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Dream Equipment
https://www.rypn.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=33296
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Author:  J3a-614 [ Sat May 12, 2012 2:23 am ]
Post subject:  Dream Equipment

We've had some fun lately with a thread on "Miserable Equipment." What about a thread on "Dream Equipment?" No locomotive or car will be perfect, of course, but I would suspect something we have may come pretty close, at least in the eyes of those who work on it and run it. Some of this gear may even stand out among others of a similar type. For instance, I would imagine Ross Rowland's 614, or UP's 844, would stand out as remarkable steamers--modern, smooth riding, powerful, easy to run and to keep running, with everything laid out well, at least when compared with an engine with a dome throttle and not enough space to take take that out easily, a firedoor set too high for most people, and other difficulties.

This is something that, in my opinion, should not be taken too lightly; if we ever get to or have to builg replica steam engines, it will be a good idea to incorporate the experiences of the older designers who found out that a locomotive that was easy to run and maintain was one that was more efficient and more economical. After all, isn't that what really sold the railroads on diesels, in particular on EMDs? (Oh, we may consider the BL2 one of the few mistakes made by that builder.)

Nominations, please. . .

Author:  co614 [ Sat May 12, 2012 7:26 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Dream Equipment

C&O 614. Best in Breed!!!

Ross Rowland

Author:  Mouse [ Sat May 12, 2012 7:55 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Dream Equipment

co614 wrote:
C&O 614. Best in Breed!!!

Ross Rowland



Gee! Was that a surprise! LOL

Hopefully, with the 21st Century Steam Program, Perhaps, we'll all get to enjoy her again!

Author:  wesp [ Sat May 12, 2012 9:02 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Dream Equipment

The late Capital Transit 1053 was a piece of dream equipment. The PCM controller offered the smooth acceleration of a PCC, while the air brake system allowed the car the flexibility to coast much better than a PCC controller. The overall weight was a bit heavier than a PCC, so the car had a great "boulevard ride".

Wesley

Image

Author:  Mark Z. Yerkes [ Sat May 12, 2012 12:26 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Dream Equipment

Mouse wrote:
co614 wrote:
C&O 614. Best in Breed!!!

Ross Rowland



Gee! Was that a surprise! LOL

Hopefully, with the 21st Century Steam Program, Perhaps, we'll all get to enjoy her again!


One can hope, but considering the C&O isn't a road that made up NS, I doubt we'll see it. Plus with that new, pretty paint job she's got, she's kind of committed to the Greenbrier Express.

Author:  Mark Z. Yerkes [ Sat May 12, 2012 12:27 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Dream Equipment

I've heard the NKP Berkshires are nice engines to run.

Author:  Zak Lybrand [ Sat May 12, 2012 1:43 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Dream Equipment

McKinney Avenue Transit has a Stone & Webster turtleback streetcar #186 that was great to operate. She rode very smoothly, and the notches on the controller were perfect - not loose enough where you go from notch one to notch five, but not so tight that you nearly sprained your wrist trying to move the throttle. The brakes were always pretty good, too.

Author:  Dave [ Sat May 12, 2012 2:49 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Dream Equipment

West Side 14. She'd steam on a Bic lighter, and haul 8 cars up the mountain on autopilot. Late in my work on her, she started breaking fasteners that were starting to become brittle, but replacing bolts wasn't too difficult compared to keeping some of the other power tied together and productive.

dave

Author:  jim templin [ Sat May 12, 2012 5:31 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Dream Equipment

Just about anything out of a Baldwin Logging/shortline catalog.

Author:  Harry Nicholls [ Sat May 12, 2012 8:16 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Dream Equipment

FYI: McKinney Avenue #186 has Australian W-2 controls, trucks and motors along with all other parts. There are no original mechanical/electrical parts from the Stone & Webster car.

Author:  Zak Lybrand [ Sat May 12, 2012 8:45 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Dream Equipment

Doesn't matter to me. She's still a smooth car.

Author:  Txhighballer [ Sun May 13, 2012 12:30 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Dream Equipment

I've had the good fortune of riding, firing, and running some pretty good locomotives, but what I want to get my hands on is ATSF 3776/2900 class 4-8-4. Able to wrestle 8,000 tons on the level and run with it, start 20 plus heavyweights on Raton, and run 90 as easily as breathing. Yeah...put her throttle on the roof and watch the drivers roll.....and the pilot engineer pass out.....

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