Bad train pictures

[CSSHEGEWISCH]

By the time the U23B was introduced, the U25B had been out of production for a while. The design of the U23B/C probably had more in common with the U30B/C which was already in production. Re-introduction of an older design would have been impractical from a production standpoint.

The U18B was an attempt to compete with the GP15 line. SCL, MEC and P&W were the only takers on the U18B in the United States.

[CSSHEGEWISCH]

By the time the U23B was introduced, the U25B had been out of production for a while. The design of the U23B/C probably had more in common with the U30B/C which was already in production. Re-introduction of an older design would have been impractical from a production standpoint.

The U18B was an attempt to compete with the GP15 line. SCL, MEC and P&W were the only takers on the U18B in the United States.

[tree68]

QUOTE: Originally posted by dehusman

DED probably means "dragging equipment detector". If alerts the crew something is dragging off the train.

Dave H.

Many also have an HBD - hot box detector. In the days of the caboose, they would often have a light that would flash, alerting the rear-end crew there was a problem. They report the number of axles/cars forward of the end of the train as where the problem is.

Nowadays, they broadcast a report on the radio: "CSX Syracuse, New York, Track 1, no defects, axle count 408, train speed 45, over." The head end crew acknowledges the report on the radio.

It's good to know/find out where the DED/HBD's are if you are trainwatching with a scanner. They can help alert you to traffic, at least from one direction.

[tree68]

QUOTE: Originally posted by dehusman

DED probably means "dragging equipment detector". If alerts the crew something is dragging off the train.

Dave H.

Many also have an HBD - hot box detector. In the days of the caboose, they would often have a light that would flash, alerting the rear-end crew there was a problem. They report the number of axles/cars forward of the end of the train as where the problem is.

Nowadays, they broadcast a report on the radio: "CSX Syracuse, New York, Track 1, no defects, axle count 408, train speed 45, over." The head end crew acknowledges the report on the radio.

It's good to know/find out where the DED/HBD's are if you are trainwatching with a scanner. They can help alert you to traffic, at least from one direction.

[locomutt]

If I'm not too badly misaken,some of the lower H.P. units
sortof appeared around the time of the "FUEL CRISIS".
I think I remember hearing where the roads were shutting
the units down instead of allowing them to idle overnight.

Really don't know if this has any truth to it or not.

[locomutt]

If I'm not too badly misaken,some of the lower H.P. units
sortof appeared around the time of the "FUEL CRISIS".
I think I remember hearing where the roads were shutting
the units down instead of allowing them to idle overnight.

Really don't know if this has any truth to it or not.

[edblysard]

Same reason I switch with two 1500 hp MK1500Ds, instead of one 3000 hp SD40.
Some times you dont needs or want that much HP.
If your a local switching job, trying to finagle cars into and out of some industires requires not so much hp as ability to stop quick , and be manuverable.
And add to that the fact that, when the U boats were first brough out, class 1 roads still did a lot of local switching.
Now days, its the long haul trains they worry about, they leave the short locals to railroads like mine.

Put it this way,
you can go duck hunting with a AK47,
but why would you want to?
Ed

[edblysard]

Same reason I switch with two 1500 hp MK1500Ds, instead of one 3000 hp SD40.
Some times you dont needs or want that much HP.
If your a local switching job, trying to finagle cars into and out of some industires requires not so much hp as ability to stop quick , and be manuverable.
And add to that the fact that, when the U boats were first brough out, class 1 roads still did a lot of local switching.
Now days, its the long haul trains they worry about, they leave the short locals to railroads like mine.

Put it this way,
you can go duck hunting with a AK47,
but why would you want to?
Ed

[wabash1]

In every picture i have seen and every movie and even the trains i have seen in person all have one thing in comon a headlight. on modern engines i know how they get there power, but on a steam engine there is fire and water to produce power for moving a train how is the electric provided to power headlights?

[wabash1]

In every picture i have seen and every movie and even the trains i have seen in person all have one thing in comon a headlight. on modern engines i know how they get there power, but on a steam engine there is fire and water to produce power for moving a train how is the electric provided to power headlights?

[dehusman]

Originally the headlight was like a oil lamp, burned kerosine on a wick, after a practical light bulb was inveneted they used electricity. Steam powered a little steam turbo generator on the engine. If you look on a model engine just ahead of the cab or somewhere on the to will be a little round thing sitting crossways with a little spike coming out to top on one end. That's the generator.

Dave H.

[dehusman]

Originally the headlight was like a oil lamp, burned kerosine on a wick, after a practical light bulb was inveneted they used electricity. Steam powered a little steam turbo generator on the engine. If you look on a model engine just ahead of the cab or somewhere on the to will be a little round thing sitting crossways with a little spike coming out to top on one end. That's the generator.

