NNG: Steam rebuilds initiated - at least - by amateurs . . . 
| August 05, 2016 05:50PM |
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rdamurphy Wrote:
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> . . . can you imagine a million pounds of main-
> line locomotive capable of 100 mph speeds
> steaming around Amarillo repaired by inex-
> perienced volunteers . . .
Yes, I can imagine it Robert -
Well, 250 to 400 tons, anyway. In fact I have numerous photos of ex-S.P. #2472 and ex-ATSF #3751 - theoretically capable of 80 mph and 100 mph speeds, respectively - pulling lengthy passenger trains in the early 1990's on the same mainlines where they operated in the 1930's, -40's and early -50's. IIRC, both were rebuilt primarily by volunteers - including both us amateurs and several highly knowledgeable current and former RR employees. SFAIK, both the Golden Gate RR Museum (nee 'Project 2472') and the San Bernardino RR Histörical Society (nee 'Project 3751') did have liability insurance, and their rebuilt locomotives were operated - at least in excursion service - by steam-qualified retired engineers and firemen under the supervision of senior employees of the host railroads.
Late summer of 1992 was an especially good time for us Wild-Eyed Foamers from California. At the end of August, #3751 headed east with the AT&SF Employee Appreciation Special; Gordon Glattenberg caught her entering Kingman on the morning of August 31:
Photo copyright © 1992, 2012 by Gordon Glattenberg - ALL Rights Reserved.
Two weeks later, #2472 headed south from San Francisco with the Pacific Shore Limited:
On September 18, #3751 returned from to Los Angeles after her journey to Chicago:
And on September 21, #2472 headed back north pulling 'The Earth Train':
IIRC, there have also been several large locomotives restored primarily by "amateurs" which have operated on mainlines in the midwestern and eastern states - although this is becoming less common as facilities have been reduced and insurance costs have risen.
- El Abuelo Histœrico, Greengo y Curmudgeoño de los Locomoturas Viejos y Verdes,
aka Der Grossväterlich DünkelOlivGrünDampfKesselMantelLiebHabender
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/05/2016 08:58PM by Russo Loco.
-------------------------------------------------------
> . . . can you imagine a million pounds of main-
> line locomotive capable of 100 mph speeds
> steaming around Amarillo repaired by inex-
> perienced volunteers . . .
Yes, I can imagine it Robert -
Well, 250 to 400 tons, anyway. In fact I have numerous photos of ex-S.P. #2472 and ex-ATSF #3751 - theoretically capable of 80 mph and 100 mph speeds, respectively - pulling lengthy passenger trains in the early 1990's on the same mainlines where they operated in the 1930's, -40's and early -50's. IIRC, both were rebuilt primarily by volunteers - including both us amateurs and several highly knowledgeable current and former RR employees. SFAIK, both the Golden Gate RR Museum (nee 'Project 2472') and the San Bernardino RR Histörical Society (nee 'Project 3751') did have liability insurance, and their rebuilt locomotives were operated - at least in excursion service - by steam-qualified retired engineers and firemen under the supervision of senior employees of the host railroads.
Late summer of 1992 was an especially good time for us Wild-Eyed Foamers from California. At the end of August, #3751 headed east with the AT&SF Employee Appreciation Special; Gordon Glattenberg caught her entering Kingman on the morning of August 31:
Photo copyright © 1992, 2012 by Gordon Glattenberg - ALL Rights Reserved.
Two weeks later, #2472 headed south from San Francisco with the Pacific Shore Limited:
On September 18, #3751 returned from to Los Angeles after her journey to Chicago:
And on September 21, #2472 headed back north pulling 'The Earth Train':
IIRC, there have also been several large locomotives restored primarily by "amateurs" which have operated on mainlines in the midwestern and eastern states - although this is becoming less common as facilities have been reduced and insurance costs have risen.
- El Abuelo Histœrico, Greengo y Curmudgeoño de los Locomoturas Viejos y Verdes,
aka Der Grossväterlich DünkelOlivGrünDampfKesselMantelLiebHabender
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/05/2016 08:58PM by Russo Loco.
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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.