pics of Auto-firing rebuild

http://nwhs.org/archivesdb/listdocs.php ... pe=Picture

Would anybody here second the motion that one of the remaining N&W 4-8-0s from the "Lost Engines of Roanoke" be cosmetically restored to this condition for illustrative purposes?

Would anybody here second the motion that this could be a project for Strasburg with the 475?

No, I wouldn't second it, either. . .

:-)

Well, maybe a cosmetic job. If we can put man on the moon, then how hard could modifications to a classmate to resemble one of the engines from this experiment be?

Speaking as an "owner" of 1118.....AAAAARRRRRRRGGGGGGHHHHHH.......Bite your tongues.......

Since the general question of N&W streamlining has come up -- I have never cared for the spoked drivers on the class Js. Disc drivers would have looked much more streamlined. For that matter, the streamlining of the class K 4-8-2s also needed disc drivers, plus a one-piece cast trailing truck. That rivet-fabricated truck just spoils the modern look of any streamlined locomotive, though several Pacifics with the older-style trailing truck were streamlined by different railroads.

Richard, What Jeff said. Esthetic taste is a very personal thing. As an "unreconstructed" N&W, Southern, Virginian, and all things south of the Mason-Dixon line fan, any further comments that I could make about your opinion on N&W streamlining would be inflammatory and contrary to the good manners required on this Board...........:)

Don't forget that disk drivers were proprietary products of General Steel Castings or Scullin. N&W designed and fabricated their own drivers in-house, which no doubt was significantly less expensive than buying one of these proprietary items. If you look closely at detail photos you'll see that the J's drivers (at least the mains) are of "partial disk" construction. The area around the crank pin is webbed and reinforced just like a disk driver.

EVERY railroad's motive power department was proud of their locomotives. Each thought their motive power was proprietary to the operating requirements of their railroad, yet respected (and ribbed in good sportsmanship) their neighboring railroads.

I guess the N&W, as an "unreconstructed" railroad, would use a well known southern expression:

"Frankly my dear, I don't give a damn."

Let us not forget the that N&W J class drivers were of a very advanced design and were cross-counter-balanced to reduce dynamic augment and related track pounding, which was important for a high speed locomotive that had only 70" drivers. As has been mentioned in previous threads, N&W J's were balanced for top speeds of 140mph to account for wheel slip.

Mike
Streamlined Masterpiece, Indiana