Steam & Excursion > 844 Drag race question

Just for the fun of it, does anyone know how fast time wise, the 844 or 4449 or 3751 with a full consist does the 0-60 mph drag race?

I don't know if this will work or not...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QgXFxw4OD7Q..about 5 minutes they say.

Cheers, Dave

SP4449 would win! She has the same boiler pressure as UP 844, but has 251/2" diameter pistons, where UP844 has 25" diameter pistons. Plus, SP4449 has a booster on the trailing truck, for that "quick start"!

And of course the added aerodynamics of the streamlining that kick in after the booster cuts off...Yeah, it's 4449 hands down....plus the fact my brain goes all 13-year-old whenever she's around. I think she can fly...

Cheers, Dave

I love posts like these. The plausible inplausible, isn't that what Disney called it?

anyway, only railfans could comeup with this stuff..

in the interest of playing along, wouldn't the 844's smaller drivers give it a better hole shot when they get the green light at the bottom of the Christmas tree? assuming 4449 slips, it could be close at the finish line.

gotta run, superchargers is coming on..
chico
http://www.heartlandrails.com

Why do you think that "844 has smaller drivers"? Both SP4449 and UP844 have 80" diameter drive wheels.

Does anyone have a video clip of the actual "drag race" through Cajon Pass featuring these two locomotives?

844 looked awesome today in southern IL!

Posted from Android

The cited video of 4449 going from 0-60 in 5 minutes doesn't do 4449 any favors. It sounds like an easy start and the acceleration is far from a flat-out effort. I downloaded a video of 844 some time ago in what appeared to be a close-to-max effort going from 0-60 in about 2 minutes, vid in the cab. I suspect that 4449 would have an advantage in a "drag race" because of its slightly greater starting TE (engine only). With the booster, it would have a significant advantage up to what ? about 12-15 mph. However, the videos have no relevance because we have no idea what the trailing load is, what the line profile is or how much the diesel is "helping" 4449 during the start.

I tend to agree with Hotwater, that 4449, as it's equipped (with booster) would have an advantage over 844 up to 60 mph comparing 4449, 844 and 3751.



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 06/05/11 03:18 by feltonhill.

Since 844 has roller bearings and 4449 doesnt does that make a difference. Its not like these two celebs need anything to prove!

Posted from Android

You know what? They play together very well. Tacoma 2007.

---

SP&S #700 would beat 'em both...

DTrainshooter Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> SP&S #700 would beat 'em both...


Oh, Boy; here we go!

With all due respect to both the 844 and 4449 the 614 would woop 'em both easily 0-60 as her 74 inch mains give her a huge advantage in that speed range with or without using her high speed ( up to 28mph) booster off the starting line.

At sustained speeds above 80 mph the 844 and the 4449 would have the advantage on account of their longer legs.

IMHO- Ross Rowland

Don't be too quick to disparage DTrainshooter's remark re: SP&S 700. This imagined "drag race" is essentially a battle of starting TE/DB Pull. SP&S 700 has the highest STE (engine only) of the five mentioned here (844, 4449, 3751, plus 614, 700) at 69,800 lbs and plenty of weight on her 77" drivers (296,500 lbs) to apply it.

A comparison was made by AAR in 1947 between ATSF 3784, SP4455, and UP 814 and 844. This was described in Kratville's book, The Mighty 800, pg95-96. The tests were run near Cajon on a 2.2% grade and 10 degree curve. Tests were made at 5, 20 and 30 mph and were designed to determine lateral forces exerted by steam locos on curves. According to the book, 844 always had to be shut off before the curve, and it rarely had to back up more than half the distance of the others. I believe these tests were written up in the AREA annual of the time, but I don't have a copy here. So 844 may be the sleeper here, if we knew what made the difference between it and 3784 and 4455 back in '47.

Fun as long as we don't take it it all too seriously.



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 06/05/11 09:21 by feltonhill.

As long as we're fantasizing here...

Lets throw in the Mighty N&W J class #611 ----
Any takers?

80,000 lbs TE to start, (70 inch drivers, 300PSI) ---- And she could still pin your ears back at 110 per!

Yes, the 80 inch driver guys could cruise at lower rpms, but all these beauties here could do one hundred per ALL DAY LONG!

Wes Camp1472

Might as well throw in a Reading T-1. 68,000 T.E. 79,000 with the booster....240lbs boiler pressure...27" pistons....70" drivers.

Oh good lord.....only railfans could come up with these scenarios!!!

I just happen to have a NEW VIDEO CAMERA!

I purchased it after trying to decide which one to get, for a long time! One reason I did this, was to film the UP 844, as she came into Union Station, a week ago today! But I could not go to do it, as my car has developed major problems, I found out since then, which will take another week or so to get fixed! Maybe Longer.

My point merely is this! I think what you all are talking about, is really neat!

If this were ever to happen, for real, well, I would sure like to be there, and film it!

This would be the Grandest Event in Railroading, or at least one of them! That I have ever heard of happening..

And even better than a Photo Run By!

VERNON HARRISON
LA TOUR, MISSOURI

Re-reading the question...

The proposition states with "a full consist".
What could/does that mean? 10, 14, 18, 25 pass cars?

Sounds more like a tractor-pull!

With a 'load', the smaller the drivers, the quicker to 60 MPH.

74" driver diameter at 60 MPH= 273.6 RPM
80" driver diameter at 60 MPH= 252.6 RPM


Wes Camp1472