General Discussion

Train Guy 3 wrote:

So let me get this straight ...the goods are made in China, loaded into containers built in China, shipped on a Chinese container ship, then loaded on a train pulled by two Chinese steam locomotives... man Wal-Mart is really going all-out with this China thing to lower prices.

Using American steamers would drive up inflation . . . .

Train Guy 3 wrote:

So let me get this straight ...the goods are made in China, loaded into containers built in China, shipped on a Chinese container ship, then loaded on a train pulled by two Chinese steam locomotives... man Wal-Mart is really going all-out with this China thing to lower prices.

 Suddenly I am hungry for some MooShu pork and an egg roll ...

Dave Nelson

gabe wrote:

Train Guy 3 wrote: So let me get this straight ...the goods are made in China, loaded into containers built in China, shipped on a Chinese container ship, then loaded on a train pulled by two Chinese steam locomotives... man Wal-Mart is really going all-out with this China thing to lower prices. Using American steamers would drive up inflation . . . .

Lowering prices is all hot air and cooling steam. Let's not go there. It is my belief that Wally is hurting and fighting for every penny they can get to the profit side; an example was they stopped giving coffee and doughnuts in the breakroom because cups were too expensive. No I dont work for them, I know folks that do.

VAPEURCHAPELON wrote:

Since 1990 UP 3985 pulled several trains with more tonnage like the train the QJs pulled few days ago. The 144 car double stacker in 1990 was the heaviest I believe - more than 7000 tons. And I think N&W 1218 has been used on coal trains of comparable or even larger size, too. However, the photos are very nice and show a great happening! Thanks for sharing!

In the early 80's the C&O 614 pulled a number of revenue coal trains unassisted, some in excess of 5500 tons, at full track speed in West Virginia. Even though the 614 could produce 83-84,000 lbs tractive effort, she was designed for 100 mph passenger operation, not pulling coal trains around. There was talk among the senior Chessie guys of unleashing the 614 on a Trailer Jet up on the B&O Pittsburgh line just to show what she was capable of at 70 mph,  but it never came to pass.

During the same time period, the 614 was leased by Amtrak to pull 80 mph revenue passenger runs, the only steam engine ever to do so in Amtrak's history.

Didn't 4449 pull some Amtrak trains, around the 1977 timeframe, right after the American Freedom Train?  Could've sworn I saw some News photos in Trains mag.

3985 pulled a 7000 ton double stack train for APL, at the shipper's request.  Went over Archer Hill. 

GP40-2 wrote:

In the early 80's the C&O 614 pulled a number of revenue coal trains unassisted, some in excess of 5500 tons, at full track speed in West Virginia. Even though the 614 could produce 83-84,000 lbs tractive effort, she was designed for 100 mph passenger operation, not pulling coal trains around. There was talk among the senior Chessie guys of unleashing the 614 on a Trailer Jet up on the B&O Pittsburgh line just to show what she was capable of at 70 mph,  but it never came to pass. During the same time period, the 614 was leased by Amtrak to pull 80 mph revenue passenger runs, the only steam engine ever to do so in Amtrak's history.

Sorry I missed that! But I knew it. How could I forget... I have nice film shots from that - man that must have been impressive! Too bad I wasn't there.

VAPEURCHAPELON wrote:

GP40-2 wrote: In the early 80's the C&O 614 pulled a number of revenue coal trains unassisted, some in excess of 5500 tons, at full track speed in West Virginia. Even though the 614 could produce 83-84,000 lbs tractive effort, she was designed for 100 mph passenger operation, not pulling coal trains around. There was talk among the senior Chessie guys of unleashing the 614 on a Trailer Jet up on the B&O Pittsburgh line just to show what she was capable of at 70 mph,  but it never came to pass. During the same time period, the 614 was leased by Amtrak to pull 80 mph revenue passenger runs, the only steam engine ever to do so in Amtrak's history.   Sorry I missed that! But I knew it. How could I forget... I have nice film shots from that - man that must have been impressive! Too bad I wasn't there.

What's a few thousands of ton on that tender coupler? Passenger or Run of Mine Coal... what does it matter? Once the engine gets into the top end and can generate 100 mph, have at it!

Im sorry I missed the Sandpatch run, Im hearing stories about how it filled the sky unassisted on that grade.

BNSF_GP60M wrote:

Did you see the intermodal cars in the train? Would this make this the first "mostly" intermodal train pulled by steam?

No.  Many years ago TRAINS ran a two-page photo spread of a Nickle Plate Berkshire pulling one of that RR's first intermodal trains.  There probably haven't been a lot of intermodal trains pulled by steam, but there have been a few.

gabe wrote:

Train Guy 3 wrote: So let me get this straight ...the goods are made in China, loaded into containers built in China, shipped on a Chinese container ship, then loaded on a train pulled by two Chinese steam locomotives... man Wal-Mart is really going all-out with this China thing to lower prices. Using American steamers would drive up inflation . . . .

And Wal-Mart only sells what we Americans buy.

Sorry nothing to report on so far.  Except that another QJ is coming over to America for RJ Corman. 

Keith Schmidt