This was the best spot I could think to post this. So was browsing http://newbuildsteam.com/ and I'm amazed at the number of new build/modifications that are going on in the UK. Not only are new steam locomotives like the Tornado being built, but some plentiful classes are being modified into replicas of long scrapped locos. What I'm wondering is why is there no thought of doing this in North America? Is it a mentality thing? Are the British more passionate about their railways and steam than we are here in North America? Just on a lark, I did a bit of looking, and with 6 CB&Q hudsons still extant, and the drivers 1" smaller (78" vs 79"), use one as a base to build a replica of an NYC J1 or something similar, or start from scratch. For that matter, why not look at rebuilding a classic diesel like a DL109? That should be easier to do than a new steam locomotive. Just thought I'd throw this topic out there, as it's something I've been wondering for awhile. Regards, Dan MacKellar
I can't recall where I saw the article, but there Is a group, using an old locomotive and new technology in developing STEAM power, using Coal for a new generation of Steam locomotives!!!
the "modern" steam project died, back in the 1980's...C&O 614 was ran in revenue service back then. As for building a new steamer, WHERE will you run it? Even SP 4449 has had less runs, and usually on shortlines. As for rebuilding a CB&Q 4-6-4 into a NYC unit, losing a CB&Q to get a fake, to me is a shame. As much as Iwould love to see a Southern Pacific 4-8-2, I would be pissed ifthey made it out of something else.
Probably we are more passionate, using a CB&Q Hudson as a "base" for an NYC unit, well CB&Q fans will be upset as they should have just restored the CB&Q unit as is, where NYC fans will probably be upset for as its a CB&Q unit, not a true NYC J
One thing that I think factors into why it hasn't happened is cost. I say this as if it were to happen, it would most likely be a private group, so they would have to find ways to raise the funds to under take such a task. Seeing as it would be a huge expense to build one, nobody can afford to do so. It would be nice if it happened though...
Univ. of Minn. research......http://www.tgdaily.com/sustainabili...am-locomotive-tomorrow-s-cleaner-mass-transit
I agree that cost is a major factor. Another is we cannot compare the UK to the USA. Over there you will note a much greater national passion for their rail history. In the USA, while there are plenty of true railfans, the general public is too obsessed with other entertainment. We do have museums and preservation, but somehow such enterprises are treated more like curiosities than valuable national assets.
wow, I just don't see how this will work, and we will lose a great Hudson. Steam was not removed from the American freight railroads due to performance or cost of the loco/fuel, they were killed off due to the cost of maintaining them and the equipment needed to run them! Watch a "modern" stem loco run, say UP 844...she is able to pull a train with the best of them, but she requires stops for water every 100-150 miles, and when stopped, 2 men get out and lube her down. She also needs to be fired hours before being ran to get enough steam preasure to run, then you have the maximum numbers of hours that she can run before being inspected by the FRA, pluse the flew replacements....I love steam, but I can not see how this makes ANY sence. With this project, you will see the return of water towers with a water treatment center and coal biscut towers....
Interesting subject to me. Everything everyone said above, especially cost. No way a CB&Q Hudson could be made to resemble a New York Central Hudson. Different builders, and fans are extremely territorial. That in itself is a problem, as there were so many different railroads back in steam days. About 20 years ago as a renewed steam nut, and a very naive one, I attempted to get a "Let's build a NYCS Hudson" thing going. I figured we could get one built by Tsang-Shen (sp) in China, the blueprints were available from the NYCS Historical Society, piece of cake, right? Wrong. I contacted a lot of people, NYCS veterans, Al Staufer, and others. Much later, a guy in New York tried to get interest up in a project like this. Lots of verbal support, no financial support. I would LOVE to see a NYCS Hudson built from the ground up, and after lamenting our loss of manufacturing capability in the US I have discovered that there still exist companies that might be able to say, cast an engine frame like the General Steel Castings company used to do on a many a day basis. There are facilities that can still bend inch + thick steel into boiler shells. No question that it could be done technically, but the financial implications are staggering. I could go on and on.
I am afraid that is all we will see happen. Hacked up by people who have no clue. Yup. Absolutely true. Plus the added expense today imposed by bureaucracy, at all levels, who were never even alive during actual steam operation days. Oh, but they know all about safety and how it should be done to maintain these beasts.
Regardless of whether you do "New Build" in UK, USA or elsewhere, it will almost certainly be a "group" project, rather than the rail company's project. As a volunteer scheme, then, you've got to raise the money - it might attract some form of lottery grant in the group's part of the world, but it might not - and progress depends on having the money. I've seen TORNADO run, and what a sight, but please remember how long it took to develop from 'idea' to 'running' Regards, Pete Davies
One thing with the Biocoal test, one thing the creators are looking for is a high speed steam loco that can go something like 130 mph. The problem I see is that they want to show that high speed steam can be viable, but seeing as we are hesitant to adopt high speed passenger rail, I don't really see them being able to convince anyone to put this into wide spread use. Especially when it is expensive to maintain steam locomotives and you will end up angering half of the railfan community for using a wonderful old locomotive (from a type of which there are few in existance in the first place. In other words why a hudson!)
