Re: New Hampshire Narrow Gauge: The Mt. Washington Cog Railway >>>Photo Album<<<
| October 08, 2020 09:34AM |
Sharrod Wrote:
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> Really? 100 lb rail?
Yes. If you look at the photo that shows the downhill view from Waumbek Tank, you can see how the track was constructed back in 2008. For most of its existence, the railroad used that light, 25 lb rail. Because the web on those rails is so small, the rail had to be placed on top of timbers to bring the height up to a level where the cogwheels would mesh properly with the rack. Those timbers had to be replaced regularly and were a maintenance headache. With 100 lb rail, the rails no longer need to be propped up with wood, reducing the track maintenance just a bit. Also, the diesel locomotives are somewhat heavier than the steam engines, so they are harder on the track. The heavier rail is more stable. It also provides a better ride. Part of the "character" of this railroad is that the ride is a bit bumpy....and it is still bumpy, even on the new track. Just not AS bumpy.
As noted, the rich history and the unconventional engineering on this railroad is just fascinating. That unconventional approach continues today if you look at some of the new hydraulic switches, the design of the diesels, and the big track construction car, which facilitates track replacement at night, in a very harsh environment.
/Kevin Madore
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> Really? 100 lb rail?
Yes. If you look at the photo that shows the downhill view from Waumbek Tank, you can see how the track was constructed back in 2008. For most of its existence, the railroad used that light, 25 lb rail. Because the web on those rails is so small, the rail had to be placed on top of timbers to bring the height up to a level where the cogwheels would mesh properly with the rack. Those timbers had to be replaced regularly and were a maintenance headache. With 100 lb rail, the rails no longer need to be propped up with wood, reducing the track maintenance just a bit. Also, the diesel locomotives are somewhat heavier than the steam engines, so they are harder on the track. The heavier rail is more stable. It also provides a better ride. Part of the "character" of this railroad is that the ride is a bit bumpy....and it is still bumpy, even on the new track. Just not AS bumpy.
As noted, the rich history and the unconventional engineering on this railroad is just fascinating. That unconventional approach continues today if you look at some of the new hydraulic switches, the design of the diesels, and the big track construction car, which facilitates track replacement at night, in a very harsh environment.
/Kevin Madore
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488 stops for water at Los Pinos tank on closing day Oct. 1979. Photo courtesy Don Richter
The NGDF was started by Don Richter and is currently operated in his memory by Nathan Holmes and others. Others who have contributed to the upkeep of this board are (in no particular order): Charles McCandless, Everett Lueck, Ted Wilton, Cole Adams, James Bane, John Moellmer, Jon Bentz, Linn Moedinger, lloyd lehrer, Rod Jensen, John Craft, Steven Forney, Herb Kelsey, Bill Ramaley, Russ Sperry (El Russo Loco), Josh McNeal, John West, Jim Armstrong, Bob Bergstrom, Greg Scholl, Blake Forbes Doug van Veelen and Mark Fuller.