I was very impressed with the K-28's ability to steam under load vs the K-36's struggle to keep steam up. If you got behind (which you shouldn't to begin with) on a K-28, you could get it back alot easier than the K-36.
As far as the geared stuff, the proof is in the number sold.
I like Lima the best for the standard gauge rod engines. Their stuff was meant to pull, AT SPEED. If only Rudolf had been about 10 years later, I think we would have seen even more neat stuff out of steam. I believe we would have ended up in the same spot regardless, however.
But there is another really interesting question. We have talked about the builders and which one was the best, but which railroad was best at utilizing the right locomotive for the right job?? The C&O Allegeny would have been great for fast freight, but was used on slow coal drags instead. What a waste!! At least the NKP used the Berks for what they were designed to do!
Ryan