Steam locomotive?

Question

Why did they get rid of steamers?I think they were more powerful and efficient than diesel trains are.My granduncle used to work for the railroad,and he remembers the old steamers.He was sad to see them go.I've always wanted to see one run,or even ride in the cab of one!

Answer 1

diesel is more efficient thus overwriting the "steamers"

Answer 2

Steam locomotives are less powerful, less efficient, more polluting, need water to be supplied regularly, uncomfortable for drivers, noisy etc. That is why they were phased out, when diesel and electric locos came.

Answer 3

They require much more maintenance.And are more expensive to keep running.

As a side note China was still building and using steamers up until the late 1970's. China at that time was poor,but there labor was cheap and they had plenty of coal.

Answer 4

Kylie-

I am a member of Niles Canyon Railway in Sunol, CA.  We have two operating 2-6-2 Locomotives and are currently working on our 3rd.

The maintenance requirements for bi-weekly operations is very extensive and expensive.  Though these are really nice to see in operations, our environmental permits must be kept up to date, and cost almost as much as the maintenance of these beasts.

Steam as the other folks have pointed out was mainly phased out because of the cost of operation and the pressure on pollution control.  Union Pacific is currently feeling some of the same issues in their Roseville Yard as the city of Sacramento is requested they shut down ideling locomotives or place scrubber hoods over the stacks.  Eventhough, these are diesels, the railroads and under pressure to keep their fuel emissions to a minimum.

As for getting a ride, well depending on where you are located there are many excursions available in California.

The California Western Railroad, (Fort Bragg to Willits)

Roaring Camp & Big Trees Railroad, (Felton, CA)

Niles Canyon Railway, (Sunol, CA)

Yosemite Valley & Sugar Pine Railroad, (Sonora, CA)

Sacramento Northern Short Line, (Sacramento, CA)

Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, (Durango, CO)

Cumbres and Toltec Railroad, (Chama, NM)

Jamestown Railroad Museum, (Jamestown, CA)

Portola Valley Railroad Museum, (Portola, CA)

Here check this out:

www.railserve.com

That is going to give you the most complete listing of current excursions for both steam and diesel.  

Just for the record, the Friends of the 4449 Club out of Portland, Oregon also does excursions behind the Southern Pacific GS-4 #4449.  She is a beauty, and my absolute favorite locomotive.  I have 8 different HO Scale models of her from plastic to Brass, and composite, and 1 "O" Scale Model of her from Sunset that was a Limited Edition run.  

Enjoy your trains!