I have had the opportunity to run locomotives from the major builders along with Montreal and Juniata. I can't really say that any one sticks out as being better or worse. There are things I like and dislike about all of them.
Great Western #90 is pretty comfortable to run. N&W #475 has a cab arrangement almost identical to the EBT engines except there isn't as much room. CN #89 (CLW) is sweet to run but she is very lightly built. CN #31 (BLW)is decent to run, all bouncing aside, and she has lots of power and is built like a tank. Thomas (Porter) is amazing - lots of power, very reliable (a very useful engine). #1223 (Juniata) was a sweetheart albeit with an unusual cab arrangement and a bit of an attitude. She didn't like it if the other locomotives got more attention and showed her displeasure by breaking something at the most inopportune moment. #7002 (8063 Juniata) was a dog at Strasburg but when she hit 40 mph she came alive and performed beautifully up to 70, beyond which I cannot comment. CP #972 (Montreal) is an ugly engine to work on mechanically but a wonderful engine to run.
Overall, from a mechanical standpoint, Baldwins have caused me to say "what the hell were they thinking" more than any other manufacturer's products. In calculating stressed for form 4's, the K-28's were a dream and the K-36's were a nightmare. Pennsy engines can be a challange to calculate as well.
It appears to me that engines after the mid-20's were engineered more than previous locomotives. They also seem to run closer to minimum standards where stresses are concerned. The EBT engines showed a progression of "thinking" through the three classes that is somewhat baffling where brace stress is concerned. It seems they decided to try something different to save some money on the middle class and then gave it up on the last class. They never did get it right with backhead flexi's on any of the classes. All are Baldwins. I enjoyed running all three classes.
It is difficult to fairly comment on workmanship since most locomotives went through a lot of roundhouse repairs since being built. An exception for me is #7002 which was rebuilt rather extensively and never operated until we put her in service. The workmanship appeared to be very good until we fired her up. What a mess. From stories I have heard from old heads, leaky, malfunctioning new locomotives were not uncommon in the glory days.
From my experience and from what I have been told, the first fire-up of a new steam locomotive, regardless of who built it, would probably cause coronary failure in today's world of high expectations.
