I had a chat with a friend recently on the topic of using steam locomotives that lack leading and/or trailing trucks. We are interested in learning about the locomotives that are being used, the number of coaches (or cars) they typically use, the maximum grade and tightest curve on their line. We're also interested to know whether they push-pull, or run around.

Thanks in advance!

Strasburg RR sometimes uses an 0-6-0, with runaround tracks.

Conway Scenic, and CSRM used to run 4466.

In the UK the standard freight / branchline power was a 0-6-0T for decades. Many survive in preservation service.

WK&S in PA likes 0-4-0s, likewise NHVRR in NC.

dave

Heber Valley RR in Utah runs ex-UP 2-8-0 #618, is overhauling ex-Great Western 2-8-0 #75, and also has an 0-6-0 waiting to be restored. IIRC, last time I rode the train they pulled it down Provo canyon with #618 running backward, and then they run it around at Vivian Park and pull it facing the right way back up to Heber.

I remember seeing a video on RFDTV a while back. I believe it was the Yolo shortline that was operating a former SP 0-6-0. Is that operation still active?

I have photos of the NP #1070 running at Lake Whatcom Railway in WA before it was removed from service.

During the tenure of the Ashby's operation of the Georgetown Loop in Colorado, we operated a 2-8-0 with either an 8 or 9 car train, with a run-around at each end. Track oilers were used just before the tightest curve on the railroad which was 30 degrees. The steepest grade on the line is 4.13%. The engine ran around the train at each end.

At the Strasburg, we have two 0-6-0's (including Thomas) and the rest of the fleet all lack trailing trucks. The 31 does have limits placed on its speed (20 mph in forward movement, 15 in reverse) and it is harder on the track than the others. Maximum train is 9 cars, with 2-6-0 89 generally being reserved for the lighter 'half-hour' trains that run during the peak part of the summer season. Trains are run around at each end with the engine running in reverse on the primarily downhill part of the run from East Strasburg to Leaman Place.

Western Maryland Scenic runs 2-8-0# 734; steep grades, turned at each end. New Hope & Ivyland runs 2-8-0 #40, runs tender-first one way, no extreme grades or curvature; Black River & Western 2-8-0 # 60 ran for 30+ years tender-first one way (now slowly being overhauled). Great Smoky Mtns Ry 2-8-0 # 1702, pulls train one way and is dragged back by diesel on other end. Some steep grades on the portion of the track up through the Nantahala Gorge, but not regularly used on that portion anymore.

As for 0-6-0s, there is monstrous 060 being ovehauled at the Big South Fork Scenic RR in Kentucky. When finished, their #14, probably the largest 060 running anywhere, will pull downhill tender first and shove uphill. They have 5% grades and some very sharp curves. See details at www.bsfsry.com.

I think the "Biggest 0-6-0" title will be taken by CNJ 113, now being rebuilt near Hazelton, PA.

The Valley RR has had 2-8-0 #97 as the regular service locomotive for many years; the heavy grade occurs on the return to Essex and is taken "backwards" by 97.

New Hope & Ivyland operated Army 0-6-0 #9 for quite a while in the 70s and early 80s. I fired #9 many times and it really waddled all over the place at speeds above 10-15 mph. A lead truck certainly helps stabilize a locomotive, even when running in reverse.

cmbx:

The Big South Forks Scenic Railway was issuing regular photo updates on their efforts to return Union Railroad (of Pittsburgh) # 77 back to service as K&T # 14, but nothing since October of 2004 nearly two years ago now. Has this restoration bogged down, or is it just the updates that are behind?

Les

Howard:

These U.S. Army 0-6-0's were built with the idea that they could eventually be converted into Moguls with the addition of a lead (pony) truck. But although a number of these engines were sold to various rail lines after World War 2 when they became surplus, only the Midland Terminal out in Colorado ever added the pony trucks to the locomotives. As Moguls however, these engines were used in road service over the mountainous grades of the MT. Did NH&I ever give any thought to adding a pony truck to number 9?

Les

We have not run a 2-8-0 , but we have run a 2-10-0 which of course has no trailing truck, for most of 25 years. Recently we pulled it out of service for maintenance. There were continuing issues with flange wear on the rear set of drivers, and more than once we used grinding brake shoes to help the profile. There are also problems with wear in the driving rods and some of the driving wheel bearings.

We have run push pull with no runaround, pulling perhaps as many as 6 heavyweight cars, very little curvature or grade. Yet the lack of a trailing truck certainly affects the maintenance and wear on a locomotive used more or less regularly. Maybe, on a busy year it logged 1000 miles, as an estimate.

Bob Kutella

Bob,
Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't one of the hot projects in the IRM steam shop the restoration of UP #428, a 2-8-0 locomotive ?

Any update on their current progess ?

PS - Congratulations to all IRM volunteers for another amazing Members weekend. While I was only able to be out for little more than an hour early Saturday afternoon, the sheer numbers of operating equipment was staggering. And I understand a 5-car North Shore Line train was operated late in the evening, with all 20 motors functional and drawing current !
That in itself is a major accomplishment, even for a museum operation as accomplished as IRM.

The Army 0-6-0s were designed by Col. Howard Hill (who wrote an excellent article in TRAINS years ago about the wartime steam locos he designed), and he was around the Black River & Western in the late 60s-early 70s. The ability to convert the 0-6-0s to 2-6-0s was well known, and I recall some talk back then about Col. Hill dusting off his plans for same, to be applied to NH&I #9 (and the now-scrapped #7) and possibly to Morris County Central 4039, another Army 0-6-0. But the Colorado engines remained the only ones ever converted to Moguls.

HP

The Valley RR in Essex,Ct #97,,,the line is push,,pull,,,the engine will

pull 4 or5 coaches will no problems,....the engine traction effort is,,

29,900,,,and the weight in drivers is,,,122,000....hope this is of help.

#97 is a 2-8-0 built in 1923 by ALCO,,,Cooke,,,,Pat

Let us not forget the Grand Canyon Railway and Resort. #29 runs forward during all main track operation(to and from the canyon 128 miles per day at 40mph) and can pull eight herrimans(sp?) up a 2.9% grade and through some pretty good curves.
Thank you Mr. Porta!