Does anybody know if there were ever any proposed CB&Q steam but never built or diesel for that matter? I'm guessing that the "Q" must have been in good shape motive-wise thru the 1930s and going into World War II because the only additions to the roster were additional O5s in what.. 1940? Burlington had a huge number of 2-8-2s and I wonder if that's why no true freight power was bought after the 2-10-4s of 1927. The war didn't catch the "Q" short motive-power and I guess with the addition of the FTs and E5s they must have been in good shape.
I'd like to know if there might have been a hint of additional steam power being purchased during the war. I'm trying to find a reason to have a "Q" 2-8-4 that might have been based somewhat in fact. I may just do it anyway since I like NKP 2-8-4s a lot. I've never seen or read anything about the "Q" having any shortages of motive-power or considering additional purchases. If the "Q" would have been forced to buy motive power during the war they may not have been allowed to use their own designs like the Milwaukee (S3 4-8-4s). Would they have chosen to buy an engine like the S3 or a Lima NKP style 2-8-4?
Any diesels for that matter? Obviously Burlington was wedded to EMD from the start. I've read something about possible purchases of E6s but other than that zip, nada (and that might have been just rumor... can't remember where I read that). About the only weird thing in post-war motive purchases were the F3 sets for the CZ. I've always wondered why a three unit set of Fs when the DZ did fine being assigned two Es? And this did change two 2 Es after a while but what was the original reason... maybe something as simple as no slots for E7s open at EMD but the "Q" could get F3s? Maybe the thought was 3 Es was overkill with horsepower but 3 Fs was just right?
Some random musings,