I hope no one can can anyone confrim this as true.

The E-mail is from the Espee group at Yahoo.com

----

From: "David Epling"
Date: Sun Aug 26, 2001 1:27 pm
Subject: 2467 update :-( (from the Calrailfans list)

"No. 2467 steam locomotive incurred mechanical damage just before noon on Saturday when the front drive axle bearings shifted during a trip to Stockton over Union Pacific's Altamont line. The 4-6-2 Baldwin P-8 class Pacific was built 1921 and operated by the Pacific Locomotive Association, was towed along with an accompanying crew/tool car by Union Pacific diesel pilot No. 5535 to the Union Pacific's facility in Stockton.

Preliminary inspection by the railroad museum's Chief Mechanical Officer, Errol Ohman, revealed that the bearing failure caused deep scoring to the axle rendering it unserviceable. The failure was similar to one that occurred several years ago on another Baldwin built engine, the No. 2472, except in the case of the 2467, Ohman noted, "the damage is far worse".

The 2467 had been in transit from Oakland to the Sierra Railroad in order to participate in the Sierra's Iron Horse Roundup event scheduled for Labor Day weekend.

Pacific Locomotive Association officials are meeting over the weekend to discuss the locomotive's situation and formulate a repair plan. Further announcements about the locomotive's future are not expected until next week.

The Pacific Locomotive Association, Inc is a non-profit organization based in Freemont, CA."


Thime@aol.com

I think we can all collectively extend sympathies to the PLA folks.. It must be heartbreaking to have such a failure just before a big event. These would be difficult repairs even if they had a drop table (they don't) and will likely take years to complete.

I hope no one can can anyone confrim this as
> true.

> The E-mail is from the Espee group at
> Yahoo.com

> ----

> From: "David Epling"
> Date: Sun Aug 26, 2001 1:27 pm
> Subject: 2467 update :-( (from the
> Calrailfans list)

> "No. 2467 steam locomotive incurred
> mechanical damage just before noon on
> Saturday when the front drive axle bearings
> shifted during a trip to Stockton over Union
> Pacific's Altamont line. The 4-6-2 Baldwin
> P-8 class Pacific was built 1921 and
> operated by the Pacific Locomotive
> Association, was towed along with an
> accompanying crew/tool car by Union Pacific
> diesel pilot No. 5535 to the Union Pacific's
> facility in Stockton.

> Preliminary inspection by the railroad
> museum's Chief Mechanical Officer, Errol
> Ohman, revealed that the bearing failure
> caused deep scoring to the axle rendering it
> unserviceable. The failure was similar to
> one that occurred several years ago on
> another Baldwin built engine, the No. 2472,
> except in the case of the 2467, Ohman noted,
> "the damage is far worse".

> The 2467 had been in transit from Oakland to
> the Sierra Railroad in order to participate
> in the Sierra's Iron Horse Roundup event
> scheduled for Labor Day weekend.

> Pacific Locomotive Association officials are
> meeting over the weekend to discuss the
> locomotive's situation and formulate a
> repair plan. Further announcements about the
> locomotive's future are not expected until
> next week.

> The Pacific Locomotive Association, Inc is a
> non-profit organization based in Freemont,
> CA."


bobyar2001@yahoo.com

"These would be difficult repairs even if they had a drop table (they don't) and will likely take years to complete."

There's a Drop Pit at the UP shops in Stockton, or at least there was one during the WP years.

They could drop the #1 axle in nothing flat. Then there are machine shops in Stockton that can grind the bearing surface down, put a smaller diameter bearing in the box and put it back together. It would run at reduced speeds, but it would run.

If the axle needs to be replaced, well that's another story. There are still shops in Stockton that can do that too, but it would co$t the PLA.

Curtis F.

> I think we can all collectively extend
> sympathies to the PLA folks.. It must be
> heartbreaking to have such a failure just
> before a big event. These would be difficult
> repairs even if they had a drop table (they
> don't) and will likely take years to
> complete.

