-> -> That is correct, Dreams are Free. As stated by another poster it i
-> -> totally impractical Dream also. At 250 Tons of Coal and 600 some
-> -> gallons of water per mile or so just the logistics of handling tha
-> -> makes it impractical. When you combine that with the Very limited
-> -> places it can go because of it's size and weight it becomes even m
-> -> of a dream.
->
-> Hmmmmm, I wonder just how impractical it really is though. Union
-> Pacific wouldn't be keeping Challenger #3985 in operating condition
-> and use, even for PR purposes, if there wasn't some practicality to
-> it. And a 4-6-6-4 doesn't have that much more freedom of movement
-> than a 4-8-8-4, IMHO. #3985 made it over Cajon Pass and down through
-> San Berdoo, Riverside and Ontario, Calif. just a few years ago
-> pulling an excursion train without any trouble. THAT was  wonderful
-> sight to see!
  Another point is though is that Oil Conversion is not practical. In
the Early Big Boy years they tried oil and had problems. The logistics
of supplying the Coal makes it mostly a dream. Still lots of it
available of course but having it in the right place at the right time
with the loading equipment is quite a problem.
--- Platinum Xpress/386/Wildcat! v1.3
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