Steam era branchline - to turn or not to turn?

[Mike Kieran]

Bob,

I believe that the term that you're looking for is "frugal".

[wjstix]

One point to consider is in the 1920's a branchline would probably have like a 2-6-0, 2-8-0, or 4-6-0 running on it. The reason steam engines have pilot wheels is it helps the engine track better. 19th rail builders quickly realized as speeds increased that an 0-6-0 was more likely to derail than a 2-6-0. Trailing trucks didn't come into use until the early 20th century, so you lose the advantage of the pilot wheels when running backwards. Plus the feeling (probably correct) was that the tender was more likely to derail when running backwards than forwards.

So, generally a railroad preferred to avoid having steam engines run backwards with a train. Yes, there are a fair number of instances of it being done, but I believe railroads avoided doing so as much as possible 100 years ago. 

[BigJim]

The N&W would run steam engines out of the terminal tender first so that they came in engine first.

[Mike Kieran]

Stix,

Don't forget that there were also 2-4-2s, 2-6-2s, and 2-8-2s in branchline service as well. The Strassburg Railroad has no turning facilities and returns back to its terminal tender first. The Boston & Main ran commuter engines in both directions because they had to get back on the main line in as little time possible.

My only caveat with running tender first is that if the cab wasn't enclosed, the engineer and fireman were driving right into the elements without anything to block them.

[BRAKIE]

Does it pay for the railroad to put in these facilities. Does it pay to run the engine backwards at a lower speed in wages, fuel, water capacity, etc. In many cases, it wasn't the passenger traffic that paid for the passenger train but the mail that it carried (or the milk express cars).

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Mike,In the majority of the cases no..The branch may have been added by pressure from the state-you know the routine We will gladly help you and give you a tax break if you build a line to Hopesville..

As far as reverse move in foul weather concerning the engineer and fireman let us not forget the poor brakeman riding the tender deck watching out ahead or the poor brakeman riding the platform of a caboose or combine. At least the engineer and fireman had some heat to keep them from freezing..

[Mike Kieran]

True dat Larry! Just snow or freezing wind & rain coming into my face while my other side is doing a slow roast would really annoy me.