463 FRA testing on the Chama Bridge

Here is a ten minute clip of 463 getting ready in the morning for some testing across the river. The FRA was measuring the effects steam engines have against rail and the related wear. Several passes were made at varying speeds. Brakes were also applied at different pressures to the cabeese behind to simulate a grade.

At the 8:40 mark, 463 pulls the train across the bridge at a speed near 25mph!! However, the video does not do this justice, the ground was shaking, and we were a little nervous. I did not know they were running this fast at this pass and did not get the train on the bridge, but watch as the train backs across again, you can see some of the vertical straps shaking with the weight!!



[Edit: embedded video: video: [www.youtube.com] - Don]

Casey



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/21/2016 12:45PM by Don Richter.