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Mechanicville: New England Gateway (And the subsequent videos)

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Posted by tree68 on Monday, March 14, 2022 12:24 PM

Flintlock76
Why is antifreeze not recommended for diesel engines, or specifically diesel engines in locomotives?  As far as I know it's used in truck engines but I could be wrong on that.

Any technical explanation is above my pay grade.

But we're talking a LOT of coolant.  Like drums worth.  

Retail antifreeze in gallon jugs runs upwards of $9.00 per gallon.  Even bought in quantity amounts, it's going to be expensive.

Recall, too, that back when fuel was cheap, locomotives were simply left running most of the time.  No need for antifreeze.  

Another consideration is disposing of the coolant when you do drain it.  While the water is treated with corrosion inhibitors, it's still not the pollution issue of the treated water.

Diesel prime movers aren't alway the tightest, either.  With water as coolant, you can just throw a garden hose in if it's running low.

LarryWhistling
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Posted by Flintlock76 on Monday, March 14, 2022 8:19 AM

Electroliner 1935
I note a number of EMD diesels and wonder what your RR does to handle freezing since antifreeze isn't recommended

A question for Larry or anyone who can answer.

Why is antifreeze not recommended for diesel engines, or specifically diesel engines in locomotives?  As far as I know it's used in truck engines but I could be wrong on that.

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Posted by tree68 on Monday, March 14, 2022 6:45 AM

Electroliner 1935
2) Larry. I note a number of EMD diesels and wonder what your RR does to handle freezing since antifreeze isn't recommended. Drain or heaters?

Yes...

Several of our locomotives have heaters.  They tie in to the 480 HEP on the cars, which we have to keep on in cold weather to keep the cars from freezing as well.

If we are going to be using a locomotive without a heater during the winter we keep it running, or run it often enough to keep it from freezing.

If it's OOS for the year, it gets drained.

LarryWhistling
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Posted by Electroliner 1935 on Sunday, March 13, 2022 10:20 PM

tree68
I've run 1835 numerous times.  It's a good locomotive, and one of two RS18u's on the roster. Great video, by the way.

Nice video Harrison, I have two questions. One for Larry and one for Harrison:

1) @ 6:20 in the video, as I157 approaches, its horn is blown but the ditch lights don't flash. Other trains did flash when a horn blown. Defect? 

2) Larry. I note a number of EMD diesels and wonder what your RR does to handle freezing since antifreeze isn't recommended. Drain or heaters?

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Posted by tree68 on Saturday, March 12, 2022 7:30 PM

Flintlock76
Now that goes to show you just how heroic steam engines are.  Even sitting cold and immobile it saved the station!  

There is video of the actual collision from the other side (east) side of the tower.  As I recall there were folks waiting on Amtrak.  Much scurrying.  Fortunately, no one was hurt.

The tower was closed for repairs for some months.

All because a 13 YO released the handbrake...

It was a pain because all passengers for Track 1 had to be escorted across the tracks.

LarryWhistling
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Posted by Flintlock76 on Saturday, March 12, 2022 5:23 PM

tree68
NYC 6721 is the only NYC steam engine extant in NY state.  It actually bore the brunt of the runaway covered hopper several years ago, likely saving the tower (that Harrison was standing next to) from total destruction, which might have dropped the overhead walkway onto the tracks. 

Now that goes to show you just how heroic steam engines are.  Even sitting cold and immobile it saved the station!  Thumbs Up

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Posted by tree68 on Saturday, March 12, 2022 5:10 PM

rixflix

Like a lot of new townhouse developments, the Utica station looks like it's made of bainbridge board.  Rick

There is a lot of construction in the area west of the station.  Not much of it is visible in the video, though.  The four story brick building is an old warehouse.

Harrison's morning location was adjacent to the Susquehanna yard.  You can catch a couple of glimpses of the old Lackawanna freight house.

From that same location you can also spot a bit of the old Rome, Watertown & Ogdensburg roundhouse and the Adirondack's new engine house.

What you see of the Utica station is the towers supporting the walkway over the tracks.  The station proper is a wonder to behold.  It was built in 1914, and I think it was designed by the same folks that designed GCT.  Google "Utica Union Station" and see for yourself.  Yes, the benches are heated.

At one time the station held the payroll office for the Central, as well as a dispatcher's office.

Oneida County took over the station, and, to their credit, preserved it instead of tearing it down.  It now houses Amtrak, a bus station, the Adirondack, numerous county offices (including DMV), a restaurant, and even a barber shop.

