Conversions

[Anonymous]

Diesel to steam?
Steam to Diesel?
Electric to Diesel?
Diesel to Electric?
Hydraulic to Electric?
Electric to Hydraulic?

Lots of different attempts have been made over the years to recycle locomotives or test new ideas using rebuilt/modified existing units. I saw several and learned of others while visiting Cuba in April.

You don't hear much about this topic. Were there any truly successful conversions, or did they all fail miserably?

Hank Morris

[Anonymous]

Hi Hank.Here are some conversions I read about in old issues of Railroad Magazine.A shortline in southern US put a gas engine in a 2-6-0,another one put a gas engine in a Heisler or Climax back in 1930's.The strangest story was a 1946 article about a Swiss WWII conversion; Due to lack of coal in World War II Switzerland a 0-6-0 steamer was converted to electricty ! Pantograph on cab roof,heating element in boiler.I doubt if any of these were very succesful.See any steam in Cuba?

[Anonymous]

Lots and lots. My report will be in National Railway Bulletin (NRHS) early next year. Took over 400 photos. Got maps of every mill visited. Rode RDC from one end (Havana) to other (Santiago de Cuba). Naturally, it broke down and ran on one engine.
More fun than should be allowed. BTW--getting there is simple if you're on an escorted tour. We flew from Miami International Airport on Continental Airlines directly to Havana. There's still a lot of BS hypocracy about "no direct flights from US." You check baggage in the basement. Can you believe it?
Too much to tell, not enough space here.
Hank