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?