Mark MPT Wrote:
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> Who did you hear this from? I was told by the
> railroad that 486 is NOT going to get converted,
> nor any of the other locomotives for that matter.
> 493 is the only engine they are converting. There
> are a few reasons for this.
I heard 486 was next, I have also heard that more will be converted but not the K-28s. We have all also heard that the D&S would never burn oil. So believe what you will.
But lets be honest if more locos are to be converted(And I bet there will be) we have no idea which one will be next.
> 1. The always say they are an authentic coal-fired
> steam railroad and that will NOT change.
Times change. Plus they would still be an authentic steam railroad on any fuel.
> 2. They probably realize that if they convert more
> engines, they can't hold that title, and some
> types of people won't ride because of that.
Who cares besides us railfans. That title no longer applies anyway. 493 IS now an oil burner an they have been running diesel powered trains for years.
> 3. They really only need 1 oil burner. They bought
> those 2 brand new diesels that can pull
> normal-length trains, so 2 diesels and 493 is
> plenty. Some of the people riding don't care if
> they are running steam as they are more in it for
> the scenery. Some care about the steam, but as i
> said, some do not.
You still need back up power for the dry season. Say the new diesels are on a train out of town and 493 has an issue before the train leaves the yard. I guaranty they would rather send it out late with another oil burner than refund everyone.
> 4. They would probably rather lose some revenue in
> the event that they HAVE to run oil than spend
> much much more time and money converting an
> engine.
493 WILL run all times of the year, or whenever power is needed. She will not just be for the dry season. You make it sound like it costs millions to convert a loco to oil, it does not.
Also if they are building new fueling facilities wouldn't it make sense to have more than one loco burning oil to help justify the cost?
> 5. Finally, I was told and it seems to be proven
> true that once an engine is converted to oil when
> it wasn't built to burn oil, it never runs the
> same. The D&S would not want to limit themselves
> with the number of mainstay locomotives they have.
> 486 and the other K-36s are the most used engines
> and seem to never go 12 or more months without
> operating.
Where has it been proven? Facts please. I can think of plenty of locomotives converted to oil that ran just as good after conversion as hey did before. Need an example, lets start with the big one or should I say Big Boy. UP 844, and 3985, ATSF 3751, CB&Q 4960 at GCRY, several CB&Q northerns, RGS 41 and D&RGW 340(I ran both of them), he list goes on.
I have strong ties to the D&S. I have friends who work there and have worked there my self. I am not attaching you Mark so don't take it personally. I just want to add my opinion.
Jeff Taylor
CRRM curator of equipment and rolling stock.
