Steam at Pikes Peak

Randy Hees · **Posted:** Sun Sep 30, 2012 8:32 pm

Pacific Locomotive Association is now running their Baldwin logging mallet, Clover Valley #4 on the Niles Canyon Railway.

Randy

whodom · **Posted:** Sun Sep 30, 2012 9:10 pm

G. W. Laepple wrote:

That's not quite accurate, Hugh. I believe the Black Hills Central is still running its Mallet compound, and the Niles Canyon recently made some test runs with theirs as well.

Thanks for the corrections. It would be interesting to hear how all 3 locomotives compare to their simple expansion counterparts.

mikerowe · **Posted:** Sun Sep 30, 2012 10:16 pm

Springing to Hugh's defense (partially), I think he was making reference to the Vulclain system of compounding, with the over/under relationship of the cylinders. Sure, there is still a small amount fo compounding to be found around the world, with mallet type of locomotives and double and triple-expansion marine and stationary engines. But in the context of the Manitou & Pikes Peak Railroad, this is it: the only place will you find an operational Vuylclain compiund--and the other preserved, non-operational Vulclain compounds are confined entirely to Colorado (we have one at the Colorado Railroad Museum).

Mike

Dave · **Posted:** Sun Sep 30, 2012 10:28 pm

I believe Nigel Day might have some interesting things to contribute if he so chooses. He's done more with old school cog steamers than anybody.

Side question....anybody know what's going on with the new generation SLM / Sulzer rack steam engines?

dave

Trevor Heath · **Posted:** Sun Sep 30, 2012 10:43 pm

"and the other preserved, non-operational Vulclain compounds are confined entirely to Colorado "

H'mmmmm

One in China

http://www.chinasteam.co.uk/trains/pics06/ch06025.jpg

And, there is one in the Yukon too.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/38628255@N ... otostream/

TH

mikerowe · **Posted:** Sun Sep 30, 2012 10:53 pm

I stand corrected. The first one I remember now as being pulled out of a riverbank or the like a few year ago to be cosmetically restored, and the one in Alaska is new to me.

Let me modify my claim to exclusivity, then, by saying that all of the surviving M&PP Vulclain-compound cog locomotives remain in Colorado. Fair enough?

Mike

Nigel Anthony Hewer Day · **Posted:** Tue Oct 02, 2012 8:31 am

[quote="Dave"]I believe Nigel Day might have some interesting things to contribute if he so chooses. He's done more with old school cog steamers than

There is little I can add to this thread that's not already said. I am aware there are a few runs this fall. They are only part way up.

I am not aware of any other compounds, Vulcan or otherwise than these at Pikes Peek for rack work. Generally rack ( cog) locos are designed around the compressive braking and a compound would be good for that because of the piston ring technology of the time.

I am glad to see this loco running and hope it becomes a more regular happening.