The first time I saw GG1's I was in a Greyhound bus passing Washington Union Station in 1975. the yard was full of them waiting assignments.
"Wow!" I said to myself. "Look at those cool old Thirties diesels! I didn't think there were any around like that anymore!"
What did I know? I wasn't a railfan yet, but I sure knew Art Deco when I saw it.
IF one of the Pennsy's most famous electric locomotives were to be reworked with a diesel engine in it, it would have the same wheel arrangement, 4-6-0 + 0-6-4 ("G" was the designation for a 4-6-0)--but it would not be a GG1.
I remember my first sight of one--I was down by a track in the Washington station as one came in. Ummmm!
Johnny
I don't know if there's space inside a G for a prime mover but I kind of doubt it. More than likely the whole interior would have to be gutted and you'd have a diesel locomotive in GG1 clothing. Might be interesting though.
I recall several years ago someone came up with the idea of running a G with electricity supplied by a head end power car, but obviously nothing came of it.
Metro Red Line How's about this? Although you'd need to string up some catenary wire to make it work :)
How's about this?
Although you'd need to string up some catenary wire to make it work :)
Although it would be glaringly inappropriate without catenary overhead, one might wonder if space could be found for a prime mover inside a GG1, assuming the frame could handle it.
Larry 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...
Diesel Power"unit" as in the train. Sorry, didn't know I needed to be so technical. You know the smoke stack etc. Oh wait, I better check to make sure that's the right terminology.
Most folks think of a Diesel locomotive as a "unit." A train is a complete consist with power and is officially noted as having some form of "marker" on the rear (which could simply be the dimmed headlight of a trailing locomotive).
Steam locomotives are generally referred to as locomotives, although a few colloquial descriptions (steamer, etc) or a descriptive (Northern, 0-6-0) or the number (NKP765) are generally used.
See ing a GG1 operating again would be cool too! But that, as they say, is another story.
Wizlish Diesel Power The large plumes of steam and smoke coming off the unit... Coming off the WHAT?
Diesel Power The large plumes of steam and smoke coming off the unit...
Coming off the WHAT?
"unit" as in the train. Sorry, didn't know I needed to be so technical. You know the smoke stack etc. Oh wait, I better check to make sure that's the right terminology.
Trains Northwest
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7z2SF15sZ3pfV_VymvNf9A
Diesel PowerThe large plumes of steam and smoke coming off the unit...
I'm reminded of an article I read in "O Gauge Railroading" magazine a year or so ago.
Rich Melvin, the publisher of "OGR" is also the engineer of Nickle Plate 765. He told the tale of 765 puliing a Norfolk-Southern excursion in Pennsylvania around Horse Shoe Curve. There was a NS diesel in the lash-up, but as the train began its transit of the Curve Wick Mooreman, NS CEO, who was riding in 765's cab put out the word, "Shut down the diesel, let 765 do the work."
She did, and with flying colors. And everyone got to see and hear the full glory of a Nickle Plate Berkshire doing what she was meant to do.
If there is an Amtrak engine along, you can almost bet its online and helping move the train.
Mechanical Department "No no that's fine shove that 20 pound set all around the yard... those shoes aren't hell and a half to change..."
The Missabe Road: Safety First
I like the idea of painting a couple units black to blend in with the steam locomotives. I've seen to many steam units on a variety of DVDs/videos that have a diesel providing assistance and it just kind of ruins the experience and look of the train. I would rather there be no diesel attached to the train, but I understand the reasoning for it.
About three years ago I caught the Southern Pacific 4449 Daylight Special as it was on a day excursion. Caught it going east and west bound and during that excursion it was all SP 4449. There were no diesel locomotives aiding the Daylight on this day and it made for a very cool experience. Unfortunately my son deleted the video (doh!) It was very impressive to watch as it sped down the tracks at 50-60mph. The large plumes of steam and smoke coming off the unit, the awesome sound of the horn and the floating head lamp. It was a very cool experience. I'm very glad their was no diesel attached to it to distract from it.
