The NEW and IMPROVED Question Thread (with Index and Page Links)

[techguy57]

Thanks Jim for starting this "not-so-stupid" question thread. I recently have had some questions posed to me or that have come to mind I'm hoping to have answered. So here it goes:

Okay, as I said before I'm primarily a diesel fan and I don't know too much about steam. So, why does smoke "puff" out of the steam engines with a certain cadence, in rhythm so to speak rather than just pour out constantly. It is especially noticeable when the engine is first starting to move. Second question: What is the purpose of releasing steam out of the sides of the steam locos?

Thanks in advance!

Mike

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by UPTRAIN

Hey you guys, turns out that unit in North Little Rock was the only G8 in the country! Here's a pic of it being loaded on a ship! That's the last thing I thought it was, but it has the tiny grille at the end of the long hood, and it still has the same hood door open, lol!

http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=117295

Zach [8D]

Thanks for the update and the photo. It is a much better photo than mine by a long shot, and in much better light. We can actually see the cab on it too. [;)]

Good work Zach. [:)]


Carl [:)]

Thanks for your answers on the wheelset question and the 40 and 45 question.


Hey Everyone [^]

Keep those questions and answers coming. I appreciate all your help. [:D]

[UPTRAIN]

Yeah, it was the only G8 in Israel, it says they were sold to NRE, will NRE they rebuild them and sell them back? Is there some kind of international stuff that requires this?

[UPTRAIN]

Hey you guys, turns out that unit in North Little Rock was the only G8 in the country! Here's a pic of it being loaded on a ship! That's the last thing I thought it was, but it has the tiny grille at the end of the long hood, and it still has the same hood door open, lol!

http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=117295

[CShaveRR]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Murphy Siding

Are locomotive trucks standardized? I've read about a lot of 2nd generation units that had *trade-in* trucks from FTs or PAs. Is it that simple to re-cycle them, even, if they came from another manufacturer?

The only parts that would be re-used would be the side frames, brake rigging, and suspension system. Wheelsets are changed out regularly as a matter of course, and the traction motors were probably an integral part of the new locomotive model. The bearings could be upgraded as necessary, presumably.

Using the trucks of a different manufacturer may have brought on some "shoehorning" problems with the motors.

[CShaveRR]

QUOTE: Originally posted by cpbloom

Did Chessie System ever own any SD40/SD40-2s or were they all GP40/GP40-2s?

C&O, B&O, and Western Maryland all operated SD40s; they were in Chessie System's 7500 series.

Only the B&O owned SD40-2s, numbered 7600-7619.

[CShaveRR]

Re: Jack Wheelihan

I don't know if he's been in on the forum as a participant, but I suspect that he could be made aware of this question if a moderator were to pick up on it. He is probably the closest thing to a "universal locomotive expert" that exists--besides being a steam operator he's also retired from EMD, management side.

[Murphy Siding]

Are locomotive trucks standardized? I've read about a lot of 2nd generation units that had *trade-in* trucks from FTs or PAs. Is it that simple to re-cycle them, even, if they came from another manufacturer?
Thanks

[edblysard]

It is a G12...should see four or five more in a while.
We get these, and a bunch for Argentina, Ferro Expresso railway, in and out of Houston a lot.

Have some photos of the last Ferro Expresso G12 on its way to Argentina after NRE rebuilt it.

Got a bunch of Korean G12s in here about two years ago.

Ed

[Anonymous]

I know that is not a great photo. If it is still there tomorrow I am going to try and get some better shots of it. [8D]

NOTICE the European style couplers !

At first I was wondering if this was one of the Russian made locos that sat in Houston for the last 10 years or longer. It looks like it really does need a lot of work.

Interesting find if I do say so myself. [;)]

[Sterling1]

QUOTE: Originally posted by UPTRAIN

Jim spied this in North Little Rock UP Yard today, he wanted to know what it was. After some research by me, I know for sure it is an Israel Railways unit, I'm thinking G12, maybe a G16. Jim said it was 4 axle, but they sometimes switch trucks out en route. It's heading from Houston, Texas to Mount Vernon, IL, National Railway Equipment Company. It is loaded on flatcar OTTX 97030. Maybe somebody can confirm what model it is.

[img.nr]http://www.pbrail.org/Jimpix/eurounit.JPG[/img.nr]

I remember reading something of that nature on Trains.com a few weeks ago. Said that Israeli Railways wanted to have the units rebuilt by NRE.

Matt

[UPTRAIN]

Jim spied this in North Little Rock UP Yard today, he wanted to know what it was. After some research by me, I know for sure it is an Israel Railways unit, I'm thinking G12, maybe a G16. Jim said it was 4 axle, but they sometimes switch trucks out en route. It's heading from Houston, Texas to Mount Vernon, IL, National Railway Equipment Company. It is loaded on flatcar OTTX 97030. Maybe somebody can confirm what model it is.

[img.nr]http://www.pbrail.org/Jimpix/eurounit.JPG[/img.nr]

[cpbloom]

Did Chessie System ever own any SD40/SD40-2s or were they all GP40/GP40-2s?

[lonewoof]

Back in the late '60's, early '70's SCL (Family Lines) ran occasional publicity trips using Clinchfield RR #1 ( a 4-4-0, I think). It was backed up by a F-something B-unit, which I was led to believe was controlled from the cab of #1.
I took a slew of pictures, all of which were lost in the mail. Bummer.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by CShaveRR

The person to talk to about operating the diesels in m.u. from a steam locomotive would be Jack Wheelihan, who gets out on nearly all of the trips made by big steam. I believe he came up with the concept.

