posted from iPhone

I don't know the specs but 4 cylinder London, Midland & Scotland Stanier Pacifics while not big but are quite powerful. 6201, 6233
Power isn't always about size.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/30/15 22:16 by mike15224449.

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I like that Pacific... four cylinders, eh? Is that 8 impulses per driver revolution?

John.

According to the same article, the 85,652lbf is "well over double that of a (GWR) King, (SR) Merchant Navy, (LMS) Princess Coronation or (LNER) A-4".  It is certainly true that size does not necessarily relate to power, but in this case the Bulgarian locomotive is in a whole different class.  Also, while it may have slightly more tractive effort than 611, one look at the size of its drivers tells you that it will never match the performance of a J.

As for my statement about hating to think that Europe has a more powerful operating steam locomotive than the US, don't take it too seriously.  I was really more surprised than anything and, of course, once C&O 1309 with its 98,700lbf tractive effort is operational, the title will once again be held in the US.  Until then, though, it looks like they have a legitimate claim.

Gordon

I had always thought the tracktive effort of the Santa Fe 2900's had to be more than the   66,000  figure listed.  Now whether or not it would be in the  80,000 range may be another matter.

By Jove, that 4 cylinder Pacific is a delight to the ears.
Must be ticklish setting the valves.

Wonderful sound on that video! Very sttirring to the soul. Thank you for posting it.

tomstp Wrote:
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> I had always thought the tracktive effort of the
> Santa Fe 2900's had to be more than the  
> 66,000  figure listed.  Now whether or not it
> would be in the  80,000 range may be another
> matter.

From what I have read, the ATSF Mechanical Department was rabid about keeping the real abilities of their "super steam" 2900 and 5011 Class locomotives away from the Operating Department, knowing they would immediately assign tonnage equal to their real abilities. One example was a 5011 was rated at 93,000 lbs. TE, but tested on the dynamoter car at 108,000 lbs. TE. No doubt the all the 4-8-4's were more powerful in fact than the published numbers.

The speed of the engine at what, 35 mph sounds like it is doing 60.    Wonder how many exhaust nozzles it has?

tomstp Wrote:
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> The speed of the engine at what, 35 mph sounds
> like it is doing 60.    Wonder how many exhaust
> nozzles it has?

You wouldn't believe how this loco sounds at 75mph which is the speed limit for steam in the uk.

trainjunkie Wrote:
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> Well golly...when that 4014 is under steam again,
> all of this will be put to rest. Hahaha!

When? Uh that's very debatable, especially with Mr. Know it All still in charge in Cheyenne, it should be if ever 4014 will ever be under steam!

Posted from Android



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/06/15 20:14 by ProAmtrak.