Project 6029 update

Trevor Heath · **Posted:** Sat Feb 09, 2013 12:07 pm

http://blog.project6029.com/

whodom · **Posted:** Sat Feb 09, 2013 12:54 pm

Thanks for posting the update.

Interesting that the Aussies are proceeding right ahead with restoring one of their "Big Boys" while everyone here except die-hard foamers scoffs at the notion of us doing the same.

;-)

Dave · **Posted:** Sat Feb 09, 2013 1:58 pm

In all fairness, Hugh, they have someplace to put theirs to use.

dave

whodom · **Posted:** Sat Feb 09, 2013 2:03 pm

Good point, and since a Garratt goes around curves considerably more easily than a Mallet type articulated, that probably means it can operate on much more contemporary track in Australia (relatively speaking) than a Big Boy could in the U.S.

Trevor Heath · **Posted:** Sat Feb 09, 2013 2:46 pm

Did anyone else notice that the third set of drivers appear to have blind flanges?

Loco is expected to steam this year but not run until the (OZ) winter of 2014

TH

Alexander D. Mitchell IV · **Posted:** Sat Feb 09, 2013 3:24 pm

Also to be fair, for standard gauge they're approximately half the weight of a Big Boy, and less than half the tractive effort (59-63,000 lbs.).

But I'll still want to see a spectacle match, if one could ever be arranged.....

Trevor Heath · **Posted:** Sat Feb 09, 2013 6:55 pm

to such a hypothetical match of existing and operating locomotives, I'd want to bring the East African 59 class Garratt 5918 83,000 lbs and on the meter gauge.

G. W. Laepple · **Joined:** Mon Aug 23, 2004 5:10 pm **Posts:** 1182

Just in case you were wondering what an Australian Standard Garratt like 6029 sounds like, here are two of 'em doubleheaded, down on their knees on a coalie:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-1EWpCQP7eE

whodom · **Posted:** Sat Feb 09, 2013 7:33 pm

^ THAT was pretty damn impressive.

J3a-614 · **Posted:** Sat Feb 09, 2013 7:51 pm

Those Garratts are impressive indeed! And the photography so reminds me, for some reason, of something O. Winston Link would do!

And what about those American looking hoppers full of coal?

Arrrgh, I live in the wrong time. . .

Alexander D. Mitchell IV · **Posted:** Sat Feb 09, 2013 7:51 pm

G. W. Laepple wrote:

Just in case you were wondering what an Australian Standard Garratt like 6029 sounds like, here are two of 'em doubleheaded, down on their knees on a coalie:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-1EWpCQP7eE

Best damn "train porn" (as my wife jokingly calls it) since that high-speed pacing run of the SAR Red Devil.....

G. W. Laepple · **Joined:** Mon Aug 23, 2004 5:10 pm **Posts:** 1182

Wait -- there's more.

Check out the articulation as they go through the crossover.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NgijJgqXA40

And this

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NgijJgqXA40

superheater · **Joined:** Sun Aug 22, 2004 11:54 pm **Posts:** 2605

At one time Baldwin considered making Garratts for domestic U.S use, not sure why they didn't pursue the idea further (guess: turntable lengths); but watching them in action on these videos, makes me consider the failure to do so a rather distinct loss.

Alexander D. Mitchell IV · **Posted:** Sat Feb 09, 2013 8:21 pm

superheater wrote:

At one time Baldwin considered making Garratts for domestic U.S use, not sure why they didn't pursue the idea further (guess: turntable lengths); but watching them in action on these videos, makes me consider the failure to do so a rather distinct loss.

Um, you don't NEED turntables for Beyer-Garratts. Unless you're on a tunnel-filled line that warranted cab-forwards--and how many railroads had THOSE?

Dave · **Posted:** Sat Feb 09, 2013 8:26 pm

I think it has to do with boiler maintenance. removing tubes or elements requires separating the front engine and tank. Mallets - no problem.

dave