While it was indeed a very powerful locomotive, with a massive 6,000 horsepower and capable of hauling heavy freight trains, it was surpassed in pulling power by other locomotives, such as:
* The "Challengers" (Union Pacific): These locomotives, while slightly smaller than Big Boy, actually had a higher tractive effort (the force used to move the train) than Big Boy, making them technically stronger.
* The "Mallets" (various railroads): These locomotives, using a complex articulated design, often had even higher tractive effort than both Big Boy and the Challengers.
It's important to remember that "strongest" can be interpreted in different ways. While Big Boy may not have been the strongest in terms of pulling power, it was certainly one of the most powerful and impressive steam locomotives ever built, known for its size, weight, and hauling capacity.
So, while Big Boy was a remarkable feat of engineering, it wasn't the absolute champion in terms of sheer pulling strength.
