Subject:
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Re: Streamlining (was Re: New MOC: Dark Red LMS 4F 0-6-0 Freight Locomotive)
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Newsgroups:
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lugnet.trains
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Date:
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Mon, 19 Aug 2002 17:12:28 GMT
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Viewed:
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924 times
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In lugnet.trains, Frank Filz writes:
> Jason J Railton wrote:
> > US steam engines show a lot of external widgets too, and their diesels are
> > fairly blocky. Why bother with aerodynamics when you're not tied to
> > emissions quotas? Just use a bigger engine.
>
> I'm not sure that lack of streamlining in US locomotives is due to lack
> of emission controls. I suspect it's far more because trains aren't
> operated at speeds which require it. Note that the Amtrack locomotives
> are reasonably streamlined (though still not as streamlined as a bullet
> train, but then they don't operate at those speeds). American rail
> freight is mostly stuff which doesn't need fast travel (stuff which has
> to travel fast goes by truck for short distances, or air for longer
> distances). Probably the single largest cargo, coal, just needs to be
> delivered on a consistent schedule (and you really don't want to try an
> accelerate a coal drag to high speeds).
>
> It does make it a lot easier to model US locomotives in LEGO though :-)
>
> Frank
Streamlining was used b/c of the Pionner Zephyr. Then streamlining was put on
PRR K4 3768 and turned out to be a flashy locomotive. Other railroads did the
same but they found that it tampered with maintence, which was more important
then looking flashy so they tore it off.
Then the Milwaukee Road ordered high speed 4-4-2's with 84" drivers(thats
really big) that were streamlined. Then in the late 1930's the Southern Pacific
started to march around its fleety of GS-4's and GS-5's with the Daylight
scheme. The Norfolk and Western J class engines were some of the finest and
they were among the last of the streamlining. The N&W also streamlined some of
their Mountain(K2 class) which were another type of passenger train engine.
Streamlining did very little to increase speed. The four axle trailing truck
enabled a greater size firebox which increases the heating area to make the
engine faster. Superheating, track pans, and boosters all made engines faster
and streamlining actually didn't do as much.
Dan
Oh, i decided on the length of my cab, its 6x7.(topic Steam)
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