touch of class on the R&N #425 trip Saturday

robertjohndavis · **Joined:** Mon Aug 23, 2004 8:10 am **Posts:** 2499

While the train was laying over at Jim Thorpe, the loco was wyed at Haucks. That's about a 19 mile non revenue move just to avoid pulling the train tender first.

Classy!

Rob

Alan S. Levy · **Posted:** Mon Jun 23, 2008 10:18 am

I rode this trip too. Very nicely done!!!

I was surprised that they went so far out of their way to turn the 425 too!

When we were leaving the parking lot at the end of the day 425 was backing up the line. Does anyone know where she was going? Was she being turned somewhere or just going to the steam shed?

ATK · **Posted:** Tue Jun 24, 2008 2:55 pm

I assume that the turntable at Jim Thorpe is currently non-functional(?) You think the R&N might consider putting the table back into service, or is that just a pipe dream?

Schuylkill Valley · **Posted:** Wed Jun 25, 2008 11:06 am

The TT at Jim Thorpe is really in bad shape, I chased the trip on Saturday and my friend Eric and I chased them out to the wye at Haucks Jct. and back. On the way out Chad Fredrickson was running 425 and on the way back his brother Shane was engineer. We sure did have a lot of fun, I posted my video's on here check them out.

Len.

Schuylkill Valley · **Posted:** Wed Jun 25, 2008 11:09 am

The reason 425 backed out of Port Clinton, was to drop the fire up at the steam shops, they then pulled back to the main shops for the night.
I stayed untill 8:30pm.

Len.

robertjohndavis · **Joined:** Mon Aug 23, 2004 8:10 am **Posts:** 2499

There is nothing wrong with the turntable at ol' Mauch Chunk which two pumps can't fix: one for the water and one for the money.

However, there is still an on-going discussion over who owns what track and who is responsible for what. Add in the private equipment stored around the turntable area, with multiple owners incl the Hart estate, and you have a pretty sticky issue.

It has been on slow boil for 3 years, and I expect it to heat up do to pressures from multiple parties. It will be interesting.

This is one to watch, as it has the makings of a Dick Jensen story, although this time the railfans may be the undoing. Let's hope not.

Rob

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

More class:

Although there was an SD-50M along, it was barely noticeable. On a couple of steep grades I heard that EMD 2 stroke, but mostly what you heard was 425 working. It would have been real easy to let the diesel do all the work, but they didn't.

PennRailVideos · **Posted:** Wed Jun 25, 2008 9:49 pm

You're certainly right there. The SD50 was more used for dynamic braking to reduce wear on the brake shoes.

You can view all my photos and videos here.

Take care.
- Adam