Those things started on diesel fuel, then switched over to number 6 oil (bunker C left deposits that ate the blades).

If you had one that would spin over but didn't want to light off, you used the old "jump- start the Vapor steam generator" trick.

Get somebody to get it turning, make sure it's getting diesel, stand in front (NEVER behind) the exhaust, and drop lit fusees in until it starts. There is video of this someplace. And yes, it will spit them back out when it ignites.

Sounds ridiculous, unless you have done it.

A)If you think you can just "write a check", and purchase an artifact on IRM's "Restricted Collection List" (AKA "The Sacred Cow List"), you either have no concept of how IRM functions, or you are a delusional madman who thinks money will solve any problem.

B) Union Pacific representatives have said NO!!! on several occasions when asked about bringing back a turbine.

Yes, BUT, the Kraut won't be much different from any other diesel in their collection terms of noise and complexity, not to mention fuel consumption.

Also, it is theirs, and they made the decision to fund and do the work. And I'm glad they did.

This is, shall we say.....a little different.

All those homeowners around the periphery of the IRM will go ape the first time 18B is lit off. IRM would need miles of buffer space around the place with the horrendous racket it would make, and I don't think the average turbine enthusiast really grasps that issue.

This is not a modern or European turbine. This is '40s and '50s technology used in relatively sparsely populated parts of western Nebraska, Wyoming, Utah, and Nevada.

I said before but it bears repeating: Unless you have ridden in a window seat located in the rear of an old 737, without hush kits, on takeoff, you have NO idea what you are asking for.

Look at the exhaust stack on that thing in the picture above

Makes a good story, except the way I heard it you put the fusee into one of the combustion chambers of the turbine through a special little door to act as the flameholder. I thought that made much better sense than flashing back all the way through the power-turbine blading to get fire in the cans.

Either way works and was used.

The method you describe was used in the film referenced above.

Ok, Maybe the UP GTEL is out of the question. Money tends to solve alot of problems. Lets not forget how BB4014 was released from a Cali RR Museum. If the IRM has something more important to complete then any deal could be struck over a period of time.

The turbine would be more at home someplace in the desert and not Illinois. IRM could take the money and replace the missing parts on the UP DDA40X and make it operational again or replace the wheels on the ATSF FP45 for example.

Yes, I am a bit of a mad man. I started wanting to build a new British GT3 turbine since the original was so interesting being a mechanical drive setup. The body and frame survived for years without the turbine before being scrapped in 1966 I think it was.

Current practice regarding recreation of historic locomotives would have this new locomotive called the GT4 and would bare the name of the fellow who invented it. J. O. P. Hughes http://www.enuii.com/vulcan_foundry/oddities/gt3.htm

Lets not forget how the old Morris County Central RR was founded. The whole thing started as simple dream. The dream of one man. An aerospace technician, the late, Earle H. Gil, Sr.

There was a nice short video about this RR from Hopewell Productions. Rise & Fall of the Morris County Central Railroad DVD Train Video http://www.trainvideodepot.com/DVD-Rise-&-Fall-of-the-Morris-County-Central-Railroad-DVD_HV-MCC The opening segment has Earle talking about his dream and what it took to realize this dream. His words still ring true with me about just how someone can do what is thought of as impossible sometimes. The MCC sadly died. But, a lot of it had to do with the times and with management issues and the like.

Robert

This is all just hot air but...

1) If IRM did get it running, regarding the noise, it could be a once a year thing unless you did get it towed out to the proverbial middle of nowhere.

2) Regarding selling a sacred cow, if the offer was SO ENORMOUS that it would fund half a dozen more barns, sprinkler all buildings, and restore a couple more steamers, build a roundhouse and turntable...the BOD would have to give serious consideration or not be a good fiduciary if they didn't. Not $$$$ talks but a case of $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ talks. But they could probably scratch build their own for less.

I would suggest that the ONLY party that would be taken seriously in any way by the IRM about acquiring the ex-UP GTEL would be Union Pacific itself.

And even then, I would suggest that they wait until they see the 4014 running first.........

The heavy-frame gas turbine applied to this beast is LONG obsolete. Sheer flight of fantasy to think that GE would have any interest in re-animating what is ancient gas-turbine technology.

I'd hate to be anywhere near the thing when the first turbine blade came loose.

DPK

Hot air? yes.....
The IRM BOD does NOT have the final say on artifacts on the "restricted collection list", it require a majority vote of the regular members to remove any item from this list.

Jeff

For the benefit of those of us who are not familiar with IRM, what is the 'restricted collection list' ?

Dave

It is a list of artifacts that can not be sold, traded, scrapped, subjected to a lease longer than a few months, or otherwise disposed of, without a majority vote of the regular members

Ok, So my foolishness aside. What is a good source for nuts and bolts information on how the 8500 HP GTEL locomotives work? Particularly the electrical systems for the main and aux generators and traction motors as well as the interaction of the A unit with the turbine power unit.

I think the closest I could get to having a working UP GTEL might to be pour money into something like a 15" or even a 19" Gauge working model of such a mammoth locomotive.

Robert

Don't wimp out now!

Not really whimpering out. But have come to the realization that a UP GTEL might be just beyond the possibility of what is realistic in the current environment.

I personally don't think parts will be that big of an issue. There is plenty of older J79 industrial engines pumping Natural Gas around the world. GE and their power generator turbines are everywhere. And if all else fails there is high end jet aircraft parts sources and manufacturers. "Thinking of having to have parts made"

The only real issue is the extreme noise. I live near a major AFB and can attest to the extreme noise of turbine powered aircraft.

I have also been near Boeing 747 and 737 aircraft and they are extremely loud. The noise hurts my ears at times, but really does not bother me. I love gas turbine engines and have come to like their truly unique engine whine. It's better than the rap garbage that shakes my windows!

The only concerns I have is about a decent place to run such a locomotive. The Union Pacific had plenty of issues running the turbines through certain areas. Also these types of locomotives really only get fuel efficiency when working near full load at speed. This would need to be a 22 or more car excursion train to justify the fuel expenses. 20,000 gallons of No 6 or diesel fuel is not cheap anymore sadly.

But, Then we are back to issues with peoples ears and the turbine noise. Unless some kind of insulating of the turbine B unit could be accomplished? Thin sheets of slate could withstand the extreme heat, But probably would do nothing for the noise. The idea is still very intriguing and one I will not be able to easily forget about anytime soon.

I realize what it cost to undertake these tasks. I just can't get too many people to share my vision or dreams.

It's like the issues with the GG-1 restoration. More than doable. Just not easy to get others on board with the idea. New truck frame castings, electrical overhaul, modern re-creation of the historic transformers setup for the higher line voltages, etc.

There are those who take notice in our projects and do donate substantial amounts. Look how UP 4014 was reacquired. Part of it was UP money. The rest was a very rich person who remains unknown to only a select few at UP. So raising funding is possible. Just got to be really creative with advertising and getting out to the public to attract interest.


Robert