Large Scale Central

If you had to choose just one locomotive!

General Discussion
#1

Which one would you choose and why?

I’ll start.

I like the Niagara Steam locomotive. She is everything I would want. Whether in scale or in real life, this particular locomotive just hits me on all cylinders. Like a real lady she rides the rails with such beauty, I am aw struck when I see her rolling by.

No other locomotive impresses me as much as this one. Whether in UP livery or NYC livery, she is just about the classiest locomotive ever created. The wheel arrangement is perfect. The tender looks so beautiful with the locomotive. The elephant ears…wow! Just stunning.

The site and sound of a Niagara was truly something few forget. The power and the grace all at one time. I am not an expert on steam locomotives and I know many in here know way more then I’ll ever know, but this particular locomotive just seems to have it all in my opinion.

Runner ups:

A5 0-4-0

Big Boy

UP’s Centennial

Hudson

Genesis Phase V

What locomotive do you like the most and why?

Thanks for replying.

#2

Stacy Krausmann said:

Which one would you choose and why?

EMD F-40

Cause I’m only allowed to,too,two choose 1 as your topic states

#3

RhB Ge 6/6’ aka the Krokodil, it’s the quintessentail RhB engine. Besides it left a mighty big impression back in 1952, even though there were some other very interesting engines on the RhB.

I had four of the reptiles on the old HOm layout, the prototype had fifteen.

#4

F40PH-2C in 1/29 scale…time for a commuter rail locomotive.

#5

Hans-Joerg Mueller said:

RhB Ge 6/6’ aka the Krokodil, it’s the quintessentail RhB engine. Besides it left a mighty big impression back in 1952, even though there were some other very interesting engines on the RhB.

I had four of the reptiles on the old HOm layout, the prototype had fifteen.

Hans, is that the locomotive that uses driver arms? Yet, it is diesel electric.

Was not sure. Anyway, if that is the one you are referring too, I love that engine allot.

Thanks

#6

David Russell said:

Stacy Krausmann said:

Which one would you choose and why?

EMD F-40

Cause I’m only allowed to,too,two choose 1 as your topic states

I am torn between GE products and GM products. LOL

They both manufacture some of the most beautiful locomotives to ever grace the rails in this country.

F-40 is a cool looking locomotive.

#7

It’s fully electric, has side rods that are driven by a single electric motor (one in each “snout”) via an intermediate crank shaft. They are articulated i.e. two power trucks with the main body, containing a cab at either end and all the electrical gear, acting like a bridge between the two “snouts”.

#8

Without question, the D&RGW narrow gauge Mikes. K27, 28, 36 and 37. Yes I know you said one, but they are essentially the same, just 4 increasing sizes.

Bob C.

#9

How could you possibly just have one?
I have them coming out of every portal.

Andrew

#10

Hans-Joerg Mueller said:

It’s fully electric, has sider ods that are driven by a single electric via an intermediate crank shaft. they are articulated i.e. two power trucks with the main body, containing a cab at either end and all the electrical gear, acting like a bridge between the two “snouts”.

Oh Hans, I love that locomotive. This is a popular locomotive with model railroaders in Europe. Am I correct?

In my opinion, she looks like some one threw a steamer and a diesel and an electric together and said “viola”.

Just a really nice neat little locomotive and I can see why you like this one.

Thanks

#11

Garratt Steam said:

How could you possibly just have one?
I have them coming out of every portal.

Andrew

Andrew you’re so funny.

LOL

#12

BTW, I also like the Shay. It has a very unique look and purpose.

#13

There are many variations of Krokodiles in NG and SG. Austria, France, Germany and Switzerland have about 10 or 12 different types. But the RhB Krok has the nicest look about it.

#14

I agree. The picture you posted is really nice and I love the look of this particular locomotive.

Kind of funny. The GG1 did not make my list because as a child, my grandmother brought me to a train station once in NYC. Anyway, I was only 5 years old, but this really big locomotive came by real slowly near the platform. I was about a few feet back, but it scarred the hell out me. I literally cried because I thought the monster was going to get me.

Seriously, I actually had nightmares about that locomotive. Today, I still get bad vibes from this locomotive and cannot stand near or next to one without feeling fear.

Confounding.

#15

Stacey,

My total stable of locos is one each:

Bachmann K27, 36T Shay, the first run Cimax, the Heisler, and the Connie. Do you see a pattern here :).

Bob C.

#16

Bob Cope said:

Stacey,

My total stable of locos is one each:

Bachmann K27, 36T Shay, the first run Cimax, the Heisler, and the Connie. Do you see a pattern here :).

Bob C.

I could recommend a psychologist…:slight_smile:

I got you Bob.

BTW. I know this love affair for certain types of locomotives is like a disease. I know I have several diseases!!! Help…LOL LOL

I like the K27. I just brought up a picture of one before I responded. really nice looking and can see why you like this one in particular.

#17

One locomotive. It would have to be the Climax. I saw one when I was maybe 11 or 12. The pistons were flailing away, and the jack-shaft was spinning like mad, and the thing was rocketing down the rails so fast, that I could keep up by just walking fast along side of her. It was just so Rube Goldberg I couldn’t help but like that machine. I have one of the original Bachmann ones in large scale, and I have 2 in HO. I also rode behind one down in Durbin. If I was only allowed one, that would be it.

(http://www.largescaleonline.com/eimages/lsolpics/Team_Member_Pics/mystic/David-Maynard-Climax-2.jpg)

#18

David,

If you’re ever up in new Hampshire, be sure to stop by Clark’s trading post. They have a beautiful Climax which operates most every day in the tourist season (now thru foliage). Being a non-FRA restricted operation, you can often get a much closer look at the engine than you might expect. The engine is a standard gauge, wood-burning model and was originally used for logging in NH. The loco was re-boilered a few years back, so we can expect to have it running for many many more years.

#19

Of the ones you listed, none. All but the A5 are too big for my layout, and as for the A5 Aristo switcher, the damn wheels are falling off. :open_mouth:

My choice:

#20

Shays…all of them…