Do they still generate steam like the first run?
Rambo2 Do they still generate steam like the first run?
No. I guess making "steam" close to the loudspeakers would have been too messy.
When did railroads begin using steam generator cars in passenger trains? Was it immediately at the end of steam, or later?
-Kevin
Living the dream.
SeeYou190 When did railroads begin using steam generator cars in passenger trains? Was it immediately at the end of steam, or later? -Kevin
The Santa Fe rebuilt five tenders into steam generator cars (9000-9004) in 1943. They were painted dark blue with a yellow stripe to go with their FT diesels. They found their heaviest use during the end of WW II and the Korean War.
JW
The New York Central used them in their electrified service in NYC. Due to a horrible accident in a smoke-filled tunnel in 1902, steam engines were banned from NYC limits by 1908.
With that being the case, they would have had steam heat trailers sometime after that. I think definitely by the 20s. I know they used them with the R-motors (first built in 1926) in mail/express train service because they did not come with heaters.
Tom
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
Thanks for those answers. I had no idea these types of equipment dated all the way back to WW2. I assumed they were something needed in the 1950s, but not permanently, more of a stop-gap device.
You both brought up circumstances I had not considered.
SeeYou190 Thanks for those answers. I had no idea these types of equipment dated all the way back to WW2. I assumed they were something needed in the 1950s, but not permanently, more of a stop-gap device. You both brought up circumstances I had not considered. -Kevin
Much of the nations passenger car fleet was still steam heated when AMTRAK took over. Passenger diesels had steam boilers, but dedicated steam generator cars provided better performance in some situations and allowed any loco to pull the train.
Northern climates in particular could be a challenge for the normal equipment on diesels.
In fact, diesel builders often offered different options in boiler capacity or twn units for road in colder climates and those pulling longer trains.
While experimented with early on, the current head end electrical power concept is a relatively modern idea in railroading.
Sheldon
Canadian National was by far the largest user of steam generator cars in North America, in order to use any available freight units to pull branchline and secondary passenger trains. Nearly 100 brand new cars were purchased from CC&F and GMD London in the late 1950s with most passing on to VIA and some remaining in service until the very end of steam heat up here (mid-late 1990s).
CN continued to order new freight power with air signal lines, steam generator controls and the appropriate extra MU connections until the early 1970s, even some big six axle units like SD40s and M630s were so equipped.
Greetings from Alberta
-an Articulate Malcontent
Kevin and all,
Below is a short article from a May 1932 issue of Railway Age (via Google Books) about the NYC steam heat trailers. According to Wiki, the first R-motor (R-1) was built in 1926. The modified R-2s were released in 1930-1931, with 42 units being manufactured in the Harmon shops.
FWIW,