David Farlow sent in a message commenting on New York Central 4-8-2 #3001 at the National New York Central Museum in Elkhart, Indiana. Included in his comments was a photograph of the museums Penn Central GG-1 #4882 displayed with a pantograph in the "reaching for the sky" position. I have often thought that this positioning of a pantograph appeared "unnatural." At one time, we had a South Shore electric (#108) at our museum with the pantograph in the same position and we lowered it and locked it in the down position. For electrics ON DISPLAY that have pantographs, I have often thought the best thing to do is:

1. Put a "fake wire" over the unit in question and raise the pantograph to a "normal" operating position.

OR

2. If this is not possible, then lower the pantograph into the "down" position.

I realize that this may be a minor thing in the rail preservation story, but I would like to hear other opinions. Thanks!

Les Beckman (Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum/North Judson, Indiana)

midlandblb@cs.com

IMO a pantograph left flapping in the up position is as bad as a trolley pole left flapping. Hook 'em down if you don't have a display wire.


lamontdc@adelphia.net

This is what I call "surrendering locomotive syndrome" (reaching for the sky). I've seen it a number of times; I'm not sure whether these folks just don't have the time to hook down the pans or whether they don't know that the pans aren't supposed to be fully extended. And, I agree that having the pan displayed in a typical partly-raised position (as if against wire) is very nice (I think 4935 at RRMofPA is displayed like this).

Frank Hicks


fullparallel@wideopenwest.com

At the Western railway Museum we have several pieces including freight motors that use pans. They are stored wi the pantographs locked down.

They look better this way (I think) but more important it takes the load offf the springs that are part of the system. Less strain means fewer problems in the future.

An interesting side light. When we got the SF MUNI
1218 LRV recently we found that the pan could not reach our wire in some locations and it is being studied to see what can be done so it can run more places at the museum.

ted_miles@nps.gov

This post has made me curious as to the status of the pantographs on the MILW "Little Joe" in Deer Lodge,MT. I think that they are locked down. I was there in August and frankly didn't notice!



shawsinoly@aol.com

fullparallel@wideopenwest.com

There is a picture of a Milwaukee Bi-Polar in display in Chicago, I think, with both pans up. However, they appear to be tied down to the proper height with a rod to resemble the overhead attached to both pans with lightning bolts on the ends of the rod. Looked good and gave the proper impression.

Stuhr Museum
pfdx@aol.com