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String Lining

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Posted by Miningman on Thursday, March 7, 2019 11:51 AM

A couple of threads now have been discussing the Esso brand, its origins and what it became. Esso still exists in Canada under the name Esso but as part of Imperial Oil. Better known in the US as Exxon.

ESSO 902 acq. 1974 (ex BN 902 nee NP 902/113) S-2 Alco 69930 8/1942

ESSO Chemicals 580 (only number shown) Actually, 903 (below). Radio controlled. 
Apparently this was just a repainting error (ex TRRA 590) as only three Alco S-2's ever noted here. 

Esso Chemicals 903 acq. 8/1981 re-engined with Cummins.
(ex TRRA 590) Alco S-2 #76787 6/1949 Glenn Courtney

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Posted by Flintlock76 on Thursday, March 7, 2019 12:17 PM

Miningman

Check out these photos. Was EHH secretly successful in acquiring Norfolk Southern? Did Canadian Pacific secretly and silently buy all the Union Pacific stock?  These leased units will no doubt turn heads!

3249 leased 1991 GATX purchased 6/1992 (ex NS nee SOU 3249). SD40 EMD 75615-6 1975 
Long hood forward leaves no doubt as to its ancestry. 
Renumbered 5480 5/1993 Retired 10/2003 Sold 8/2004 NRE Capreol Resold 6/2007 ALL (Brazil) 

3252

5430 acq. 3/14/1994 (ex GATX 2008 nee MP 3195) Sold 5/26/1999 LLPX 4406 
Part of GATX 2000-2009 leased previously.

Also here is the very short lived dual flags paint scheme.

it turned out to be quite controversial as both sides felt it disrespected their flags.

It actually looked much better in person than it did in pictures. Nonetheless it is gone gone gone ain't never coming back. 

5492 ex MKCX 9418 SD40M-2 EMD/MK nee CO 7531:2 EMD 37208 3/1971

 

Flag portrayals and displays can be quite a touchy subject if not done correctly.  At least they didn't make the mistake of placing one on top of the other.  That would have really had people screaming.

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Posted by Miningman on Thursday, March 7, 2019 9:08 PM

A whole lot of mollah down the drain with that paint scheme. 

Now then this is interesting. I put this up also on Classic under its own thread but for you folks that do not check out the greatest Forum in the history of the world, Classic Trains, here it is. 

So... I'm calling this a 1-0-1 but maybe it's an 0-2-0 . 

I'm thinking cx500 and NDG are lining up for one 

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Posted by Overmod on Friday, March 8, 2019 6:49 AM

Miningman
I'm thinking cx500 and NDG are lining up for one

But it's wrong on so many levels!  What they want is to go like this:

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Posted by CSSHEGEWISCH on Friday, March 8, 2019 7:12 AM

Further comment about the ex-SR SD40-2's.  They were eventually repainted in Action Red and had their cabs plated over, turning them into boosters.

The daily commute is part of everyday life but I get two rides a day out of it. Paul
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Posted by tree68 on Friday, March 8, 2019 7:40 AM

Miningman
So... I'm calling this a 1-0-1 but maybe it's an 0-2-0 . 

Traditionally, it's been lead truck - driving wheels - trailing truck, so if the front wheel isn't driven, it would be a 1-1-0. If the front wheel is driven, too, I would think it would be an 0-1-1-0...

Just my take...

 

LarryWhistling
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Posted by Miningman on Friday, March 8, 2019 7:49 AM

Yea I think you are more accurate and correct with the 1-1-0, thanks. 

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Posted by Overmod on Friday, March 8, 2019 7:51 AM

tree68
If the front wheel is driven, too, I would think it would be an 0-1-1-0...

But that would only be true if the front wheel were driven by its own cylinder. 

The pictured bike is a 1-1-0 as indicated; only the back wheel is driven.  (The 'cylinder' visible on the fork is part of the suspension). 

For those 2 or 3 forum participants with actual pedantic interest in "nomenclatural taxonomy", the likely answer to AWD steam motorcycle naming conventions resides within Wiener's Articulated Locomotives -- here, in my opinion, involving creative use of the apostrophe.

This has me thinking that there's a proper answer to how to make a steam motorcycle that improves on 3-cylinder Swiss drive to a chain or shaft.  That's to produce a Lewty-booster engine arrangement and hydraulic transmission to wheel-mounted motors, perhaps making use of hydrodynamic braking from the arrangement to implement non-skid high-speed performance.  Packaging for road performance gets so much easier ... just as it does for locomotive boosters.

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Posted by Flintlock76 on Friday, March 8, 2019 9:03 AM

Never mind the Whyte Classification hair-splitting, the real question is how well does that oh-so-cool machine run?

I see a bell.  Does it have a whistle?

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Posted by Miningman on Friday, March 8, 2019 9:18 AM

Oh yeah the whistle is right in front of the bell head on with the camera. Looks like a beauty too! Look closely. 