Dave H.

[UPTRAIN]

Very well said dehusman, absolutly right.

[UPTRAIN]

Very well said dehusman, absolutly right.

[edblysard]

And that little rascal is loud!
Was standing next the the Challenger #3985, back in 1995.
Waiting to pull out, the steam turbine was whinning , about drives you bats...
just at the upper edge of your hearing range.
Stay frosty,
Ed

[edblysard]

And that little rascal is loud!
Was standing next the the Challenger #3985, back in 1995.
Waiting to pull out, the steam turbine was whinning , about drives you bats...
just at the upper edge of your hearing range.
Stay frosty,
Ed

[wabash1]

QUOTE: Originally posted by dehusman

Originally the headlight was like a oil lamp, burned kerosine on a wick, after a practical light bulb was inveneted they used electricity. Steam powered a little steam turbo generator on the engine. If you look on a model engine just ahead of the cab or somewhere on the to will be a little round thing sitting crossways with a little spike coming out to top on one end. That's the generator.

Dave H.

thanks for the answer now lets get just a little more into it. if a steam generator was used did the steam stay at one steady stream to keep it running at max speed or was it a deal where the faster you go the more it spun the generator and the brighter the light got? now a days we would call it regulated

[wabash1]

QUOTE: Originally posted by dehusman

Originally the headlight was like a oil lamp, burned kerosine on a wick, after a practical light bulb was inveneted they used electricity. Steam powered a little steam turbo generator on the engine. If you look on a model engine just ahead of the cab or somewhere on the to will be a little round thing sitting crossways with a little spike coming out to top on one end. That's the generator.

Dave H.

thanks for the answer now lets get just a little more into it. if a steam generator was used did the steam stay at one steady stream to keep it running at max speed or was it a deal where the faster you go the more it spun the generator and the brighter the light got? now a days we would call it regulated

[rrnut282]

I may be wrong, but I thought the only control was on/off. Boiler boiler pressure and electrical load determined the speed.

[rrnut282]

I may be wrong, but I thought the only control was on/off. Boiler boiler pressure and electrical load determined the speed.

[Modelcar]

...."Originally the headlight was like a oil lamp"....Didn't we see in locomotive history and just as they were being developed the first night runs were accomplished by building a "bonfire" on the front of the loco to make some light....Not OSHA approved.

[Modelcar]

...."Originally the headlight was like a oil lamp"....Didn't we see in locomotive history and just as they were being developed the first night runs were accomplished by building a "bonfire" on the front of the loco to make some light....Not OSHA approved.

[dehusman]

There probably was some sort of pressure regulator on the steam line to keep the turbo running about the same speed, generating the same voltage of electricity. The load would be pretty small, maybe two headlights, class lights and engine gages. I don't think steam supply was a really big problem.

Dave H

[dehusman]

There probably was some sort of pressure regulator on the steam line to keep the turbo running about the same speed, generating the same voltage of electricity. The load would be pretty small, maybe two headlights, class lights and engine gages. I don't think steam supply was a really big problem.

Dave H

[Mikeygaw]

ok, i was out railfanning today, and i saw two sticks with markers on top... one was marked 7A and the other 62. There was also two rails laying next to the tracks. Were the markers identifying the location of the rails. If not, what might they be marking?

[Mikeygaw]

ok, i was out railfanning today, and i saw two sticks with markers on top... one was marked 7A and the other 62. There was also two rails laying next to the tracks. Were the markers identifying the location of the rails. If not, what might they be marking?

[mudchicken]

Sticks as in survey lathe? Sticks as in sign posts ????- need more detail. Could be anything from where to find a survey control point to circuit markers for signal wiring to test hole locations to rail defect cocations to ??????????????.[%-)][%-)][%-)][%-)][%-)]


Tell us more or post a photo please.....

[mudchicken]

Sticks as in survey lathe? Sticks as in sign posts ????- need more detail. Could be anything from where to find a survey control point to circuit markers for signal wiring to test hole locations to rail defect cocations to ??????????????.[%-)][%-)][%-)][%-)][%-)]


Tell us more or post a photo please.....

[Mikeygaw]

no photo... not sure what a survey lathe is, so i can't really say... they were wood, so i doubt they were permanent sign markers. The sign portions looked like the blank side of an index card, but much bigger... it was orange, so i might guess it is was MOW

[Mikeygaw]

no photo... not sure what a survey lathe is, so i can't really say... they were wood, so i doubt they were permanent sign markers. The sign portions looked like the blank side of an index card, but much bigger... it was orange, so i might guess it is was MOW