Photo of IRM's move of its SP 2-10-2 and CB&Q 4-6-4, nearing its end in 1995, with their GE diesel that they loaned to BN. Moving steamers on their own wheels was once common, but by 1995 a pretty amazing feat that likely would not happen today.

http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.p ... 3&nseq=158

Bob,

Out of curiosity I am unfamiliar with all of those engines, which one is nearing its end the GE diesel or the steam locomotives?

Also what makes this move such an amazing feat that would never happen today? Don't museums still move steam locomotives on their own from time to time on railroad track?

Adam

The movement of the locomotives was photographed at Aurora, Illinois, getting near to the end of the trip to IRM at Union.

I recall hearing that the BN was so tight on locomotives at the time, the only way the movement of the steamers could be made was by using the previously donated locomotive loaned back. The trip was all the way to Texas and return to move the SP engine.

folks,

I think the point being made is not where the event took place but that the equipment was moved on standard bearings.

The railroads ran on standard bearings for more than 100 years and now they act like it is impossible to move any car or locomotive that does not have roller bearings.

roller bearings are great; but they should not be required for every move every time.

Ted Miles

Ted -

Here is the problem:

The railroads used to have employees (car knockers or......?) that went around rail yards and CHECKED for oil levels and on the condition of pads on friction (standard) bearing equipment. This was normal procedure. As more and more roller bearing equipment came on line, the need for these employees grew less and less. Eventually the railroads decided just to elimate those positions. And rather than worry about checking for the occassional friction bearing car, they just decided not to accept the movement of any more of this equipment.

I can well remember in "the old days" watching one of these employees walking between the rows of freight cars, checking on equipment at the IC freight yard in downtown Chicago. Each lid was pulled up and the bearing checked. Those days are gone forever.

Could the railroads move an occassional friction bearing piece of equipment today? Sure they could....if they WANTED to! But it is much easier just to say NO!

Les

I don't have access to my old website with my notes on this move; but if I recall correctly, it was made at only 20 MPH, with frequent stops to check the bearings.

Such care may not be needed for a fully operational piece of equipment (versus a park engine move); but shows what a disruption moving friction bearing equipment can be.

About that same time, I remember watching two special trains move some huge pressure vessels (cracking towers) through the Port of Beaumont and into the refinery next door. I noticed the flat cars used as spacers appeared to have friction bearings; though they may have been a roller bearing conversion in a friction bearing housing.

A short story! Back in 1994, Norfolk Southern donated two friction bearing freight cars to our museum. CSX had given us a hard time about moving these two friction bearing cars but because they were donated by Norfolk Southern, and because NS had sent them all the way from the east coast to the midwest, NS went to bat for us with CSX and convinced them to move the two cars. We got the gondola in short order but the hopper car got stuck in the old Nickel Plate Road's Calumet Yard for some time (weather related problems.) When NS was finally able to turn it over to CSX, CSX promptly sent it SOUTH! In those days, I was able to follow the cars progress over the CSX car trace computer and finally I got the word that CSX was bringing it back north on the old C&EI. I headed out south of Chicago hoping to be able to get a picture of the car in transit. I expected that the car would be near the end of the consist, and that there might be a speed restriction on the train. But instead, the train came roaring past me at perhaps about 60 m.p.h. and there was our N&W hopper about 15 or 20 cars behind the engine in about a 100 car train. So much for not being able to handle friction bearing equipment! I am sure that the hopper was the only friction bearing piece of equipment in the consist that day and CSX was moving it as if it was no different than any other car. That was the last piece of rolling stock with friction bearing trucks that came into our museum on its own wheels. Today of course, CSX will not move any friction bearing equipment at all.

Les

Similar stories abound. About five years ago after some difficult negotiations we got UP to deliver a tank car to us. Friction bearings and built in 1910, 92 years old being well beyond the 40 year rule. It was placarded MOVE AT END OF TRAIN ONLY. We saw the train go by on the way to ur interchange about 40 mph and with the tank car number one car with many cars following. Yes, it WAS at the end of the train, but the FRONT end. So much for communications and rules!

Bob Kutella

I found a record of the moves here: http://www.irm.org/steamdept/completed/index.html