Santa Fe vs Berkshire

[Amazingdeath]

Hey y'all, I'm planning on buying one of the large locomotives soon and wanted to hear your opinions on these two trains. I'm stuck trying to decide which of these I should go with. I really like the extra range the Berkshire provides but the Santa Fe has just a wee bit more tractive effort but weighs a lot less. I know a lot comes down to personal preference but I'm curious as to which locomotive you all would choose

[CredibilityProblem]

I think the Berk is a better looking engine on a purely aesthetic sense.

From a practicality stance it should be noted that the Berk doesn't fit on the turntable at Dills if running tender first irks you.

Obviously the Santa Fe is going to be the best at getting stuff up to Andrews in general. It really depends on what you are intending to do with it.

[Rockymnt]

I know you didn't list it as an option but consider a GP9 diesel if you are looking for range. The diesels are unbeatable for range and tractive effort is good. I realize most people want to run steam though..

[heracles87]

Originally posted by CredibilityProblem:

I think the Berk is a better looking engine on a purely aesthetic sense.

From a practicality stance it should be noted that the Berk doesn't fit on the turntable at Dills if running tender first irks you.

Obviously the Santa Fe is going to be the best at getting stuff up to Andrews in general. It really depends on what you are intending to do with it.

Thats not a big deal just turn it at the Y up the line.

[AshHill07]

The only real question between the two is power vs range. The Berk is probably better for passenger workings where you might want it doing multiple runs of the route without taking on Coal or Water to often. But for any other reason you're probably better off with the Santa Fe.

And yes, the Berk does fit on both turntables, including the one at Dillsboro.

[kildar501]

Originally posted by CredibilityProblem:

I think the Berk is a better looking engine on a purely aesthetic sense.

From a practicality stance it should be noted that the Berk doesn't fit on the turntable at Dills if running tender first irks you.

Obviously the Santa Fe is going to be the best at getting stuff up to Andrews in general. It really depends on what you are intending to do with it.

The Berk does fit on the turntable at both locations now. That was fixed in a previous update.

Regarding which locomotive, it depends on the use. The drivers on the Berk are made more for high speed on flatter ground. That is why they were so popular on the old Nickel Plate Road. Large freight trains being hauled at high speed across Indiana and Ohio. It would be better suited for the passenger trains up the Red Marble Grade. Freights would probably need a helper, double heading or splitting the train.

The Santa Fe is more of a low to mid speed range lugger better suited for drag freight type work. Obviously, the tender capacity is less but you have ample watering opportunities on the line.

Really, it comes down to personal preference. I go for the Berk myself but I'm also a big fan of the NKP 765 running out of Ft Wayne soooooo.......

[Jarl of the Cwmbric]

I'd say skip getting a Pacific and get the Berkshire for passenger work. It and 7 passenger cars will fit in the station loop at Sylva and it will (just about) take the whole lot up the Red Marble Grade by itself.

The 2-10-2s are great for freight work up the grade, but even they can't handle much, so consider getting three and using one as a pusher for heavier trains. For me it took two 2-10-2s and three GP9s on the back to get a 3000 ton train up the grade westward.