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Posted by tree68 on Saturday, March 9, 2019 7:18 AM

How about an 0-2-2?  Looks like fun!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qYVB6aJqviI

 

LarryWhistling
Resident Microferroequinologist (at least at my house) 
Everyone goes home; Safety begins with you
My Opinion. Standard Disclaimers Apply. No Expiration Date
Come ride the rails with me!
There's one thing about humility - the moment you think you've got it, you've lost it...

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Posted by Flintlock76 on Saturday, March 9, 2019 8:50 AM

Oh wow, that steam speeder is just too cool for words!

Imagine running along an abandoned line somewhere, with a big pot o' coffee, some baked goods, and maybe a few cigars?  What a way to spend the day!  

Thanks for posting that video of a real "dream machine!"   

Who needs a Maserati when you've got live steam?

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Posted by Deggesty on Saturday, March 9, 2019 10:57 AM

That 0-2-2 is delightful!

Johnny

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Posted by cx500 on Saturday, March 9, 2019 11:40 AM

A delightful showpiece, but even if it is technically possible to have it actually operate (I'm doubtful) I personally would not attempt to actually ride it.  Very heavy with a high centre of gravity is not a recipe for good handling.  Not much in the way of braking power either.

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Posted by tree68 on Saturday, March 9, 2019 12:53 PM

cx500
Not much in the way of braking power either.

Yeah - love the wooden brake shoes and clutch pads...

I have to wonder what kind of range it would have with the onboard water and fuel.  Might need a tender...

LarryWhistling
Resident Microferroequinologist (at least at my house) 
Everyone goes home; Safety begins with you
My Opinion. Standard Disclaimers Apply. No Expiration Date
Come ride the rails with me!
There's one thing about humility - the moment you think you've got it, you've lost it...

NDG
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Posted by NDG on Saturday, March 9, 2019 2:58 PM
Wonderful Data!

Thank You.

NDG
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Posted by NDG on Monday, March 11, 2019 7:04 AM

 Swivel Headlight.

 

 The following locomotives have the Air Operated Swivel Headlight feature. Small Diameter piping along running board.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 In Addition, all have small hand-operated valve above center of Valve Chest which was to be left opened when engine to be ' tied up ' under steam to vent steam if leaking throttle from moving locomotive.

 

 Thank You.
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Posted by Flintlock76 on Monday, March 11, 2019 8:26 AM

Swivel headlights?

OK, stupid question time.  Is that so it can "see" around sharp curves?

Sorry, I can't think of another reason for a swivel headlight.

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Posted by Overmod on Monday, March 11, 2019 11:29 AM

Flintlock76
Sorry, I can't think of another reason for a swivel headlight.

I can: point the beam off the ROW to inspect fallen trees, rockslides, and other items of interest not *directly* in the narrow angle of the beam.  Think really, really bright spotlight...

Also helps in a meet by diverting the axis of the beam away from the eyes of the crew, if there is ineffective dimming (e.g. via control of the turboalternator speed) but I doubt that was a reason.

Have to confess it would be fun to rig this up with a cam to give 1/2 the action of a Mars light; would not be difficult to coordinate a 'dip' to give reasonable figure-8 motion if you wanted that for some reason.

Something it would NOT be easy to do is simulate the 'scanning' action of a Gyralight, which provides beam coverage of a greater side area than just dithering the beam laterally would.  But, again, I doubt that was something considered as important at the time.

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Posted by tree68 on Monday, March 11, 2019 1:03 PM

Normally the headlight is fixed straight ahead, which we all know.

There are times when even a gentle curve leaves you with very limited visibility on the inside of the curve, and even along the tracks.  Speaking from experience.

The French Citroen automobile had steerable headlights, tied to the steering wheels.  Not in the US, though.

The original "ditch lights" (not to be confused with today's "auxiliary lights" were aimed across the tracks and into the ditches, hence the name.  Auxiliary lights are aimed straight ahead.

I know of a former BCR locomotive with both ditch and auxiliary lights, plus the normal headlight.  Quite the sight if they're all on...

LarryWhistling
Resident Microferroequinologist (at least at my house) 
Everyone goes home; Safety begins with you
My Opinion. Standard Disclaimers Apply. No Expiration Date
Come ride the rails with me!
There's one thing about humility - the moment you think you've got it, you've lost it...

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Posted by SD70Dude on Monday, March 11, 2019 1:30 PM

tree68

I know of a former BCR locomotive with both ditch and auxiliary lights, plus the normal headlight.  Quite the sight if they're all on...

Their switch on the control stand is labelled "corner lights".  PGE/BC Rail was one of the first to start using them. 

The ex-CSX Dash-8's that CN is currently leasing have ditch lights that start flashing when you blow the whistle, CSX seems to have called them "crossing lights".

CN started using portable "mountain lights", as they were originally called in the 1950s, but only in British Columbia.  They would be added or removed when the crews changed at Jasper, Alberta. 