NYC 6721 is the only NYC steam engine extant in NY state.  It actually bore the brunt of the runaway covered hopper several years ago, likely saving the tower (that Harrison was standing next to) from total destruction, which might have dropped the overhead walkway onto the tracks.  The locomotive has been cosmetically rehabilitated.  It is owned by the local chapter of NRHS.

The maroon NS coach is one of two the Adirondack bought several years ago.  The M420 (widecab) was just added to the roster.  Visible in several of the shots from the track 2 platform is the Adirondack's "new" diner.

I've run 1835 numerous times.  It's a good locomotive, and one of two RS18u's on the roster.

Great video, by the way.

LarryWhistling
Resident Microferroequinologist (at least at my house) 
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Posted by rixflix on Saturday, March 12, 2022 4:05 PM

Like a lot of new townhouse developments, the Utica station looks like it's made of bainbridge board.

Rick

rixflix aka Captain Video. Blessed be Jean Shepherd and all His works!!! Hooray for 1939, the all time movie year!!! I took that ride on the Reading but my Baby caught the Katy and left me a mule to ride.

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Posted by Flintlock76 on Saturday, March 12, 2022 10:11 AM

And some fine action indeed!

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Posted by Harrison on Friday, March 11, 2022 7:22 PM

After over 3 years, I return to the Mohawk sub for some more action!

https://youtu.be/zCUWuRf_XJY

Harrison

Homeschooler living In upstate NY a.k.a Northern NY.

Modeling the D&H in 1978.

Route of the famous "Montreal Limited"

My YouTube

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Posted by Harrison on Tuesday, March 1, 2022 7:36 AM

tree68

Will you be at St Albans?  Look me up if you are.

 

Sent you a PM.

Harrison

Homeschooler living In upstate NY a.k.a Northern NY.

Modeling the D&H in 1978.

Route of the famous "Montreal Limited"

My YouTube

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Posted by tree68 on Saturday, February 26, 2022 7:56 PM

Will you be at St Albans?  Look me up if you are.

LarryWhistling
Resident Microferroequinologist (at least at my house) 
Everyone goes home; Safety begins with you
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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 Harrison on Friday, February 25, 2022 3:09 PM

We've got a BIG one this week, covering my adventures to Springfield and back. Some rare catches are in this one!

https://youtu.be/aly65Bd9kuA

Harrison

Homeschooler living In upstate NY a.k.a Northern NY.

Modeling the D&H in 1978.

Route of the famous "Montreal Limited"

My YouTube

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Posted by Overmod on Saturday, February 19, 2022 11:00 AM

Some fun context:

https://www.mechanicvilleny.gov/city-historian/pages/railroads-part-i-iii

(I am unaware of any historic context whatsoever for spelling Fitchburg, either in the civic or railroad sense, with an "h", but would be interested to read any evidence for it a la Pittsburgh...)

 

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Posted by Flintlock76 on Saturday, February 19, 2022 9:50 AM

Harrison
It's been a while since I've done a railfanning video (with the Amherst Hobby Show videos) but I'm finally back for some northend action:

Watched it last night Harrison, but you already know that.  Good show!

By the way gents, if you haven't watched Harrison's Amherst train show videos give them a look, even if you're not into model railroading.  Interesting!

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Posted by Harrison on Saturday, February 19, 2022 7:38 AM

It's been a while since I've done a railfanning video (with the Amherst Hobby Show videos) but I'm finally back for some northend action:

https://youtu.be/uYqni0qXtUU

Harrison

Homeschooler living In upstate NY a.k.a Northern NY.

Modeling the D&H in 1978.

Route of the famous "Montreal Limited"

My YouTube

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Posted by Harrison on Monday, January 24, 2022 7:57 AM

The warning marker is for buried fiber optic cable. Not sure about the lumber.

Harrison

Homeschooler living In upstate NY a.k.a Northern NY.

Modeling the D&H in 1978.

Route of the famous "Montreal Limited"

My YouTube

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Posted by Electroliner 1935 on Saturday, January 22, 2022 4:53 PM

Two questions, Harrison, @ 027 in the video, there is a glimse of a marker [WARNING] alongside the near rail. What is it for? F.O. cable or ??.

Also I noticed between 058 and 103, multiple lumber cars with gaps of the load on the top layer. Looking like they are either being loaded short or they have lost loading. Any thoughts.

