The PRR J1s were based on the C&O 2-10-4, not the ATSF. ATSF had very generous clearances and built their locomotives bigger than would have been possible on most Eastern mainlines. Therefore, I would be cautious about assuming an ATSF 4-8-4 could be seen on any Eastern mainline. Obviously, if PRR could run ATSF 2-10-4s on certain lines, those lines, at least could accommodate them.
Best single source to compare 4-8-4s is THE NORTHERNS by Jack Ferrell and Mike Pearsall. It was published by PFM in 1975 -- a while ago, admittedly -- but if you find a copy, you will find it contains good clear illustrations of all the North American 4-8-4s, along with their basic dimensions. It is always dangerous to characterize one or another class of steam locomotive with vague superlatives -- biggest, strongest, most powerful. It's always subjective. Very seldom was a locomotive superlative in all dimensions, so it came down to what you want to emphasize. For example, the Northern Pacific A-5 class was only one ton lighter than the Santa Fe's 2900s, but had 3,800 pounds higher starting tractive effort. The ATSF 2900 4-8-4s were not that much different than the road's earlier Northerns, but were built during wartime (and somewhat against the Santa Fe's wishes; they wanted more Diesels but the War Production Board forced them to accept steam) when war priorities made a lot of lightweight alloys unavailable. From what I have read, the 2900s were unloved by the crews, too. With all due respect to American Models, to suggest an ATSF 2900 can masquerade as either a Rock Island or Lehigh Valley Northern is absolutely preposterous. There was a significant difference in size and principal dimensions with even the biggest Rock Island 4-8-4s (the R-67-b). The Lehigh Valley locomotives were not even close. Maybe the toy train operators won't care about the difference, but I would not expect a scale modeler to tolerate it. regards ... pqr ----- Original Message ----- From: "karnesrn" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Thursday, August 11, 2005 3:00 PM Subject: [S-Scale Modeling] Re: Santa Fe locos To answer the message below - The PRR's leased locos, I believe, were the Santa Fe type (2-10-4) upon which the PRR based its J-1 locos. I don't think PRR ever owned any 4-wheel-trailing-truck locos until the J's and the duplexes. (I'm sure the SPFs on this e-list will correct me if I'm wrong.) Dick Karnes =========== Date: Wed, 10 Aug 2005 14:24:13 -0400 From: "Tom Hawley" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: Fw: American Models loco Gentlemen - Somone laboring under the mis-concetption that I know something about trains sent me a question about the proposed AM 4-8-4. ¿Does anybody know the answer to the following? Tom Hawley, Lasiing MI Sent: Wednesday, August 10, 2005 12:48 PM Subject: American Models loco Are those the Santa Fe locos the Pennsy leased for use on the Columbus Sandusky line?? To REPLY to the list, use REPLY ALL; to reply to the sender, use REPLY. For those of you on DIGEST mode, all REPLY messages go to the list (remember to edit the SUBJECT of your message). Change message settings, use our CALENDAR or LINKS, view shared files or photos, view the list archives, GO TO http://groups.yahoo.com/group/S-Scale/ Yahoo! Groups Links To REPLY to the list, use REPLY ALL; to reply to the sender, use REPLY. For those of you on DIGEST mode, all REPLY messages go to the list (remember to edit the SUBJECT of your message). Change message settings, use our CALENDAR or LINKS, view shared files or photos, view the list archives, GO TO http://groups.yahoo.com/group/S-Scale/ Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/S-Scale/ <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
