Here at the Conway Scenic RR,we are having a rash of fires being started by the train.The funny thing is that the steam engine hasn't been the culprit. The brake shoes on the train have apparently thrown sparks into the dry weeds, and also our GP7 #573 has been throwing sparks from the stack as well.
The local newspaper has been crucifying us for any little puff of smoke (not to mention the noise debate) and we have taken #573 out of service. One of our F7s #4266 has been running the train to Barlett, and returning to North Conway with the rear end of the loco facing forward.
I'd like to know what other railroad is having this problem, and how are they coping with it? We have been ordered to set up a lorrey car with a 250gal.tank of water and a pump with 200ft. of hose. The car is to be towed behind a Hi-Rail truck following each train at a pre-determined distance.
At times like this...Winter don't sound so bad!

Brian Hebert


http://www.conwayscenic.com
bhebert@rypn.org

> Here at the Conway Scenic RR,we are having a
> rash of fires being started by the train.

> I'd like to know what other railroad is
> having this problem, and how are they coping
> with it?
> Brian Hebert

The Central Oregon & Pacific has a similar situation. See the sidebar on p. 45 of the August 2001 issue of RAILFAN & RAILROAD magazine.

They spray a heavy mist of water soaking the ballast and lineside vegetation as they run. The water cars are behind the engine or helper so the crew can see that it's working.

> I'd like to know what other railroad is
> having this problem, and how are they coping
> with it? We have been ordered to set up a
> lorrey car with a 250gal.tank of water and a
> pump with 200ft. of hose. The car is to be
> towed behind a Hi-Rail truck following each
> train at a pre-determined distance.
> At times like this...Winter don't sound so
> bad!

Out in the west where wildfires are serious business the Cumbres and Toltec and D&S routinely send speeders after the trains as fire patrol, with a rig much as you describe. I beleive Steamtown uses chase speeders as well.

eledbetter@rypn.org

> Out in the west where wildfires are serious
> business the Cumbres and Toltec and D&S
> routinely send speeders after the trains as
> fire patrol, with a rig much as you
> describe. I beleive Steamtown uses chase
> speeders as well.

In Campo, Ca. (East San Diego County) I had to see the problem on a EMD MRS-1 (GP7 with 6 axle an reducing in size of the high and wide for the Government)
The unit was furnish with P/N 8178185 and 8158868 The did not have a clean out trap on the manifold. The Unit start a fire ever time,
Is enclose then they had when are a engaged a top mount stack approvable Gov.
The only way was the get Trap manifold.


owenpaulsen@att.net

they make a manifold which has a build-in spark arrestor. Works well. We also have a fire speeder with water tank and hoses follow the train.

JimLundquist55@yahoo.com

The GP-7 2134 on the GCRy was fitted with screens on the exhaust stack- cut down considerably on spark started fires. The track crew does continue to patrol for fires behind the train.


azjimb@hotmail.com

> Here at the Conway Scenic RR,we are having a
> rash of fires being started by the train.The
> funny thing is that the steam engine hasn't
> been the culprit. The brake shoes on the
> train have apparently thrown sparks into the
> dry weeds, and also our GP7 #573 has been
> throwing sparks from the stack as well.
> The local newspaper has been crucifying us
> for any little puff of smoke (not to mention
> the noise debate) and we have taken #573 out
> of service. One of our F7s #4266 has been
> running the train to Barlett, and returning
> to North Conway with the rear end of the
> loco facing forward.
> I'd like to know what other railroad is
> having this problem, and how are they coping
> with it? We have been ordered to set up a
> lorrey car with a 250gal.tank of water and a
> pump with 200ft. of hose. The car is to be
> towed behind a Hi-Rail truck following each
> train at a pre-determined distance.
> At times like this...Winter don't sound so
> bad!

> Brian Hebert

The Nevada Northern Railway Museum in Ely, NV has a home-built spark arrester on top of the stack of 4-6-0 #40. In dry conditions a hi rail truck towing a speeder trailer equiped with a water barrel and pump follows behind steam trains to put out any fires that might occur. I have not heard of any problems with diesels or journals throwing sparks even though all of thier equipment have friction bearings

terry_dempsey@hotmail.com

The problem is brake shoes not friction bearings.

even though all of thier equipment
> have friction bearings


richard.s.wilkens@boeing.com