Is he a Trains.com member? [?]

[CShaveRR]

The person to talk to about operating the diesels in m.u. from a steam locomotive would be Jack Wheelihan, who gets out on nearly all of the trips made by big steam. I believe he came up with the concept.

[rrandb]

QUOTE: Originally posted by rrandb

Did EMD's FT103 ABBA demonstrators leave Lagrange equipped with steam generators. If not what was the first F unit to have EMD build it with a SG installed. This is not a trvia question??? THANKS

This is the opposite. Were there any diesel's FT's built at LaGrange with steam generators before the end of WWII.

[Anonymous]

Any more discussion on the steam engine with diesel helpers would be appreciated. [:)]

More questions are always welcome also, so ask away. [;)]

[tree68]

Putting a box in a steamer to control diesels isn't new - Clinchfield did it with their little ten wheeler (which I think is now at the B&O museum). They "disguised" an F B-unit as another pax car for their excursions, since the steamer couldn't handle the trains on its own. On the other hand, I have no idea if they've done it with 3985.

[Anonymous]

After watching one of the three vids in another thread and seeing the 3985 with two diesels behind it I wonder . . . can the diesels now be controlled by the 3985's engineer (thanks to moderen technology and MU and all) or do the diesels still have to have their own train crew ? ? ? Is the 3985 set up with DPU technology ? ? ? OR is there some other way the 3985 might control the diesel helpers ? ? ? [?]

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by chad thomas


OK Jim, only now I have to think of NEW and IMPROVED questions as opposed to regular questions.

That is a lot of pressure.[(-D]

No Pressure Chad. [:D]

Just ask any question, someone will try and answer it. Sometimes 2 or 3 people will answer it each shedding a little different light on the subject and helping to cover it just a little more.

So ask away. The old question thread had many a good answer. I hope this one does as well.

[mudchicken]

Flange Lubricator (proper term)

Wheel plunger mechanically lets out the grease along the blades.

Usage determines maintenance/ refill schedule for the 5 gallons of grease in the pot. (Most grease now comes in a plastic sack that gets dropped in the holding pot - 30+% of the flange lubricant now used is not petroleum based)

Lubricators are quite common. Placed wherever rail wear/tonnage is a problem.

Even though train crews hate 'em, you GOTTA have them. There is a science to properly applying the grease beads in the proper amount.

Got "goop gage"? [:D]

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Sterling1

These were the last questions I put on topic ...

Is there a reason for WP unit 707 for having this kind of headlight instead a vertical set?
http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=107255
Also is this extention common?
http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=107295

As of today they haven't been answered ...

Matt


Hey Matt [:)]

The single headlight was a common item on many early diesels. I really like it too, to me it adds some character to them. If you were to compare the same model with a single headlight and a twin headlight you would see what I mean. The single headlight, to me anyway, just looks better. [^]


About that homemade extension, the engineer probally did that for his own convience. Many switching jobs are done by the same crew using the same engine day after day. There might be another crew to also use this engine but they both probally agreed on that "setup" and left it just like that. I am not sure the FRA would approve of it. There are a few other items (seen in that photo) that railroaders would not like either. However, I will not point them out. You just don't leave an engine, open to people, as was done here. It certainly is a question of safety. Even if the engineer was still in the engine there are a few things he didn't do that he should have done.

[tree68]

QUOTE: Originally posted by jhhtrainsplanes

After many pages of the previous "Question" thread it appears it is the wish of the original poster to let that thread die. [:(] [V] [|)] That thread contained many extremely good questions and equally valid answers. It is a shame to see it go considering it was such a wealth of information. Many of our newer users have search that thread and learned much valuable information from it.

Perhaps it can be archived and made available via another avenue on the Trains website. Or, if someone has the time, it could be turned into an FAQ page.

[tree68]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Sterling1

These were the last questions I put on topic ...

Is there a reason for WP unit 707 for having this kind of headlight instead a vertical set?
http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=107255

I believe you'll find that that headlight (sorry - don't know the manufacturer) was standard for WP when that locomotive was acquired. Either it was never changed, or the current owner backdated it to original.

QUOTE:
Also is this extention common?
http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=107295

As of today they haven't been answered ...

Matt

Can't help you on the second one. Interesting concept, though.

[edblysard]

Trailryder,
You guessed right.
As rrandb stated, it is a flange greaser, used to lube the inside flanges of the wheels.
This one wouldn’t be located near a curve, is it?
As for turning it on and off, they are on all the time, there is a trip mechanism or trigger inside the rail head, just before the grease nozzle.
I don’t know the service schedule, but the ones on my railroad get filled once every two weeks, although they are on a switching lead with a curve, so they do get a lot of use.
Ed

[rrandb]

YES to the first question and are sometimes call flange oilers or greasers. They help prevent flange and rail wear. You don't see them very often and I do not know. Hope that helps. ENJOY

[Trailryder]

I gotta question, I don't know if it is new or improved, but it is a question.
I ran across this strange looking track greaser today. I have never seen one before and had to wonder exactly what they are for?
I can only guess that they lubricate the wheel flanges.
Is this correct or is it something all together different.
Are they used very often and how often do they need refilled.





Thanks for the new and improved question area.

And thanks for the New and improved Answers.

Later Bill

[rrandb]

Did EMD's FT103 ABBA demonstrators leave Lagrange equipped with steam generators. If not what was the first F unit to have EMD build it with a SG installed. This is not a trvia question??? THANKS

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by coborn35

Thanks for the new thread ***. I will have to find something I dont know....lol

No Problem, George. [:D] [;)] [:D]