I'd like to make a correction to the article on the Sumpter Valley #100. The gears on D&RG #50 did not strip due to a runaway. Instead crystallization caused teeth on the pinion gear to start braking off due to old age. We took the engine out of service for repairs and had even ordered a new pinion when we discovered a number of problems we hadn't expected with the gearbox and it's bearings. The simple truth is that the repairs would have cost 4 times as much as we paid for the engine in the first place. That with the fact that she was a rough riding, cantankerous old beast that was hard on the track lead to the decision to sell her.

ironbartom@aol.com

> Tom, I can't believe you'd say anything from us could be Cantankerous! (Besides me Of Course!)
Hows the Climax?....Jerry

lmcx@eoni.com

In regard to the cantankerous D&RG50/SVRy101, I was wondering what type of starting the engine has? I understand it has a Caterpillar D17,000 V8 engine, which on later applications like the center cab GE's is direct elec. start., but being a 1937 product I wondered if it has a gasoline starting motor like the older Cat. tractor engines?


jamesbane@hotmail.com

> In regard to the cantankerous
> D&RG50/SVRy101, I was wondering what
> type of starting the engine has? I
> understand it has a Caterpillar D17,000 V8
> engine, which on later applications like the
> center cab GE's is direct elec. start., but
> being a 1937 product I wondered if it has a
> gasoline starting motor like the older Cat.
> tractor engines?
Yes it had a gasoline starting motor that might start the prime mover, if it felt like it! Truth be told, it had had a life before Norman Clark had ever set eyes on it. I won't even mention how many ties it broke with those side rods and counter weights and her heavy axle loading.

ironbartom@aol.com