Something that story never explained (at least so I could understand it, anyway) is HOW did the engineer recover without dynamic brakes after the conductor "big holed" the air. As they gained speed, the time to the bottom was significantly shorter than the time it would normally take to recharge the air.
rrnut282Something that story never explained (at least so I could understand it, anyway) is HOW did the engineer recover without dynamic brakes after the conductor "big holed" the air. As they gained speed, the time to the bottom was significantly shorter than the time it would normally take to recharge the air.
I'm not quite sure either. Older air systems worked different than what I am used to, and the emergency was from the rear end, not the engine. Probably no PCS on the engine either. Maybe the engine just kept pumping into the trainline...
Mike WSOR engineer | HO scale since 1988 | Visit our club www.WCGandyDancers.com
rrnut282 Something that story never explained (at least so I could understand it, anyway) is HOW did the engineer recover without dynamic brakes after the conductor "big holed" the air. As they gained speed, the time to the bottom was significantly shorter than the time it would normally take to recharge the air.
I may not remember correctly, but I think with the brakes in emergency, the wheels had locked up and were sliding. The engineer radioed the conductor to close the air, and he was able to regain control of the train with service application of the brakes. Like I said, I may not remember correctly, or I may be confusing this incident with another story.
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"A stranger's just a friend you ain't met yet." --- Dave Gardner
ALL:
Is the Madison, Ind. hill track still used or has it been taken up? Is it a trail?
I remember reading an ICC accident report (can't locate it) about an accident on that line involving a steam engine. That engine had vacuum booster brakes. So, what were vacuum booster brakes?
Ed Burns
The government facility is/was the Jefferson Proving Ground, built during WWII to test primarily artillery ordiance. It's now an industrial park - I don't beleive they have any active shippers or consignees in the park, but the rail line is making a very nice income on car storage.
The Indiana Railroad Bull Session site has an active thread on the railroad happening that includes just about anything you'd like to know about the line - it's a great bunch of folks.
http://indianarailroads.org/board/index.php?topic=3531.0
NP EddieSo, what were vacuum booster brakes?
Likely a variation on the Eames Vacuum Brake. Eames was located in Watertown, NY and was purchased in total by New York Air Brake.
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...
tree68 NP Eddie So, what were vacuum booster brakes? Likely a variation on the Eames Vacuum Brake. Eames was located in Watertown, NY and was purchased in total by New York Air Brake.
NP Eddie So, what were vacuum booster brakes?
I am unsure of the reference to Vacuum Booster brake in the comment about the PRR's Madison Hill Incline; The only thing it might refer to(?) is possibly the braking on the steam engines used on the 'Hill' : some 0-8-0's, the Reuben Wells (an 0-8-0, later rebuilt as a 0-10-0 ). Or possibly a very early diesel that might have been used there at some time?
CatFood Flambe added the following: "...The government facility is/was the Jefferson Proving Ground, built during WWII to test primarily artillery ordiance. It's now an industrial park - I don't beleive they have any active shippers or consignees in the park, but the rail line is making a very nice income on car storage.
The Indiana Railroad Bull Session site has an active thread on the railroad happening that includes just about anything you'd like to know about the line - it's a great bunch of folks. { Note: this linked site has quite a few comments and a number of photos of the Madison Hill Incline; as well as the Jefferson Proving Grounds property at the top of the Incline...}
Link to page 1 of several pages on that Forum.
And this from a previous Post :
"...Reference: TRAINS, July 1962{ The Issue with the W&A "General" on the cover].
"America's Steepest Railroad: Pennsy's Madison Hill takes honors at 5.89 percent" Elmer G.Sulzer
7012 ft of track, climbs 412ft for a grade of 5.89%. The Madison & Indianapolis RR, 1st in Indiana, was plotted to go straight without tangents, the inclined plain was completed in 1841. was completed with State money by the State which transferred the line to the M&I organized Feb. 03,1843. First train to Indianapolis ran Oct. 1,1847. The State had laid rails rolled in Wales[England] 45# , in 15'9" and 18' lengths between Madison and Griffith's[ Queensland].The balance laid by the M&I to Indianapolis was strap rails..."
"...On Nov.9,1953 two EMD's took over, #8588 and 8589, C-C type, weighted to 360,000# each.Equipped with railwashing devices, wheel slip controls and automatic sanding systems, and dynamic brakes, They were referred to as the "Cadilacs". Train limit was 15 cars, gross weight 350 tons, exclusive of the engine weight..."
P.S. My understanding that the Two SD units 8858 and 8859 were eventually sold to the TRRA of St. Louis, after being disposed of in the aftermath of the Conrail/PC merger(?)
The "Hill" is still there, and the tracks are rusty, [as of last week]... The" Madison Hill", is in Madison Indiana, and runs along Ind. Rt. 7 down the hill. They used to serve an old "SHELL OIL" place along the "Ohio River" along with several other industries along the river. I used to live about 49 miles away, and remember the old "SD7"s that worked that hill. Once they switched "Madison Grocery" they would head down the hill.
Never heard of this Hill, sounds like another steep one. Friends and I recently returned from trip to NC and stopped at Saluda Grade, which is no longer used, and saw pics in museum of wrecks on that hill. We also saw Old Fort Loops which is used, NS train had just come off the loops when we saw it. And #611 used it on recent excursion.
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