Why don't we broaden our horizons

Bobharbison · **Joined:** Fri Dec 03, 2004 9:42 pm **Posts:** 3011

Alexander D. Mitchell IV wrote:

However, someone suggested the British-outline replicas that were running at Busch Gardens years ago--what of them?

They still operate, however I would count as anomalies that are only here because they were built by a US manufacturer (Crown) and are only British design to fit into the European theme of the amusement park. ;)

RCD · **Posted:** Wed Nov 18, 2009 4:49 pm

Nobody in AMERICA seems to think of these things, hence the theme of this thread.

Kevin Gilliam · **Joined:** Thu Nov 04, 2004 10:28 pm **Posts:** 292

superheater wrote:

As for the QJ's, they seem to run, but those whistles have to go. They sound like two chalk slates mating. (waiting for cries of "sinophobe")

It's not that hard to change them out, and I'm surprised nobody has done it yet. It's not the whistle itself, but the air-operated part where the whistle is either full-on or full-off. Both Knox & Kane and Susquehanna changed the whistles on the SYs, and Boone & Scenic Valley has put another whistle on the JS out there in Iowa. Wouldn't be hard to put a whistle cord on one of the QJs.

All things being equal, I've heard FAR worse whistles than the QJs. 1218 on the early test runs, some early runs of 819, the screech of EBT 17, among others.

Alexander D. Mitchell IV · **Posted:** Thu Nov 19, 2009 12:35 am

Kevin Gilliam wrote:

It's not that hard to change them out, and I'm surprised nobody has done it yet. It's not the whistle itself, but the air-operated part where the whistle is either full-on or full-off. Both Knox & Kane and Susquehanna changed the whistles on the SYs, and Boone & Scenic Valley has put another whistle on the JS out there in Iowa. Wouldn't be hard to put a whistle cord on one of the QJs.

Unfortunately, what may be needed is a whistle VALVE. Good, larger-diameter steam whistle valves are becoming harder to find than steam whistles these days. One of the shops currently making replica/reproduction steam whistles is shifting to valves as well because of the demand.

It can be harder to change out whistles than you might think. I remember being told that CP whistles had a threading incompatible with most American locos, and occasionally some serious plumbing or adapter creation is needed to fit a particular whistle to a loco.

Kevin Gilliam · **Joined:** Thu Nov 04, 2004 10:28 pm **Posts:** 292

Alexander D. Mitchell IV wrote:

Kevin Gilliam wrote:

It's not that hard to change them out, and I'm surprised nobody has done it yet. It's not the whistle itself, but the air-operated part where the whistle is either full-on or full-off. Both Knox & Kane and Susquehanna changed the whistles on the SYs, and Boone & Scenic Valley has put another whistle on the JS out there in Iowa. Wouldn't be hard to put a whistle cord on one of the QJs.

Unfortunately, what may be needed is a whistle VALVE. Good, larger-diameter steam whistle valves are becoming harder to find than steam whistles these days. One of the shops currently making replica/reproduction steam whistles is shifting to valves as well because of the demand.

It can be harder to change out whistles than you might think. I remember being told that CP whistles had a threading incompatible with most American locos, and occasionally some serious plumbing or adapter creation is needed to fit a particular whistle to a loco.

Without seeing the setup, you may be right. My understanding is the control was a foot-operated pedal built into the cab floor. How it was connected to the whistle itself is obviously the issue. Either way, with the engines only operating once a year, unless the on/off whistle is REALLY annoying to the owner, it's probably just a case of more money and/or effort than it's worth to fix it.

robertmacdowell · **Posted:** Thu Nov 19, 2009 4:45 pm

Alexander D. Mitchell IV wrote:

It can be harder to change out whistles than you might think. I remember being told that CP whistles had a threading incompatible with most American locos, and occasionally some serious plumbing or adapter creation is needed to fit a particular whistle to a loco.

I wonder if that was an anti-theft consideration.

Anyways, a capable machinist can make any thread you want. 7mm-30(tpi) left hand? No problem.

Alexander D. Mitchell IV · **Posted:** Sat Nov 28, 2009 12:08 am

Yet another example: A South African steamer "returns" to Scotland as a museum exhibit:

http://news.stv.tv/scotland/west-centra ... am-engine/

Bob Davis · **Joined:** Sat Aug 28, 2004 3:25 am **Posts:** 1025

Not obvious from the photo, but being from South Africa, would that engine be 42" (1067 mm) gauge? At 197 tons, that's a big locomotive for narrow gauge. The term "conserved" was used in the article; I would presume there's little or no 42" gauge track in Scotland or England for any possible operation, and the Snaefell Mtn. Ry. on the Isle of Man would find an engine of this size much more than its "permanent way" could handle.