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Posted by Harrison on Saturday, January 22, 2022 7:36 AM

In this short video we catch a late 930 as well as CP navy unit 7022.

https://youtu.be/M3ZW5esPulE

Harrison

Homeschooler living In upstate NY a.k.a Northern NY.

Modeling the D&H in 1978.

Route of the famous "Montreal Limited"

My YouTube

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  • From: Northern NY (Think Upstate but even more)
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Posted by Harrison on Friday, January 14, 2022 6:50 PM

https://youtu.be/I7ExxwFK_Y8

My latest video includes a VERY southern visitor as well as a CP heritage..

Harrison

Homeschooler living In upstate NY a.k.a Northern NY.

Modeling the D&H in 1978.

Route of the famous "Montreal Limited"

My YouTube

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Posted by SALfan1 on Monday, January 10, 2022 9:20 PM

Flintlock76

 

 
Overmod
Why not a warm-weather biathlon? Drive down the fairway and shoot at an expanded target from that location before approach shots.  Pistol range on the greens.  Adds zest when there's slow play ahead of you.

 

Brilliant!  

Honestly, I tried golf a few times, just couldn't get into it. Kinda dull really.

My late brother-in-law Brian referred to televised golf tournaments as "Watching paint dry!" 

 

There was a commercial on TV a year or so ago that had a giant dragon rear up out of a water hazard and start creating mayhem.  If televised golf had that kind of excitement I might watch it.  Of course, here in Florida playing golf can get quite exciting when a big alligator emerges from the water hazard and tries to make a meal out of the golfers. 

Someone (Mark Twain?) once described golf as "A good walk, spoiled".  I spent so much time chasing cows around a pasture while growing up that I have no desire to chase a little white ball around a (very well-maintained) cow pasture.  At least the cows are easy to see.

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Posted by tree68 on Monday, January 10, 2022 6:12 PM

BaltACD
With Getty money they should be omniscient.

Especially with that asking price...

LarryWhistling
Resident Microferroequinologist (at least at my house) 
Everyone goes home; Safety begins with you
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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 BaltACD on Monday, January 10, 2022 4:05 PM

Flintlock76
 
BaltACD
The caption is not correct.  

Hey, it's a Getty stock photo.  What do they know?  

With Getty money they should be omniscient.

Never too old to have a happy childhood!

              

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Posted by Flintlock76 on Monday, January 10, 2022 3:53 PM

BaltACD
The caption is not correct. 

Hey, it's a Getty stock photo.  What do they know?  

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Posted by BaltACD on Monday, January 10, 2022 1:10 PM

Flintlock76
For those interested in things Mechanicville NY "Wanswheel" comes though again!

https://www.gettyimages.ie/detail/news-photo/railroad-despatcher-looking-over-the-railway-yards-at-news-photo/51271781

The caption is not correct.  The individual is either a 'Hump Master' or a 'Car Retarder Operator'.  Both are involved with switching cars in a hump yard.

Dispatchers are involved with directing the movement of trains on Main Lines outside of yards.

Never too old to have a happy childhood!

              

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Posted by Flintlock76 on Sunday, January 9, 2022 2:27 PM

zugmann

 

 
Flintlock76
Talk about an attention getter!  

 

And that's the story of how you got banned from Walmart. 

 

Yeah, I know.  There's no smoking of any kind allowed in Walmarts!    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R47T-jk416A

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Posted by Convicted One on Sunday, January 9, 2022 9:20 AM

Electroliner 1935
You indicate XO is now a museum.

 

LOL, I wondered why there was a shiny new, multi-stall bike rack at  an interlocking tower

 

 

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Posted by zugmann on Sunday, January 9, 2022 8:47 AM

Harrison
Thank you all for the comments, and I agree re golf being rather bland. 

If it wasn't for the golf course that'd be all trees and brush.  No views of the RR. 

I never played golf (except for the windmill kind), so I can't critique it one way or the other. 

It's been fun.  But it isn't much fun anymore.   Signing off for now. 


  

The opinions expressed here represent my own and not those of my employer, any other railroad, company, or person.t fun any

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Posted by zugmann on Sunday, January 9, 2022 8:45 AM

Flintlock76
Talk about an attention getter!  

And that's the story of how you got banned from Walmart. 

It's been fun.  But it isn't much fun anymore.   Signing off for now. 


  

The opinions expressed here represent my own and not those of my employer, any other railroad, company, or person.t fun any

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