p51 posted:TexasSP posted:They weren't simply going bigger just to go bigger.Yeah, they clearly wanted to go for headlines. Not only would they have the largest steam locomotive currently running (a fact that could change on any given day), they wanted to say they had the largest one ever made.
It makes for excellent copy for a non-train-fan writer/editor.
Beats me why so many people in the hobby can't see the simple logic behind that.
You're confusing two different things I am discussing, which may mean I haven't been clear. As to UP's use of big motive power in the past, I am saying they weren't doing this simply to be bigger for bigger's sake. They were seeking efficiency.
As to the current use of the BB, I agree, it was bigger for bigger's sake, more marketing than anything.
Going back on comments about Ed, to be clear, I didn't know him from Adam when he took over. I do not like the direction UP and he have taken the steam program. I think it will be a mistake. What makes me not like him as a person is the negative comments against the former steam crew (who I also don't know) that ran a successful operation for 30+ years.
