Re: Driver size and speed

Johnson Barr Wrote:
--------------------------------------------------
> . . . Per said reputable source, that's Eldon in
> the gangway leaning on his shovel as Festus
> risks a lifetime of incarceration to capture the
> scene . . .  

Earl Wrote:
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> That's Eldon with the scoop in hand. Hogger
> was Roy Turney.
>
> According to the old heads, K-28's could run
> 45 mph. K-36's and K-37's were good for 35
> mph - and no more. Above 35 they began to
> hunt badly from piston thrust. Eldon told me
> that if anyone claimed to see a big engine
> running over 35, they were lying.


What about northbound from Antonito with a light train, Earl -

Is it possible that when a K-36 was assigned to the eastbound San Juan they'd open her up a bit when going downhill on the racetrack, especially if running a bit late due to fighting snowdrifts coming over the pass?  Piston thrust would be less a factor in those conditions.

- Roosso

p.s.  It was the 40th Anniversary of the first C&TS train's arrival in Chama that inspired me to move the setting of The Ballad of Festus Frothjaw* from the Feather River Canyon – where I had witnessed an officer apprehending a foamer for taking photos of #844 & #3985 in a similar careless manner – to Cumbres Pass, but it's Eldon's comment about Jim's photo that proves that the story behind the song is true in spirit, if not in detail.

*  See [ngdiscussion.net].



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/25/2017 01:56PM by Russo Loco.