2006-10-09 00:19:05 · 6 answers · asked by stan 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Rail
the trans siberian railWAY in russia
2006-10-09 00:22:50 · answer #1 · answered by handsomedev2001 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The longest freight train in the world was a 684 car, iron ore train in Australia that was over 4 miles long. It was pulled by 8 Diesel Electric Locomotives.
As for locomotive wise, the UP Big Boy is indeed the biggest.
2006-10-09 16:13:02 · answer #2 · answered by crazyace777 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
If speaking of locomotives, the UP indeed operated the largest steam locomotive in the form of the "Big Boy", built by Alco. It had a 4-8-8-4 wheel arrangement with a "centipede" type tender.
UP also operated the largest "traction" locomotive in the form of the "Century". Built by Alco as well, this was a gas turbine powered electric locomotive (as opposed to the diesel electric). They were the largest and most powerful of this type to be built and operated. The problem was one of expensive maintenance as well as the extreme volume of one working. This noise pollution limited the scope of their service to largely unpopulated areas.
At least one of each survives. The Big Boy restoration project began some years back and I don't know of its status at this time. The Century, while preserved, I do not believe is in operating condition.
Addendum: Stan, I am very glad you asked this question as my research into the question has turned up some rather surprising information. Turns out, Alco's "Big Boy" wasn't really the top of the heap. At least, not where it counts. Here is what I found out.
Baldwin, and the 2-8-8-4s it built for the Duluth, Messabe & Iron Range in 1941, reign as an unpublicized king. A brief comparison of some parameters of the Alco and Baldwin:
Wheelbase, engine and tender: Alco, 117'7" Baldwin, 113'5"
Weight on drivers: Alco, 540,000 lb. Baldwin, 560,257 lb.
Weight, engine and tender: Alco, 1,104,200 lb. Baldwin, 1,131,675 lb.
Tractive force: Alco 133,375 lb. Baldwin, 140,000 lb.
So, the "Big Boy" is 4'2" longer in the wheel base, and that's it. The DM&IR locomotives had more weight on the drivers, a heavier overall engine, and higher tractive effort.
I stand corrected forever and always. And, I suspect I'll pick up a buck or two here and there with the occasional wager, armed with this new bit of trivia. Thanks for asking again.
2006-10-10 19:19:49 · answer #3 · answered by Samurai Hoghead 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Don't know if it's actually the biggest, but the Union Pacific 'Big Boy' must be a contender. It was the longest steam loco ever built, but not the heaviest at 540 tons. They could pull trains up a modest gradient weighing at 3300 tons!
2006-10-09 08:23:55 · answer #4 · answered by gfminis 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The love train is the biggest, then comes the soul train!!!
2006-10-09 13:57:49 · answer #5 · answered by sugarstick 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
http://www.steamlocomotive.com/articulated/
look here, you will find information on 2-8-8-8-2,2-8-8-8-4, and 2-10-10-2's
the first two types had three eight wheel driver sections and the last had two five axle drive sections. does anyone know if any of the engines are in museums somewhere? particularly the first two types
2006-10-12 19:34:13 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