Why can't we get scenes like this in the US?!?

Bobharbison · **Joined:** Fri Dec 03, 2004 9:42 pm **Posts:** 3011

p51 wrote:

Taylor Rush wrote:

We do have scenes like that. Back in 2007 the SP 4449 and UP 844 put on a pretty good show rampaging around Washington.

Yes, what an incredible run that was, too! I'm not sure what speeds they were going but they were downright hauling when I saw them tearing through Aurburn, Northbound out of Tacoma.

When I asked the engine crew about that I was told that the authorized top speed for that excursion was 60 mph.

Any time I was able to actually verify the speed, either on board using GPS or via pacing, they were holding to that limit as far as I could determine. They were also doing every bit of it whenever they possibly could, and double headed 4-8-4's at 60 mph are pretty danged impressive.

alzubal · **Joined:** Sun Aug 22, 2004 9:05 am **Posts:** 118

My son and I were talking today and we would rather see or ride behind doubled headed anything steam from Scranton Pa. To Rouses Point N.Y. at 35 or 45 Then behind steam any ware at 60 or 80 mph.
Al

p51 · **Posted:** Sat Mar 10, 2012 8:15 pm

Never underestimate the feel of speed with steam. I have no idea how fast they were going, but I leaned out the side of the tool car on a NS excursion returning from Valdosta GA to Jacksonville, FL in the late 80s, and I can't say how fast we were going that night, but I'd think it was whatever the speed limit for the main line south was.
Probably somewhere between 50-60, but it felt like light speed.