Re: the noble Climax

Getting back to the Climax...I rode at Hillcrest several times in '67 and '68. The only time that she ever rode decently was when Harry Wright took a monster train of 27 loads down to Lake Cowichan. Hillcrest had to phone the E&N for permission to use additional yard trackage to hold this train. It was an incredible ride and the 10 pulled it with no slips, this from only a 70 ton model. Harry had cut 3 or 4 lengths of 1 by 2 to jam between the front of the cab wall and the leading edge of the throttle lever to hold it open on normal trips, but this time he didn't need it as the high steam flow essentially balanced the throttle. I couldn't hear for hours after, but it was the only time she ever really rode well while out on the road. We got back to Mesachie Lake with about 3" of water in the tank! Thank God for good check valves.
Bob Swanson once said "there stands the noble Climax." Prophetic words.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/27/2010 03:50PM by Tom Moungovan.