Livio Dante Porta, designed and upgraded steam locomotives so advanced they were still being used in the 90's for coal drags in Argentina. And, being built in South Africa as recently as the early 2000's. Funny the Norfolk and Western kept from transition because the cost in in running a Y6b and a i think it was a F6 A-B-B-A set was a draw in 1952.
Today a few things have changed, outside of high elevations where steam engines start to run into problems, their lack of fussiness of over fuel quality puts them ahead.
i have observed many steam engines to this day still pulling their weight. What was it US 844 was being pulled to an event when the diesel electric broke down. it ended up hauling it and the who train on it own to the event. Challenger is known for pulling freight trains still. funny thing steam engines may have hammer blow, but they guiding trucks tend to be gentler on track and keeping it in gauge.
Well enough rattling on about what I have read. thank you for theexcerpt.
One thing (among many others) that modern steam advocates seem to be glossing over; Pollution laws, especially particulate matter standards. A turbocharged EMD 710 can no longer meet the newest standards, how are you going to do it with a coal burning, or even oil burning steam locomotive? GAME OVER. Be happy we can still take the old ones out and play with them. I could certainly see a day when even THAT won't be possible.
