Norfolk and Western 611

[silentflyer]

As a taxpayer in Va. as long as they don't ask for public funds, good deal.

 

[mjr]

Having chased the 844 across Wyoming, I was extremely impressed at how FAST those buggers go. It never really dawned on me that they would routinely roar away at 100+MPH on the straights.

Well, 120 years ago, in 1893, the New York Central & Hudson River RR No. 999--a 4-4-0 with huge driving wheels--is said to have reached 112.5 mph along one stretch of track. Doubt has been cast on this record over the years, but even allowing for public relations department exaggeration, it's clear steam locos built for speed could deliver. The biggest limitation on speed was the quality of the track.

My least favorite line in one of my favorite movies--The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance--is at the end when Ransom and Hallie Stoddard are on the train heading back east, and the conductor brags that they're going to making twenty-five miles an hour! That train at that time should have been making 55 mph minimum, and probably faster.

 

[Peter M. Eick]

I understand, I just never thought about it. It was not till I was hitting the engine RPM limiter of the Toyota truck trying to keep up that it really sunk in.

I am just glad there is not much (any) traffic on highway 30 in central wyoming that day.