Allegheny: More Powerful Than Big Boy — Still Not Powerful Enough to Survive

The C&O Allegheny was one of the most powerful steam locomotives ever built — and by some measures, it could outperform the legendary Union Pacific Big Boy. So why did the Allegheny disappear? In this video, we explore the C&O H-8 Allegheny, compare it with the Union Pacific Big Boy, and uncover why extraordinary horsepower wasn't enough to save even the greatest steam locomotives from the diesel era. From tractive effort and horsepower to operating economics and the decline of steam, this is the story of a locomotive that reached incredible levels of power just as the railroad industry was changing forever. Topics: C&O Allegheny, Allegheny locomotive, Big Boy locomotive, steam locomotive, C&O H-8, Union Pacific Big Boy, most powerful steam locomotive, steam vs diesel. Subscribe for more stories about legendary locomotives and railroad history.