SP&S No. 700 is a 4-8-4, also known as "Northern" by the SP&S, UP and other railroads. In other parts of the country, a 4-8-4 was called a "Niagara," "Dixie," "Confederation," or one (or more) of several other names. The 4-8-4 was also one of the largest non-articulated steam locomotives.
Gonna pop in a decade and a half late and add that 700 isn't just _a_ Northern but she's actually the _last_ True Northern, as she's the last surviving member of the class for which the type was named. (700 is really just a Northern Pacific A3 with an oil bunker)
Actually the steamer usually only has a diesel as a helper going through the hills in order to save wear and tear on the steam engine. The diesel gives a little bit of grunt on the uphill and most importantly it provides dynamic braking on the other side. Also the train almost always has a power car to supply the juice to the rest of the train. Yes, the companies are paranoid but they don't put a diesel in the train as much as you think. Nice vid by the way.
great shots i was on the return trip from Billings to Sand Point was in the first dome car entire trip We stopped near Toston for a photo shoot. It was cold October morning I took a video of this thing with all the steam as it made the pass what a shot what an adventure will remember it for ever
she looks great as does that F45!
I can't believe that You got me and my whole family in that video at segment 2:59
SP&S No. 700 is a 4-8-4, also known as "Northern" by the SP&S, UP and other railroads. In other parts of the country, a 4-8-4 was called a "Niagara," "Dixie," "Confederation," or one (or more) of several other names.
The 4-8-4 was also one of the largest non-articulated steam locomotives.
Gonna pop in a decade and a half late and add that 700 isn't just _a_ Northern but she's actually the _last_ True Northern, as she's the last surviving member of the class for which the type was named.
(700 is really just a Northern Pacific A3 with an oil bunker)
Actually the steamer usually only has a diesel as a helper going through the hills in order to save wear and tear on the steam engine. The diesel gives a little bit of grunt on the uphill and most importantly it provides dynamic braking on the other side. Also the train almost always has a power car to supply the juice to the rest of the train. Yes, the companies are paranoid but they don't put a diesel in the train as much as you think. Nice vid by the way.
great shots i was on the return trip from Billings to Sand Point was in the first dome car entire trip We stopped near Toston for a photo shoot. It was cold October morning I took a video of this thing with all the steam as it made the pass what a shot what an adventure will remember it for ever
October 2002.
@ALS2001 Amen to that! :)
It hurts knowing the F45s were scrapped only a few years later...
@mongo5888 Heay, at least it wasnt no GE, but an old F45 warrior!
The Soviet 14-coupled was a 4-14-4 and was intended for coal trains coming north out of the Don coalfield. The rigid wheelbase proved just too long.