Speaking of the SP-4449, my neighbor is retired from Burlington Northern/BNSF and had the good fortune to drive the Daylight Special on an excursion once as the driver at the time was not familiar with the stretch of track they were on. There were no diesel's attached on that trip either.
Union Pacific I believe usually relies on diesels in the tunnels and snowsheds when running a steam excursion on Donner Pass, in order to not steam clean the tunnel roofs and cover the passenger cars with decades of diesel soot that have accumulated on them.
One of the best stories I've read in this magazine was one about an excursion there behind the 3985 and 844 when something failed on the diesel helper, and the steamers had to do all the work upgrade through Tunnel 41 with a long passenger consist.
Would love to have seen a picture of the mess afterwards.
Just imagine an NKP Berkshire (think 765, 759, or such) being this Amtrak excursion steam locomotive! Those Berks could pull Amtrak's trains forever if properly maintained. By God, I'd pay a lot to ride the Lake Shore Limited (on any segment) behind the 765..., or the NYC Mohawk!
Here's to the Impossible Dream!
Firelock76Getting back to topic, my only objection, and it's a minor one, to a diesel on a steam excursion is the doubt it may put in peoples minds as to whether it's the steam or diesel engine that's doing the work. Not a BIG doubt, but it may be there just the same.
I'd never heard the idea of lessening the load on the steamer in order to conserve fuel and water, but it makes sense for longer runs.
The idea of camouflaging a cowl (Amtrak) certainly deserves consideration, although it will cut into the proceeds of an event unless someone can be found to underwrite the cost (in return for a small plug on the wrap). Wrapping a hood unit would be more difficult.
Getting back to topic, my only objection, and it's a minor one, to a diesel on a steam excursion is the doubt it may put in peoples minds as to whether it's the steam or diesel engine that's doing the work. Not a BIG doubt, but it may be there just the same.
I remember the Clinchfield's #1, not personnaly but reading about it. That engine needed the B unit for the long consists in it's excursion trains. Short trains of two or three coaches were OK for that little 4-6-0, but anything more was asking too much of it.
You can see #1 today at the B&O Museum.
ROBERT WILLISON Again does any body know if current Amtrak locos are equipped with dynamic braking?
Again does any body know if current Amtrak locos are equipped with dynamic braking?
Editor Emeritus, This Week at Amtrak
Remember this picture of graffiti that BaltACD posted about a month ago? Get this guy to paint a wrap.
http://www.railpictures.net/images/d2/1/0/0/2100.1419699079.jpg
_____________
"A stranger's just a friend you ain't met yet." --- Dave Gardner
tree68 Anybody have any idea how much it costs to "wrap" a locomotive? Doing so would allow the scheme of the Amtrak locomotive to follow the theme of the event (ie, heritage of the line being run, etc). Once the event is over, the wrap could stay on the locomotive until it was "tired" or some other variable. This would also eliminate the need to shuffle a single (or a few) locomotive around the country for the various events. Just pick a locomotive in the area and, viola!
Anybody have any idea how much it costs to "wrap" a locomotive?
Doing so would allow the scheme of the Amtrak locomotive to follow the theme of the event (ie, heritage of the line being run, etc).
Once the event is over, the wrap could stay on the locomotive until it was "tired" or some other variable.
This would also eliminate the need to shuffle a single (or a few) locomotive around the country for the various events. Just pick a locomotive in the area and, viola!
I might be mistaken, but I would suspect that this would be a question for MP173 (Valpo Ed) to answer..
I've seen City Transit Buses wrapped and there is an outfit that sells advertising that will 'wrap' an auto for advertising purposes.
