Been a long time lurker of the sub for a while, finally got good enough photos of this locomotive to share with you all

I purchased this photo years ago, before I was really into trains. I collect photos of the building in the middle, for the siren on top. But now that I am a train fellow, I get extra value from the photo!

This popped up on my screen on my browser, so the info I give here, I got from there. The first engine is a DM&I that had a top speed of 45mph. Its tractive force was 140,093. It could pull 281 fully loaded iron ore cars.

The next engine is a Norfolk & Westerm class Y6a with a tractive force of 166,000 and a top speed of 50MPH. It could pull 331 fully loaded cars.

The next engine is a Virginian Railways XA. It had a tractive force of 166,000 but could only manage 5MPH! It could pull 333 fully loaded cars.

The next engine an Erie P1. It had a tractive force of 176,256. But it could only manage a top speed of 10MPH. This an the previous engine great examples of drag engines. It could pull 352 fully loaded cars.

The next engine is a Virginia AE. It had a tractive force of 176,256 but as a true drag engine, it could only manage 10MPH. It had the ability to pull 350 fully loaded cars.

This UP 4014 is not one of the five. I included it because everyone has seen it, and wonder how powerful it really is. The last picture is of the Union Pacific Big Boy 4014. It had a tractive force of 135,375. Its top speed was 80MPH. It could pull 125 fully loaded cars. And even though it is not one of the most powerful, the dynamics of it make it one of the best freight engines ever made.

I spent the whole day chasing this beast from station to station along the scenic, non-electrified lines.

Hearing that massive General Motors V16 engine screaming at Notch 8 while struggling with an incredibly heavy cargo was an absolute dream come true for a railfan.

If you want to hear the raw, pure acoustic symphony (including a legendary cold start-up and heavy acceleration), here it is.

SP 9715 leads a Santa Margarita Turn southbound on the Coast, January 2001. This train was stopping at San Lucas, Wunpost, and Paso Robles, California on this day.

Canon A-1
Canon FD 100-200mm ƒ5.6
Kodak Supra 100.

Westbound train.

I remember this unit from a video by BaltimoreAndOhioRR called "CSX Plays Musical Train Engines". And the nostalgia really hits hard every time I watch it again. Though sadly, 8666 was sold and scrapped by 2021.