In this 1956 view a FP9 models the original, large lights.  Note that the unit does not yet have front MU connections, the receptacle the lights are plugged into is just for them, or to power the lights on a snowplow or spreader:

http://www.trainweb.org/oldtimetrains/photos/cnr_diesel/6501.jpg

From here:

http://www.trainweb.org/oldtimetrains/photos/cnr_diesel/two.htm

Greetings from Alberta

-an Articulate Malcontent

NDG
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Posted by NDG on Monday, March 11, 2019 2:53 PM

Contractor's Locomotive?

 
Another Foamer just wrote me, after J-Clothing his keyboard re the CN Mountains.
 
His Oral exudation was NOT due the 4-8-2s ( Oil Fired ) Nor the Headlights, but the small slide valve engine to the right in the following.
 
 
I thought it to be a CN Family 0-6-0 7300-7400, but now observe it has a ROUND Builder's Plate and not likely from Beloit.
 
Ergo, probably a Baldwin?
 
He thinks it could be a Contractor's Locomotive..
 
 
While further obfuscating the inane.
 
Check out the Front End Throttle Mod? on this 0-6-0. 
 
 
Loco has the Universal Piston Valve Conversion. 
 
 
Angled Portable Ditch Lights. Applied to Geep for Mountain Service. Plugged into Recepticle Right Buffer Beam.
 
 
 
 
 
Lead Unit has New CNR Nose Crest. Trailing Unit has Older version.
 
FWIW.
 
CN 1734 GMD.
 
 
CN 1734 MLW.
 
 
CN 4102. Lightweight.
 
 
CN 4102. Heavyweight.
 
 

Thank You.

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Posted by Flintlock76 on Monday, March 11, 2019 9:49 PM

Good answers on the swivel lights, thanks all!

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Posted by SD70Dude on Sunday, March 17, 2019 11:59 AM

For Miningman, Burlington, ON, not so very long ago.  Busy day down at the station!

http://www.railpictures.ca/?attachment_id=36859

Farther back in time but not much farther east, coal smoke and streamlined cars:

http://www.railpictures.ca/?attachment_id=36870

 

Greetings from Alberta

-an Articulate Malcontent

NDG
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Posted by NDG on Sunday, March 17, 2019 12:43 PM

 

Gateman's Shanty.
 
Many of the Gateman's Shantys in Toronna had STEAM Locomotive bells as warning devices.
 
John Street as Example. There were several others.
 
 
Lanterns are for crossing gates. Wood bins are for stove coal.
 
 

Thank You.

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Posted by SD70Dude on Sunday, March 17, 2019 12:45 PM

There appears to be a "washroom" to the right of the coal bins.

Some of my relatives (from Buffalo, NY) pronounce it as "Trannah".

Greetings from Alberta

-an Articulate Malcontent

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Posted by Miningman on Sunday, March 17, 2019 12:46 PM

Well thank you Dude. You know the fella at the rear of the bunch with the long brown leather jacket , blue jeans and wavy long hair just might be me. It's that long leather jacket that makes me think so. 

The trains to London/Windsor always had huge crowds of awaiting passengers in Burlington. 

There were many trains each day to Niagara Falls.. at least eight, all RDC's. Quickest way to smack downtown Toronto and all the fun on Younge Street was an RDC heading in. About 25 minutes downtown to downtown, especially if you got hell bent for leather Eddie at the throttle.

The notes on the photo call it Burlington Wesr but that didn't quite exist yet.. it was simply Burlington. Check out that Pinto! 

Me Mom had one that colour, which makes it even more intriguing... my Aunt would visit frequently from London and perhaps we are seeing her off. 

There is another two track mainline further left of the picture that is the Halton Subdivision from all points North and yet another single track main behind the station that goes along the Beach Strip and out to Niagara fruit country. 

Industrial track around the station include Niagara Chemicals ( Hercules), Tip Top Tailors, Fruit Sheds just behind the station that handled and wholesaled fruit going out to everywhere from all those Niagara fruit farms and apples from Burlington.

This was a time of great transition for Burlington as a small farming community of apple orchards , population 6,000, virtually became an urban sprawl of near 200,000 in ten years. 

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Posted by BaltACD on Sunday, March 17, 2019 1:34 PM

Real Stringlining

Never too old to have a happy childhood!

              

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Posted by Paul of Covington on Sunday, March 17, 2019 2:09 PM

NDG
Gateman's Shanty. Many of the Gateman's Shantys in Toronna had STEAM Locomotive bells as warning devices. John Street as Example. There were several others. http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2739ql1Er5s/TwpOaEjH3aI/AAAAAAAAEK0/uBQ8m8MXCxg/s1600/%25236.jpg

   On top of what I assume are the coal bins (I'm from the south, far from coal country and cold country.) there is what appears to be a beam under two inverted "V" shaped brackets.   What is that?

_____________ 

  "A stranger's just a friend you ain't met yet." --- Dave Gardner

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