> I hope no one can can anyone confrim this as


Thime@aol.com

what in the world caused that to happen? Did the SP not use dowels to set the journal? Or were these bearings poured instead of pressed? I have worked around steam a great deal, and until these SP pacifics started having this Bearing shifting failure, I had never really heard of it.

> If the axle needs to be replaced, well
> that's another story. There are still shops
> in Stockton that can do that too, but it
> would co$t the PLA.

Last year when the Soo #2719 needed an axle (and driver), I thought that TVRM did that work, and seemed to do a good job. Wouldn't this be an option for the PLA?



shawsinoly@aol.com

> what in the world caused that to happen? Did
> the SP not use dowels to set the journal? Or
> were these bearings poured instead of
> pressed? I have worked around steam a great
> deal, and until these SP pacifics started
> having this Bearing shifting failure, I had
> never really heard of it.

I've spent quite a bit of time on steam a,d I have to ask as to whether the locomotive had been wrecked in its former life,and the frame was ever so slightly kinked out of alignment just enough that it would make her not tram right,making her run hot?


kbcotton@flash.net

First a drop pit is not required however it would be nice. The 2472 was set up on cribs and the offending axle dropped out. The 1522 was also set up on cribbing and all four wheel sets dropped out. The 2467 could easily be jacked up, cribbed and the wheel set dropped out. Next is the time required, this is only related to the amount of money at hand. Want it fixed in 30 days? This is doable but expensive.

Robert@trainorders.com

> Last year when the Soo #2719 needed an axle
> (and driver), I thought that TVRM did that
> work, and seemed to do a good job. Wouldn't
> this be an option for the PLA?

The 2719 was paid by an insurance deal, I believe. I don't recall if the railroad or vandalism was found at fault.

Smokebox

Ok, I've got a general question here, nothing specific...yet.

Would the insurance kick in if the breakdown was caused by how the UP transported the engine? Or would the UP be safe because they wern't made aware of a potential problem?

Curtis F.

> The 2719 was paid by an insurance deal, I
> believe. I don't recall if the railroad or
> vandalism was found at fault.

> Smokebox


Thime@aol.com

The best way to kill steam forever would be to file an insurance claim against UP for breaking a locomotive that was being moved... towed or other wise. "No more steam, ever" would just be a prudent business move on their part. Bad enough if a engine breaks down and blocks freight traffic which is their real job, but then to be asked to PAY for fixing the breakdown????
If you went skateboarding on your next door neighbor's big long winding driveway, fell down and broke your arm, and then sent your neighbor the hospital bill---would you ever be invited back?

> Ok, I've got a general question here,
> nothing specific...yet.

> Would the insurance kick in if the breakdown
> was caused by how the UP transported the
> engine? Or would the UP be safe because they
> wern't made aware of a potential problem?

> Curtis F.

Insurance was involved in the Soo 2719 work because the damage was due to a major accident (collision). It would be pretty rare for an organization to carry a policy that would cover repairs of on-the-road mechanical breakdowns.

As the post below says, please don't even HINT at trying to blame the railroad or collect money from them. A breakdown alone can already be enough to sour them on allowing moves of this sort at all.

> Ok, I've got a general question here,
> nothing specific...yet.

> Would the insurance kick in if the breakdown
> was caused by how the UP transported the
> engine? Or would the UP be safe because they
> wern't made aware of a potential problem?

> Curtis F.

> The best way to kill steam forever would be
> to file an insurance claim against UP for
> breaking a locomotive that was being
> moved... towed or other wise. "No more
> steam, ever" would just be a prudent
> business move on their part. Bad enough if a
> engine breaks down and blocks freight
> traffic which is their real job, but then to
> be asked to PAY for fixing the breakdown????

If the hauling railroad did not cause the breakdown then there is no fault on their part.

I can't imagine that 2467 wasn't correctly insured which would then cover the breakdown.


yrfavsob@aol.com