I'm just curious if anyone knows how the Strasburg determines which engines will be run on a particuliar day? Do they operate them on a regular schedule? If one wanted to see a particuliar engine (the 31 or 89) that doesn't run everyday, can you reasonably accurately predict what they will be running.

Everytime I've been out there they are always running 90 or 475.....the mainstay of their fleet.

smith@drexel.edu

Jeff
Which engine are intrested in seeing, my guess is 89. If that is the case she will probably be back in service beginning of June.
475 will continue to operate till the end of May at least. At which time 90 will take over the hour train. The switch will probably be in time for the Thomas event second week of June.I can't tell you just exactally what days 89 will operate but it will most likely run during the week rather than on the weekends at least till we start two train operations in July.
#31 will probably run very limited operation the remainder of the summer as of now she has only 3 service days left till shes due for her monthly service work.

DAVE



ChessieH8@aol.com

The dispatching of engines is generally based on the length of train to run, the number of service days remaining on any particular engine, and other factors. #31 is hard on the track, and crews and operates on a standby basis. #89 is too small to pull the longer trains, and thus is limited mostly to running during two train operation. That leaves #90, and #475.

As much as possible, we like to run an engine straight through its 31 day cycle. Special events, and scheduling of inspections disrupt this. For example, 475 will go down for its 31 day inspection on May 27th, to be replaced by #90. However, if we ran #90 straight through, her 31 day inspection would fall at the same time as ThomasÂ’s, which is inconvenient. So #90 will only run a few days, and #475 will go back out for June. After July 1st, things will settle down to a standardized rotation between #89, #90, and #475, with an engine rotating out every other week. All assuming that there are no breakdowns, or as yet unscheduled specials.

I wouldnÂ’t look for #89 before the end of June, other than the odd test run.

Your best bet on any given day is to call the RR and ask.

I donÂ’t know who Dave is, but he doesnÂ’t speak for the Strasburg Rail Road.

kelly@strasburgrailroad.com

> I donÂ’t know who Dave is, but he doesnÂ’t
> speak for the Strasburg Rail Road.

Please note it isn't me. Busy counting Diesels dancing on the heads of pins.

Dave

irondave@bellsouth.net

While we are on the subject of the Strasburg, does anyone have the specs on #90? dimensions, weights, superheated? I know it's a Baldwin 2-10-0 decapod, 1923, I think. It's hard to find info on such a rare locomotive. Thanks for any info.


jim.montague2@verizon.net

> While we are on the subject of the
> Strasburg, does anyone have the specs on
> #90? dimensions, weights, superheated? I
> know it's a Baldwin 2-10-0 decapod, 1923, I
> think. It's hard to find info on such a rare
> locomotive. Thanks for any info.

From the booklet "Where Steam Still Serves" (OOP) --written and illustrated by James Lyon, published by Great Western Sugar Company, copyright 1961 -- page 15 (watch for copies on eBay or check railpub.com)

Braking power 95000 lbs
Weight on drivers 190000
Total engine 212000
Tender empty 62700
Coal 15 tons 30000
Water 8000 gallons 66800
Total loaded tender 159500
Total eng. + tender working order 371500
Maximum width 10ft 5 inches
Heating surfaces in square feet
Firebox 170
Arch tubes 20
Tubes 28 @ 5 3/8" x 17 feet 265
Flues 167 @ 2" x 17 feet 1480
TOTAL 2335
Grate area 543
Superheating Surface 544
Tractive Power 46500
Type of Valve Gear Walschaerts Piston
Builders No. No.57812
Build Date June 1924
Driver Size 56 inches
Total Length 72' 2 1/2"
Vertically from railhead 14' 10"

The booklet mentions a total of 5 Steam locomotives of any prominence. Gary Morgan's "Sugar Tramp" (also OOP) has a roster of 9 steam locomotive and their disposition.

GW 1 1904 Baldwin 2-8-0 scrapped 1952 ("melted down at Pueblo")

GW 2 1905 Baldwin 2-8-0 scrapped 1952

GW 51 1906 Baldwin 2-8-0 sold to John Birmingham 1963 (now preserved at the Fillmore and Western,I believe--please correct me if I'm wrong)

GW 52 1906 Baldwin 2-8-0 scrapped 1952

GW 60 The "Baby" (1937) ALCO 2-8-0 -- sold to Black River and Western. (pardon my ignorance, where's it now?)

GW 75 1907 Baldwin 2-8-0 sold to NHRS (Intermountain); sold to Everett Rohrer; now preserved at Heber Valley (I know-obviously!!)

GW 90 at Strasburg (as indicated in this thread)

GW 100 1906 Baldwin 0-6-0 scrapped 1951

GW 101 1907 Baldwin 0-6-0 scrapped 1954

Is there any comparable-sized railroad with a higher percentage of their steam power preserved and running?

sc 'doc' lewis

Heber Valley Railroad
utweyesguy@aol.com

> GW 60 The "Baby" (1937) ALCO 2-8-0
> -- sold to Black River and Western. (pardon
> my ignorance, where's it now?)

At the Black River and Western, still operating nearly every year, albeit a little irregularly lately as the shop crews don't always have time to do the maintenance required to keep her in service every weekend.

eledbetter@rypn.org

The BR&W's ex-Great Western 2-8-0 60 hasn't been in service since the close of their 2000 season. 60 is presently stored pending work, including that to bring it in compliance with the new FRA steam regs. Their Ringoes-Flemington tourist runs will be diesel hauled this season (they got a late start to this season, having just opened following the replacement of a truck-damaged railroad bridge that had isolated their Ringoes terminal).

Regards,
Jim Robinson

I've heard recently that 60 is pretty much done as an operating locomotive. Evidently the BR&W management is no longer interested in fixing her and with finances marginal at best, don't have much $ to spend on repairs. I hope this information is false, but it comes from a trusted source at the BR&W. Scotty

> The BR&W's ex-Great Western 2-8-0 60
> hasn't been in service since the close of
> their 2000 season. 60 is presently stored
> pending work, including that to bring it in
> compliance with the new FRA steam regs.
> Their Ringoes-Flemington tourist runs will
> be diesel hauled this season (they got a
> late start to this season, having just
> opened following the replacement of a
> truck-damaged railroad bridge that had
> isolated their Ringoes terminal).

> Regards,
> Jim Robinson