Double Pans at the Army-Navy?

[gmpullman]

The Summer 2017 issue is great, as usual! Studying the photo of the Greenwich Yard gathering of passenger extras for the Army-Navy Game on the inside back cover, I was curious as to why all the GG1s—ten that I can count—all have both pantographs raised.

I understand "double pans" were orderded during ice conditions but I'm curious as to why all the Gs would have both pantographs raised in the situation depicted in the photograph.

Anyone have any insight on this?

Regards, Ed

[RME]

gmpullman

...I'm curious as to why all the Gs would have both pantographs raised in the situation depicted in the photograph.

Especially when the 1955 Grif Teller calendar painting "Mass Transportation" -- the same situation -- shows only about 2 pans up on the whole visible fleet, some of which are popping off their train-heat boilers.

[rcdrye]

The boilers were oil-fired.

[gmpullman]

I've looked at several other photos of GG1s, and MP54s in later years— in some of the PRR books I have by Dziobko, Volkmer, and Pennypacker. 

One thing that I notice is the extreme height of the contact wire over most of the trackage at Greenwich Yard. The PRR C.T. 290 booklet mentions a "High Wire" territory sign when minimum clearance is approximately 24 feet, 6 inches. There is no mention if two pantographs should be raised in these High Wire areas but this may be a logical explanation...

I can imagine Mr. Teller wanting to use a bit of artistic licence to avoid having to paint all those pantographs! Even with the boilers being oil-fired I'm sure electric power was needed for the combustion blower, oil pump and igniter on the steam generators.

Ed

[wanswheel]

This year Memorial Day coincides with President Kennedy's 100th birthday.

http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=4680755

http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=4680758

https://jfklibrary.org/Asset-Viewer/Archives/JFKWHP-ST-286-8-61.aspx

https://jfklibrary.org/Asset-Viewer/Archives/JFKWHP-ST-276A-3-61.aspx

[rrlineman]

the reason for that can be found in old PRR special notices that I have. Because of the high wire, both pans were kept up to maintain good contact with the trolley wires. this was due to the fact that some pan shoes were still all metal or had the soft copper wear strips. Carbon came late 50's early 60's. Only when they were ready to leave would the proper pan setup be done.

Statium was at the end of the SP1-SP2 feeders out of Sub 2A Arsenel Sub. So the voltage drop with all the motors and MU's would be a heavy draw. the MU's had electric heat and only 2 traction motors. the G's had a much more load draw with the steam heat boilers, blowers keeping the electrical gear cool etc. And they also kept 2 line trucks at each end of the yard, 1 at Arsenal sub, a wire train on standby in PCY, and wire trains and trucks as needed at all major station. the old wire was only 4/0 copper bronze or the older 330 mushroom trolley wire depending where in the yard you were. they also kept wiretains and line trucks on standby at all major stations and light motors if needed. Also Substation Electricans manned Sub 2A, S1A West Philly, Subs 8/9 Zoo, Sub 4 Paoli & Lamokin stepup Substation #11. A protect motor were kept at Wilm, Perryville Baltimore (the R2 tunnel helper) and at Noth Philly and Lancaster. hope this helps.

And FWIT, all the original pans were AIR lower and Spring Raised. IF any arcing occurred they would pin the chargin UP button to maintain a sound 35 psi in the cylnder to keep good pressure on the wire. Not like this current junk we have that is the reverse. Air Raised and Spring lowered. and with a stuipd BPA alarm the is false better then 80% of the time.

From a soon to be RETIREE in Sept 1st after 40 yrs(as a lineman and a Baltimore Power Director.)

[Miningman]

rrlineman- Thank you for this. Excellent information!