I understand quartering. Perhaps to be more clear, how will they rotate the rear driver so the cranks line up in order to install the rods?

Bob

My initial thoughts were that the ferry run to Strasburg would take place the beginning of the week prior to the first weekends events (so 9/23-24). That would correspond with the 'Big Lick Train Tug' that's scheduled for 9/21 and featured 611 in each of the two previous years. However VMT's web site indicates that they'll be pulling N&W SD-45 1776 this year instead.

So that coupled with the events next weekend (https://www.facebook.com/pg/VMTRoanoke/events/) does make you think that they are taking her up early to perform the annual inspection in advance of the events scheduled at Strasburg, even though that would be over a month early.

It's interesting that neither VMT nor FireUP611 advertised next weekend's events through normal channels (email, Twitter, etc...) and that it's not listed on VMT's website or calendar either, just their Facebook page.

I initially had thought about trying to chase part of the Ferry move, but then scrapped those plans based on the uncertainty of the dates (there always ends up being a work conflict when they've had previous Ferry moves between Spencer and Roanoke). Luckily there were still spots available for the Monday afternoon Photo Session!

Well, I have to guess, but I would think the shops have some way of lifting a wheelset and rotating it to line up for rod mounting.

I couldn't find anything on that, but I did find this. Enjoy!!

http://www.catskillarchive.com/rrextra/chapt16.Html

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We intend to build a tool like this one that Bruce Mowbray of Steamtown built and posted to another forum. He says he can spin the wheelset using a 3 foot ratchet and can make micro adjustments for timing purposes. Those are 56 inch drivers but it can go up to 80 inches if necessary.

And that's the difference between Steamtown and Strasburg shops right there.... :)

Getting back to an earlier subthread, it seems NS will be missing out on the public relations bonanza UP is enjoying with Big Boy 4014 barnstorming around the UP system.

Going to my WABAC machine, Reading sent two T-1's (2108 + 2109) to a power plant in Portland PA on the DL&W in 1958 to supply steam while the power plant's own boilers were undergoing maintenance. For the move, RDG cleaned up the engines, coupled them tender-to-tender and published the schedule. They were impressed by the number of people who came out just to see two steam engines go by.

Phil Mulligan

Sadly, two things have changed dramatically in the last 60 years.

One is that railroaders then, including management, were proud of their professions and their industry. A lot of people in the business today do not seem to have that spirit, or figure they must dampen it down for a variety of reasons.

The other is that the population is arguably dumber than in 1958, and is more lawsuit happy, too.

I don't like it, and I think a lot of the fears modern management has are overestimated, but what we have is what we have.

Sad truth is that in today's reality there are VERY FEW "railroaders" in the upper management ranks of the industry. Driven by all the forces that make up free market capitalism at its best, today's class 1 roads are led by folks with deep credentials from a large university in financial management etc. In todays ranks of the 7 class 1 roads in the top 10 executive positions there is one, repeat one person who started their career at the bottom of the totem pole. That's one out of 70.

That coupled with the rise of influence that attorneys now have on any issue involving potential risk it's amazing that ANY mainline steam events happen.

Moral of the story....be very grateful for whatever we get.

IMHO-Ross Rowland

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611 is in Pennsylvania already?!

https://www.railpictures.net/photo/707458/

611 arrived East Strasburg around 6.00 PM today, 8-21-2019.

It had arrived Leaman Place at 4.30 PM while the 4.00 PM train from East Strasburg was there (Eng. 89). They waited until 89 came back to drill the extra cars at Leaman Place. Then 611, canteen, baggage car and 89 went to East Strasburg.

Phil Mulligan

The shop at Chama on the C&TS had put together this kind of set up a couple or three years ago for setting valves.

See: Some nuts and bolts of valve setting

The seemed to be watching the 611 very closely over the switches once it arrived, is there any part of the RR that has been deemed 'off limits' for it?