Re: Smoothest riding class of NG power?

Back to your original question. I have ridden in my share of engine cabs, some SG and a few NG. One consideration in all this is condition of the track, and other factors like switching. In 1984 the first steam place we stayed at was Waterval Boven, in South Africa. We went there because there was a 3-days a week ballast train operating to Breyten, one of the last Garratt workings in South Africa. The night before our chase, we got invited inside the cab of a GMAM Garratt that was switching the yard. It was rough, and once I was thrown into the backhead of the boiler when we slammed into some freight cars ahead of us. So that was really rough, but maybe not a fair comparison to what you are asking for.
I rode 489 in 2014 and it was pretty smooth riding I thought. But remember the trackage is in great shape compared to say 30 years ago. I rode a German 4-6-2 at a steady 72 mph (120 k's) and it was pretty smooth, but it was mainline trackage(1975). That was a three-cylinder by the way!I guess what I am saying is the only way to really compare what is a good or bad riding engine is if you could test them all on the same track conditions to give a fair determination. Interesting subject though.
Greg Scholl
PS We just came out with this cab ride video this fall, putting 5 different engines in the video(No NG though). Here is a link to the preview and listing if you want to see a bit.
[www.gregschollvideo.com]



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/12/2017 06:15PM by Greg Scholl.