Would Santa Fe streamliner type cars have ever been run behind a Mikado or Pacific steam loco?
Thanks,
JimC.
Update:
I bought a set of four SF Streamliners yesterday: :] 2-coaches, 1- VistaDome, 1-Dining car. This is no longer a technical question for me. Someday when I save up some more $$$$$$$, I will get an Observation.
JimC.
Jim,
The first streamlined Budd cars arrived on the Santa Fe about 1937 for use on the Super Chief. Most of the railroad was in steam at that point and many steamers pulled various ATSF passenger trains during their early years through WWII and probably through 1948 or so. There was even a streamlined 4-6-4, number 3460 and a semi-streamlined 4-6-2 in the 1300 series.
First off, a railroad did whatever they had to do to move the trains. During this period 4-8-4’s and 4-8-2’s along with 4-6-2’s were the approved passenger power as were the early E unit diesels where available. The heavier 4-8-4’s and 4-8-2’s would be the most likely steam types for the name trains but certainly 4-6-2’s would have been pressed into service when needed. 4-6-2 types were often used as front end helpers on these trains, even helping the diesels. If there was a power shortage of passenger engines a railroad would not hesitate to assign the “wrong type” of engine to pull the train although of course the named trains would get preference for the correct power. Freight engines were generally smaller drivered and less able to keep up the speed needed to maintain schedules.
Freight types such as 2-8-2’s or 2-10-2’s could be found as helpers on passenger trains too. Some railroads did assign the 2-8-2 type to passenger trains regularly, such as the standard gauge Colorado & Southern and I believe the Denver & Salt Lake but this was because of mountainous territory with its heavier grades and normally on more local trains.
Also it was quite common for there to be a couple of heavyweight baggage or RPO cars on the front end of anotherwise streamlined consist because the Santa Fe didn’t have enough streamlined head end cars. An excuse to have a couple on the front of your streamlined consist if you wish.
A 2-8-2 helper double headed with a 4-6-2 as road engine would be legitimate although proably not the norm. Since the 4-8-2 or 4-8-4 types aren’t available for Santa Fe yet I would certainly utilise what you have just as a real RR would do if needed. This would seem legitimate, even if not so common, for the period up to 1948 or so.
Richard,
Thanks for a great explanation.
JimC.