Union Pacific 3985 Challenger class locomotive

[petek]

Rail oddities

Here's a vid of CPR's jet engine de icer. These are mainly used to melt frozen switches, scales etc. Other railroads have their own versions as well.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[tomturbomatic]

Thanks! If these plows had a way of directing the plow engine's exhaust with its heat against the back of the plow, it would possibly keep it warm enough so that the snow would not freeze to the plow. This is also an argument for rotary snow removers in areas where the snow is too deep to be pushed aside by the plow. These videos show how much energy is consumed by the snow removal process.

 

[rp2813]

After viewing the clips of the Big Boy linked in replies 77 & 78, I clicked on some other options on those pages.  I really love the way some of "Skip's" videos captured my favorite, the gleaming 844, absolutely booking along at speeds approaching 100mph.   Getting pulled by that awesome machine (again?) goes on my bucket list.

 

I also loved the penny and quarter on the tracks.  That brought back memories from my childhood, although in those days any denomination over a penny was considered extravagant, and none of the locomotives that ran over them came even close to the weight of the Big Boy.

 

[supersuds]

Looks like union Pacific is considering a plan to restore one of the Big Boys to operational service.

http://trn.trains.com/Railroad%20News/News%20Wire/2012/12/Union%20Pacific%20looking%20to%20restore%20Big%20Boy%20for%20excursion%20service.aspx?

 

[tomturbomatic]

Thank you, John, for that interesting news.

 

[tolivac]

I also like UP plans to put the Big Boy back into use-better than sitting rusting away in a park.These vehicles are a part of US transportation history!The videos posted on here have been most interesting!!Great railfan material.

 

[launderess]

Every Now And Then There Is Talk About Resurrecting

A Big Boy and putting it into some kind of service, tourist or otherwise. Til no nothing has come of such noise and expect this story to go the same way.

True, if anyone would have the skills and knowledge to tackle such a project, UP most certainly does. However the cost would be vast and very difficult. First worry comes to mind is asbestos removal. Strict environmental laws/rules make that a costly process. One usual way round this is to send things overseas such as to China where one assumes rules on that sort of thing are looser. Cannot see shipping a BB, but suppose it could be done.

Even after vast sums were spent on restoration there reamins nil to little right of way in place today that can deal with the bulk of BB locomotives. IIRC even the Challenger presents problems at certain UP remaining road houses.

When BB's were first brought out UP couldn't run them until much track strengthening and widening of some tunnels was completed. As for converting these behemoths to burn oil, IIRC that was tried back in the day and it didn't work.

 

[tolivac]

Yes,there is the point of skills and personell to do such a project of putting a BB into operational service-For Asbestos-if its enclosed and intact and not coming apart-it can stay.The owner of the device has to monitor the asbestos and take the appropraite steps to guard against its relase.For older ewlectric locomotives such as Penn RR GG1's the concern was PCBs in their transformers and cracked drive wheels,and body frames.The transformers had to be drained of the PCB.And--China builds steam locomotives-new "replica" ones-for tourist and amusement RR's.Norinco Industries in China builds them.Don't know if they could build a BB-wouldn't be surprized that they could if Norincocould get the engineering plans and schematics for the BB.

 

[jetcone]

Go! Schenectady

When I was growing up there were still people who had been laid off by ALCO and were still saying one day the plant will open up again. It never happened. These engines are amazing!

Here is the 1601 in Dearborn, with my friend Phyllis standing beside it for scale. Its huge but not as huge as the one Greg stood next too in DC. 

 

 

 

[supersuds]

Big Boy resto

Well, there's no doubt that it would be a big project, but it won't be necessary to go overseas to do it. Many many locos have been restored largely through volunteer effort. If asbestos flaking is a concern, you have to wear a respirator, just as in a building rehab.

The Tennessee Valley RR museum in Chattanooga even has some shops that can do a lot of the work and no doubt there is something similar in the west.

Breathing Life to History: TVRM's Passionate Restorations

Delve into the meticulous art of railway restoration at TVRM. Experience history revived through passionately rehabilitated locomotives and coaches.

www.tvrail.com

 

[davetranter]

@ Tomturbomatic

I also read of the WWII Italian disaster.... I read that it was caused by a combination of burning very poor 'brown' coal, and freak (very calm) weather conditions, resulting in no wind through the tunnel.... A sad loss of life indeed.

 

[davey7]

When did Italy phase out steam (I mean, they didn't get color TV until the mid/late 70's!!!! - though it didn't hurt their 60's variety shows too much)? My dad remembers arriving in Italy during WWII from Eastern Europe (long story) and feeling like they had stepped into the future - everything was brand spanking new and most especially that the trains were electric.

 

[supersuds]

I don't know the exact date, but Italy started some early three-phase railroad electrification very early in the 20th century.

This site says the last mainline steam in Italy went on until 1976!

Italian Railway Heritage and Preservation

 

[revvinkevin]

We cannot forget the purpose-built gear drive logging locomo

 

 

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<span style="font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT; font-size: medium;">With smaller diameter drivers (29” to 36”), driveshafts and gear drive,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>these work horses were not fast, but could haul heavy loads up steep inclines on uneven track and sharper curves then other locomotives!</span>

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<span style="font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT; font-size: medium;">First, the most widely used of the geared Locomotives, the Shay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">    </span></span>

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<span style="font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT; font-size: medium;">With more than 2700 built from 1878 through 1945, the Shay had 3 vertically mounted cylinders connected to a crankshaft, turning drive shafts which drove ALL axles on the locomotive and tender, making it “all wheel drive” as it were.</span>

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[revvinkevin]

 

 

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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Next is the lesser known Heisler.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">   </span>Only 625 were built from 1891 thru 1941.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">   </span>Also a gear driven locomotive, these had a central driveshaft with two cylinders in a “V” configuration under the boiler.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">   </span>Depending on the order, they either drove the wheels only on the locomotive, or the locomotive and the tender.</span></span>

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[revvinkevin]

 

 

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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Finally there was the Climax locomotive (yes that is REALLY it’s name!).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">   </span>Somewhere between 1030 and 1060 were built over the 40 years of production from 1888 to 1928.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">   </span>It also featured a central driveshaft driving all axles under the locomotive.</span></span>

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[rp2813]

It kinda looks like it's climaxing in that picture!

 

[revvinkevin]

Oh Ralph........ LOL

 

[rp2813]

Heisler

I've always wondered why some locomotives had paint schemes that included "whitewalls."  These engines are all business, and IMO that touch makes them look like prissy things intended to carry girls with parasols.