Chinese Steam QJ's pull 4000 ton Freight

[kschmidt]

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

Keith Schmidt

[garthor]

So any more news about these engines?

[SALfan]

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.

[SALfan]

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.

[Anonymous]

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.

[VAPEURCHAPELON]

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.

[WSOR 3801]

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]

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.

[Anonymous]

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.

[dknelson]

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]

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]

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.

[mikeyuhas]

PS - Mike Yuhas, I would have loved to have stopped down at Rochelle this past weekend, but this kind of got in the way. 

Aw shucks, Keith. Ya think?

Cool photos!

 

 

[Semper Vaporo]

This is from their inaugeral run last fall.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VKxroW2VopU

I like the juxtaposition of the old technology of steam with the new "digital" technology...

Dig that digital whistle...   !!!!

 

[Dampfmann]

Chinese steam or not, I bet they sounded great. By the way... There are some pretty sweet videos of the QJs floating around on Youtube made by a Japanese fella. Look 'em up and crank up the volume. You will be impressed!

Martin

[canazar]

Ok. Maybe I should have said that it was the first this year with Chinese steam pulling almost a full intermodal train.

 

Oh man, there has to be some irony in that statement somwhere.

 

Either way, Great Photos!  And I haveto admit, pretty freakin cool to see steam pulling a modern freight train.   A Modeler's dream come true!

[BNSF_GP60M]

Ok. Maybe I should have said that it was the first this year with Chinese steam pulling almost a full intermodal train.

 

[kschmidt]

What is that tank car doing in Stuart? I cannot see what they are putting into that tank car there.

Great photos.

Even though this is **COUGH** CHINESE **COUGH** steam, it's still good to see a steam set running revenue freight in the USA.

The sunset photo is perfect. Good shot!

Thanks,

I believe that there was a string of tank cars in Stuart in storage.  Alot of almost new ethanol cars stored all over the IAIS. 

Keith

[edblysard]

Great photos, Keith...

I kinda like seeing my old friends working again!

[samfp1943]

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

I don't think so.  I believe UP #3985 or #844 pulled either an autorack train or a doublestack train that had stalled out in Wyoming where one of the steamers was doing some break in work or returning from an excursion. 

Keith

Actually, didn't UP 3985 pull a 142 car (or unit) double stack train to inaugerate some service?  I think this must have been 20 years ago, but I am almost positive I saw it somewhere.

Gabe

Several years back; it was a "Calendar Shot" publicity for Maersk Lines, and it was, I think in the vicinity of El Cajon, one of the video companies used to run an add with a photo of the train.

  Big Steam Gives Me Chills!

[VAPEURCHAPELON]

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! 

[gabe]

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

I don't think so.  I believe UP #3985 or #844 pulled either an autorack train or a doublestack train that had stalled out in Wyoming where one of the steamers was doing some break in work or returning from an excursion. 

Keith

 

 

Actually, didn't UP 3985 pull a 142 car (or unit) double stack train to inaugerate some service?  I think this must have been 20 years ago, but I am almost positive I saw it somewhere.

Gabe

[Anonymous]

What is that tank car doing in Stuart? I cannot see what they are putting into that tank car there.

Great photos.

Even though this is **COUGH** CHINESE **COUGH** steam, it's still good to see a steam set running revenue freight in the USA.

The sunset photo is perfect. Good shot!

[kschmidt]

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

I don't think so.  I believe UP #3985 or #844 pulled either an autorack train or a doublestack train that had stalled out in Wyoming where one of the steamers was doing some break in work or returning from an excursion. 

Keith

 

 

[BNSF_GP60M]

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

[CopCarSS]

Lovely shots, Keith! Man I wish I could have seen that! How cool to see revenue freight behind steam!

[kschmidt]

Greetings,

Just got back from a Photo Special that may have broken a record.  This past weekend the Iowa Interstate Railroad and the owner of the Chinese QJ's Henry Posner hosted a Photo Special put together by steamspecials.com.  The doubleheaded QJ's pulled westbound on Saturday.  They pulled a 4212 ton revenue train. This might be a record for modern steam revenue freight.  The train went from Des Moines, IA to Council Bluffs, IA with return on Sunday.  Sunday's train was much lighter. 

The weather Saturday was AWESOME !!.  Not a cloud in the sky.  Sunday was still nice but it was mostly cloudy with some breaks of sun.  On Saturday the QJ's were working hard. The combination of the heavy train and decent grades in western Iowa even caused there to be an extra water stop and they cut the train to make sure they could make it all the way to Council Bluffs.

Here are some photos from the trip. 

Westbound just west of Booneville, IA

At Casey, Iowa

Westbound at Hickory Ave west of Adair, IA

West of the waterstop at Anita, IA

Atlantic, IA

On the bridge at Hancock Junction, IA

Second waterstop west of Hancock, IA

One Sunday June 10th Eastbound on High Bridge over McPherson Road in Council Bluffs, IA

Eastbound at Stuart, IA

On Highway 6 bridge outside Council Bluffs, IA

The Steam Crew/IAIS Crew and Mr Posner(middle) pose with the QJ's at Booneville, IA on Sunday June 10th.

As the sun sets on the QJ's (taken Saturday) it was a great trip. 

BIG THANKS to the Iowa Interstate for allowing this happen. To Mr Posner for allowing the QJ's to come out and play. And also to the people at Steam Specials for arranging the Photo Special, it was worth it.

PS - Mike Yuhas, I would have loved to have stopped down at Rochelle this past weekend, but this kind of got in the way. 

Keith Schmidt