Is it really true that an average Pacific, Mikado, or even Northern did not develop much horsepower ?

Question

Compared to your modern Dash 8 or newer diesel ?

Answer 1

Compared to a modern diesel or to a DVD? you are not comparing like animals here. All diesels would out pull steam at low speeds. And a Mikado would out pull a Pacific at low speeds but the Pacific would run much faster (hence it's primary use as a passenger locomotive). A Northern would handily outdo both as it was a much newer, bigger, heavier, etc, design. And you are talking tractive effort (or tractive power, depending on who you talk to) here. And at a designated speed. Everyone talks hp but it's only a very basic indicator and is modified by gearing, traction and several other factors. There were steam engines that put out more hp than modern diesels but the diesels still can out pull them.

Answer 2

you are correct.

and they also lacked in tractive effort and effiency.

Your average tractive effort for these types of steam locomotives would be in the 70,000 pound range

Effeciany, as a example, you could have a train powered by steam going at 60 mph, and then have a diesel powered train (EMD F3s)  going at 50 mph (with af couse the same amount of tonnage and route.) The diesel train will get to the destination first, because the steamer has to stop every so often to top off on water.

Answer 3

It depends.  There are of course variables in play.

The engines you have referred to were eclipsed in starting tractive effort by even a first generation SD40 or even a brace of the venerable F7s.

Pacific's were designed primarily for passenger service and are pretty unimpressive insofar as stats are concerned.  The heaviest of these as out-shopped by Baldwin in 1928, with a total weight of 313,800 lbs. and boasting 45,850 ft/lbs of tractive effort, compared to 105,000 for the lowly SD40.

The "Mikes" were sub-categorized as "light" or "heavy" under USRA (the forerunner to the FRA) specifications.  Of the heavy Mikados, Schenectady out-shopped the largest between 1918 and 1923, tipping the scales at 335,300 lbs. with 60,500 ft/lbs of tractive effort.

Northern's were equally at home in freight or passenger service and were pretty husky beasts.  The heaviest of this class was out-shopped by Lima in 1942, with a total weight of 483,200 lbs. and 78,650 ft/lbs. of starting effort.  In addition, most of this class were equipped with "booster"s. This was a two cylinder affair that powered the trailing trucks under the firebox and produced an additional 13,000 ft/lbs. of much needed torque at starting.

So, these machines were totally eclipsed by the time the second generation of diesel-electrics started plying the rails of the USA.  

Good question.