After an absence since the end of the 2000 operating season, steam will return to the Illinois Railway Museum demonstration railway on July 27, 2002. Frisco No.1630--the Russian decapod--will be operating on July 27, 28 and August 4, 2002. Additional dates are expected to be announced.

beast@mc.net

Great to have the 1630 back! How about putting the story on the IRM web site? It's a good site, but there has now been anything new on the steam part
in a coon's age. Hungry for news.

Ted Miles

ted_miles@nps.gov

Instead of substituting a diesel for steam – (which I understand was a task that BN U-30C 5383 primarily handled) – why not use Chicago South Shore & South Bend “Little Joe” 803? Please correct me if I am wrong, but it is my understanding that the unit is operational, and that the trolley wire on the mainline has been reinforced to allow the operation of pantograph equipped motors and cars -- Like IC and CSS&SB MU’s. Is it not possible to modify the 802 to operate on 600V DC (vs. its native 1500V DC) without disturbing its historical fabric and integrity? I think that this would be desirable if possible since it would give IRM the distinction of operating the largest motor in North America (if not the world) and would also reduce fuel & maintenance costs for the diesels. The latter points could also be made for regularly operating the other motors in IRM's collection.



rrhistorian@hotmail.com

> Instead of substituting a diesel for steam –
> (which I understand was a task that BN U-30C
> 5383 primarily handled) – why not use
> Chicago South Shore & South Bend “Little
> Joe” 803? Please correct me if I am wrong,
> but it is my understanding that the unit is
> operational, and that the trolley wire on
> the mainline has been reinforced to allow
> the operation of pantograph equipped motors
> and cars -- Like IC and CSS&SB MUÂ’s. Is
> it not possible to modify the 802 to operate
> on 600V DC (vs. its native 1500V DC) without
> disturbing its historical fabric and
> integrity? I think that this would be
> desirable if possible since it would give
> IRM the distinction of operating the largest
> motor in North America (if not the world)
> and would also reduce fuel & maintenance
> costs for the diesels. The latter points
> could also be made for regularly operating
> the other motors in IRM's collection.

We've used a lot of different diesels, from SW's to the BN executive units and Metra F's, not just the U-boat. Why not the Little Joe? Well, several reasons. It is, in fact, operational, and we do get it out every now and then (see our video). But the trolley wire does not mix well in all locations with pans, and--more important--the thing REALLY eats electricity! Our electric rates are based on the peak demand for the month, so if we run it one day, that's the rate.

But we are trying to get a good variety of equipment out regularly, not just the "usual" North Shore cars, diesel coach train, etc. If I had my druthers, we'd run something different every day--but that would require a heck of a lot more restoration funds/hours/bodies! But we're working on it...


Kevinmccabe@avenew.com

Doesn't Comm Ed have off peak rates?

> We've used a lot of different diesels, from
> SW's to the BN executive units and Metra
> F's, not just the U-boat. Why not the Little
> Joe? Well, several reasons. It is, in fact,
> operational, and we do get it out every now
> and then (see our video). But the trolley
> wire does not mix well in all locations with
> pans, and--more important--the thing REALLY
> eats electricity! Our electric rates are
> based on the peak demand for the month, so
> if we run it one day, that's the rate.

> But we are trying to get a good variety of
> equipment out regularly, not just the
> "usual" North Shore cars, diesel
> coach train, etc. If I had my druthers, we'd
> run something different every day--but that
> would require a heck of a lot more
> restoration funds/hours/bodies! But we're
> working on it...


dcbockus@columbus.rr.com

>Why not the Little
> Joe? Well, several reasons. It is, in fact,
> operational

Actually, 803 doesn't run. Or, more specifically, it does run but it doesn't stop. It needs brake work, since it has some leaks in the system. The inability of the overhead to support pan operation has made this an extremely low priority, though, and as of yet the crews have only been picking away at it.

Frank Hicks

frank@gats.com

This may sound a little cost prohibitive, but has it ever been thought to power the lines using one of the diesels as a generator, or should I say, can it be done? At least you would have EMD/GE fans happy with hearing a diesel under load in Run 8.

J.T.

jtjjtb@aol.com

> This may sound a little cost prohibitive,
> but has it ever been thought to power the
> lines using one of the diesels as a
> generator, or should I say, can it be done?
> At least you would have EMD/GE fans happy
> with hearing a diesel under load in Run 8.

If you think commerical AC is expensive, you've got no idea what the fuel costs for a diesel running full-time in Run 8 will be. TINSTAAFL.

Frank Hicks

frank@gats.com

Some years ago, our big shop compressor needed repairs, so we hooked up an RS11 to provide air. It had to run in the 6th notch to keep the sandhouse running. After five days of about 7 hour a day operation, it took 900 gallons to fill the tank, at about a dollar a gallon.

> If you think commerical AC is expensive,
> you've got no idea what the fuel costs for a
> diesel running full-time in Run 8 will be.
> TINSTAAFL.

> Frank Hicks


ryarger@rypn.org