Atlas 2-Bay Open Hopper

What railroad do you favor? Eastern or Western? What type of line - mine branch, mountain main line, or flat land main line? As one example, the Atlas cars are very close to a series used on the C&O. A C&O USRA 2-6-6-2 would be appropriate for hauling shorter trains of hoppers from remote mines on steep, curving branches in WV to marshalling yards. 2-8-8-2's, or later

2-6-6-6's, might then be most appropriate for the main line coal drags out of the mountains. The C&O often used 2-8-4's on coal drags on the gentle down hill line along the James River in VA from Clifton Forge to the coal piers at Newport News. For coal going north to Lake Erie ports across the more rolling lines in OH, the C&O often used 2-10-4's. For another railroad in another place, the answers will be different. Gary Q

Good answer, Gary. OTOH, prior to 1943, the eastern coal would get a K-2 or K-3 Mike, and the branch lines would as like get an H-4 or H-6. Heck, they were mainline power, too. The PRR had an entirely different set of motive power, as did the B&O, Western Maryland, etc. But "bottom line," the coal train was drag freight -- lots of torque, not a great deal of speed. Gene ABV61-1043.001.HCB

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Geezer and Steam Gene ...

Thanks so much for the great information! I really appreciate it. I'm looking to drag a coal train from 'hidden staging' onto a fictitious layout. I have a 2-8-8-2 which will be a terrific option. Could I add a caboose to this train?