SD70DudeMany railroads took the opportunity of dieselization to rationalize their shop facilities and build new ones that were better suited to the new power and used existing yard space more efficiently (no ash pits, water tanks or coal docks needed now), but this was not always possible and some roundhouses and turntables survive even today. In multiple locations the roundhouse was removed or replaced with a new shop building but the turntable remained, as you noted diesels still often need to be turned and a wye or loop is not always easily accessible from the shop area.
In multiple locations the roundhouse was removed or replaced with a new shop building but the turntable remained, as you noted diesels still often need to be turned and a wye or loop is not always easily accessible from the shop area.
One thing I have always found curious about North American diesel locomotives - single operating end. Electric locomotives in NA for the most part have all been constructed for dual end operation.
There was a period duing my employment with CSX that single engine trains were 'the way to go'. Many of the single engine trains were operated to destinations that had no turning ability for locomotives....WTF?
One of the 'steam facilities' that were routinely rationalized in the move to diesels was the ability to turn steam engines, either in the use of wyes or turntables.
Never too old to have a happy childhood!
Many railroads took the opportunity of dieselization to rationalize their shop facilities and build new ones that were better suited to the new power and used existing yard space more efficiently (no ash pits, water tanks or coal docks needed now), but this was not always possible and some roundhouses and turntables survive even today.
Greetings from Alberta
-an Articulate Malcontent
Paul MilenkovicBut how long did roundhouses and turntables stay around into the diesel era?
No easy answer to that. IF the steam facilities were readily adaptable to diesels, they stayed around quite a while, if not, they disappeared quickly. Most roundhouses weren't adaptable, diesels needed more sophisticated well-lit shops, so roundhouses were the first to go.
The February issue of trains has an article called "One Good Turn" about Amtrak rebuilding a turntable in its Los Angeles 8th Street yard. Originally a Santa Fe facility, the turntable dates from 1910!
I guess the railroads wanted new and different facilities for the maintenance needs of the new diesels when they came along.
But how long did roundhouses and turntables stay around into the diesel era? When the Soo Line Mikado came to Wisconsin a few years back (I think that locomotive has since gone into boiler rehab?), someone mentioned there was an operating turntable near Janesville?
Even road switchers have an "F" end, so are diesels and other equipment all turned on wyes these days?
If GM "killed the electric car", what am I doing standing next to an EV-1, a half a block from the WSOR tracks?
Matthew ( mfmalk ):
It is good to see you 'back' on the Forum. Hope you will atick around,and post some more of your terrific photos..
You had posted a photo, some time back, of an engineman who had just finished his job of lubricating a large steam engine... It was a favorite for a long time; it was defiitely a picture worth a thousand words, IMHO.
Al;ways look forward to yur contributions here!
Super nice work, Matthew!
Brilliant photos! I can only imagine how they would look in black and white. I wish I could take pictures like that!
HEY! AGE OF STEAM! BUY THE PHOTOS AND MAKE US A BOOK!
Same me, different spelling!
I love the human element in so many of those photos. And the fog machine was worth its weight in gold.
The only thing giving away where and when you really are is that spotless shop floor.
Bravo!
Welcome back Matthew! We missed you, man!
Concerning your photographs I have only three words:
O. My. God.
That's not a photo album, it's a time machine!
Well done maestro, well done indeed!
Beautiful work from a talented artist! Thank you, Matthew.
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"A stranger's just a friend you ain't met yet." --- Dave Gardner
I think these are just great; a wonderful set of photographs.
It always amazes me that some people have the gift to create photos, such as these, that tell a story or really set a mood. I just take snapshots.
Thanks for posting.
I agree! So atmospheric! Excellent work!
Follow the link below to my recent images from the Age of Steam Roundhouse in Ohio. A Lerro Photography public shoot was tentatively planned for mid-2020, unfortunately the Covid-19 pandemic put a stop to the original event. Instead a smaller scale test shoot was organized by Pete to determine how a socially distanced charter could work at the museum.Two large fog machines were acquired - within 20 minutes of running the entire roundhouse was bathed with an in-service smoky atmosphere. Combined with reenactors posing around the locomotives in various scenes, one would think we were in an active locomotive roundhouse.Enjoy,Matthew
https://www.losttracksoftime.com/p559594229
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