Math Question

[Chuck Tomlinson]

Robert J. Harris wrote:
>
>And for practical applications about how much power is truly available
>from a small piston, check out the last generation of railroad steam
>engines.  A couple of smallish pistons (displacement compared to the 
>multiple diesel engines that replaced them) moving slowly (thinks tens to
>a couple hundred rpm max) drove 700,000 LB plus locomotives to speeds
>over a hundred miles an hour dragging loads of up to 10,000 tons behind
>them - depending on the speed.  It took 3 or 4 1500 HP diesels to replace
>them and they still didn't quite make the power.  And by the way, the peak
>steam pressure on road locomotives seldom exceeded 300 PSI!!!!!!

If steam engines are so great, why were they replaced with diesels?