The Latest From The Strasburg Rail Road Shops

Frisco1522 · **Posted:** Sun Jun 17, 2012 3:05 pm

Thank you Kelly for these posts. This is what we need more of here. As usual, I'm amazed at the work you guys do. Top notch!

Stephen Hussar · **Posted:** Sun Jun 17, 2012 7:58 pm

Agreed. Great stuff...thanks, Kelly!

Richard Glueck · **Posted:** Mon Jun 18, 2012 10:23 am

There's a thread on the board about the Ontario Northland offering a steam loco. Question: Does Strasburg ever look at locomotive offerings and just consider collecting the engines? I know, you have several in the deadline right now, but...

S. Weaver · **Posted:** Mon Jun 18, 2012 11:13 am

Richard:

We monitor the North American steam locomotive scene, but such an acquisition would have to make business sense. In this shrinking economic environment that's not happening.

wilkinsd · **Posted:** Mon Jun 18, 2012 11:48 am

To the uninitiated, what purpose does the "notch" on the end of the washout plug serve?

softwerkslex · **Posted:** Mon Jun 18, 2012 12:11 pm

I had the same question. My guesses were: a) the notch allows the plug to clean the threads of scale as it is inserted or b) an early warning if the plug is removed while pressure still exists in the boiler. However, the notch is not long enough to really serve (b).

kbmayer · **Posted:** Mon Jun 18, 2012 12:15 pm

We at SRI would like to thank Strasburg for all the work they have done for use. Everything we have received has been top notch in the work. We would not be as far as we are without you guys.

Kevin Mayer
CMO
MSTRP/SRI

Kelly Anderson · **Joined:** Tue Sep 14, 2004 7:52 am **Posts:** 2477

Kelly Anderson · **Joined:** Tue Sep 14, 2004 7:52 am **Posts:** 2477

wilkinsd · **Posted:** Mon Jun 18, 2012 2:07 pm

Kelly Anderson wrote:

wilkinsd wrote:

To the uninitiated, what purpose does the "notch" on the end of the washout plug serve?

softwerkslex wrote:

My guesses were: a) the notch allows the plug to clean the threads of scale as it is inserted…

That’s right. The notch is to allow the first thread of the plug to act as a tap to clean any soft debris out of the female thread in the sleeve as the plug is screwed in.

Kelly,

Thank you for the response, very interesting.

softwerkslex · **Posted:** Mon Jun 18, 2012 2:31 pm

Kelly Anderson wrote:

On another subject, the operating department recently worked out the logistics of hauling freight with steam power during the months of July and August. The plan is to use steam to bring up loads on Wednesday and Friday mornings, leaving Strasburg at 6:30 am, and returning at 7:30 am. As always the case in today's world, schedules are subject to change and the management reserves the right to substitute motive power at its sole discretion, yada yada yada, bla bla bla.

Ugh. So does that require a 4:30 am hostler start? Who gets that job?

Alexander D. Mitchell IV · **Posted:** Mon Jun 18, 2012 3:21 pm

softwerkslex wrote:

Ugh. So does that require a 4:30 am hostler start? Who gets that job?

Somebody gainfully employed in the railroad environment.

That's about the normal crew call time for the local freight that serves my hometown three times a week, and thanks to speed limits, switching time, etc., it's often a twelve-hour day for them.

DuesyJ29 · **Joined:** Sat Apr 21, 2012 7:52 pm **Posts:** 95

Quote:

Ugh. So does that require a 4:30 am hostler start? Who gets that job?

If I lived in Strasburg I would GLADLY take that job. What great fun it would be to hostle steam locomotives around in the early morning light.

Mike Sullivan

junior · **Posted:** Mon Jun 18, 2012 7:44 pm

Wonder what the response would be if you tagged on the combine or a caboose for paying passengers (granted, mostly foamers)?

I remember they offered this service back in the 80s, I think?