Scott Turner Wrote:
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> One comment/question on the operation. I realize
> the slanted boilers are necessary to keep water
> more level in the boiler on the steep grades, but
> looking at the pics in the shop area begs the
> question of how they keep the crown sheet covered
> when the locomotives are on level track.
Good question Scott! The good thing is that the level spot you see at the shop complex is probably the only completely level spot on the railroad, except perhaps at the summit platform. I think this issue represents one of the many pieces of job-specific knowledge that the cog engineers have and I suspect they have to be very careful when down at the base. The angled boiler is more to keep the far end of the fire tubes covered than anything else. The crown sheet on these engines is set a bit lower than might be apparent. If you take a look at the photo which shows the cab environment, you can see where the gauge cocks are and I'm betting that the crown sheet is just below the lower one. I suspect that on relatively level track, the water over the crown sheet is pretty low, and it is much higher on the hill. Note the size of the water glass. It is huge and has lots of range. Also, the steam dome is large and the dry pipe is way up high. The next time I am up at The Cog, I will try to remember to ask one of the guys about how much of a juggling match the water level issue is on the flatter sections of track.
> OK, one more comment. Your images do very well at
> documenting how much things changed from the
> '08/'09 time frame to the present. While there's
> much to miss in the passing of regular steam-only
> operations and the funkiness (for lack of a better
> word) that existed then, its clear that the entire
> physical plant is in MUCH better condition today,
> including the remaining steamers.
The folks at The Cog have been working on infrastructure for years. First, it was eliminating the manual switches and building the big, long passing loop. Then it was the diesel locomotives, something they are still doing today. There is at least one more diesel under construction. That would bring the total fleet to 8 diesels and 2 steamers....10 engines. That's the most they have ever had. Lately, it's the rail replacement program and that big track construction car. I should also mention that the railroad is building a brand new, 35,000 sq. foot shop building, just west of the present complex. That will enable them to store all rolling stock indoors, and perform all maintenance on site. Currently, when the diesels need work, they are trucked to a facility in Berlin, NH. That will no longer be required when the new shop is done. About 10 years ago, when all of us steam enthusiasts were crying in our beer, Al LaPrade, the Chief Mechanical Officer at the time said that the advent of the diesels will contribute more than anything else to both the improvement of the railroad infrastructure AND the preservation of some steam operations. Obviously, the place is making money, and both of his predictions are appearing to be coming true.
/Kevin Madore