Here is one photo of an AMTRAK F59PHI wrapped for Operation Lifesaver @ http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=481392&nseq=1
and this for 'Sounder Diesel" @ http://www.enati.com/lance/RR/PNW/sdrx902wbailey.jpg
and this for "Seahawks" @
http://www.thedieselshop.us/SDRX%20911-Seahawks-PBieber.jpg
This linked Thread on Trainorders.com @ http://www.trainorders.com/discussion/read.php?4,3301041
Lists a number of specially painted and decorated locomotive in their "Sounder Service".
Zeeke Thanks, D. Carleton, for dragging this thread back to the original topic! I hadn't seen that black Amtrak scheme before, but I agree with Firelock76 that it's probably not the way to go for this application.
Thanks, D. Carleton, for dragging this thread back to the original topic!
I hadn't seen that black Amtrak scheme before, but I agree with Firelock76 that it's probably not the way to go for this application.
One good reason for the Amtrak engines on Milwaukee Road 261 excursions is that by making it an Amtrak train they take advantage of the insurance that Amtrak has and most excursion operators would be hard pressed to obtain. And yes I have seen the Amtrak engines fail on those 261 trips.
Actually a mostly black Amtrak Genesis unit with approprite and modest striping and Amtrak lettering could look really neat.
When the Royal Hudson came through the US in the late 1970s it was aided by a couple of CP B units that were painted to match the tender and the train. It was a classly looking engine and train, and when I tape recorded it one night, it was clear the B units were doing most of the work.
Dave Nelson
A bit Off Topic.
There were many things 'Wrong' in this incident, but, it was determined that had the D/B not cut out when he put it into Emergency, it would have been able to control train speed so it could take the curves above the derailment site.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gJG5a_4sANA
The Engineer was in the cab FACING the train, normal procedure, a hold over from the steam and see the Trainmen for hand signal days.
http://tsb.gc.ca/eng/rapports-reports/rail/2007/r07v0109/r07v0109.asp
Grade 4%.
Thank You.
Paul of Covington Why not blow a bunch of soot on it before the excursion, then hose it off afterwards.
Why not blow a bunch of soot on it before the excursion, then hose it off afterwards.
Or get an ALCO. They aren't called "honorary steam locomotives" for no reason...
I'm not sure a black locomotive would be the best for Amtrak. As there is not an excursion going on every weekend then the locomotive would be used in regular service as well. I'm not sure an all black loco would be an imgae Amtrak wants but then again how many comuters accutally care or see what thier train is powered by. The other proplem is getting said "excursion" locomotive to the area where is will be oppearting. If the loco is not close to the excurion location it can be a hassle to get one locomotive to a destaination on a railroad already with equipment shoratages. However the idea of a more excurion appropriate diesel locomotive does appeal to me.Dynamic braking goes a long way to keep wear & tear off you steam locomotives. That said there are a lot of enginners out there who don't know proper train control with air brakes alone simply beacuse they have always been trained in a world with dynamic braking.
TG3 LOOK ! LISTEN ! LIVE ! Remember the 3.
Another steam locomotive to receive a Diesel Controller was BC Govt. 1077 ( MLW 1923 ) shown here with a BC Rail Diesel behind the two tanks cars.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/msdwilkie/8419297282/sizes/k/in/photostream/
There is a large suction hose w/ strainer beneath tender on left side for a steam syphon beneath cab for lifting water from lineside creeks when locomotive still in logging service.
http://www.trainweb.org/oldtimetrains/photos/logging/M&B_1077.jpg
https://www.flickr.com/photos/37908073@N04/4722814429/in/set-72157621907745645
The Diesel Controller was removed and was fitted to CN 2141 @ Kamloops.
http://www.railpictures.net/images/d1/2/4/2/6242.1199581200.jpg
CN 2141 ( CLC 1912 ) running in reverse. Note MU fixtures on right rear of tender. Ditto ditch lights.
http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=244376&nseq=9
Sam can you resend the link on rods which operated passenger units with dynamic braking its no opening for me.
Do you if Amtrak units are equipped with dynamic braking?
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