Re: Start a petition

Kangaroo,
Futile has many meanings. In looking at the folio sheets, the 9 has a tractive effort of 16,000 lbs. This makes it about the same size as a C-16, less one driver. Why does the driver make the difference? Simple... The more wheels on the rail, the better the traction. Yes, it even makes a difference on diesels.
Now, everybody has estimated that the 9 can pull about 1/2 what the Loop is now running (about 4 cars). The only estimation that hasn't been done is to estimate with or without people. If the CHS is going to use the C&TS box cars, then they may be able to haul 4 cars, but only because they are short and don't seat as many people as can be hauled with a train at the present time.
So.... No. 60 will be there, too, a 2-8-0 with an 1884 boiler, 30 less pounds PSI (150 vs. 190 for the 9) of steam to the cylinders, AND a tractive effort of 15,000 lbs. In other words, it will haul about the same, at a slower rate of speed, or LESS!!!
So what does this mean? In order to even come up with the income that the Loop is making today, there have to be more than double the number of trains run. So will this call for another train? If so, figure in the wages of another full crew.
This means (with approximately twice the number of trips) that a locomotive will have about 160 miles per day put on it on a 4% grade. It will literaly be beat to a pulp by season's end.
I still stand by my original statement that if the CHS was smart... Ahem... they would use the 9 as a pattern for building new locomotives for daily use at the Loop. This way they could integrate roller bearings, more modern appliances and many of the features that were put on modern steam locomotives before the end of steam, have a more efficient locomotive and do what their credo implies of them, to.... preserve Colorado History (aka 9).
But other than the lack of tractive effort, destruction of a historic artifact, having to operate twice as frequently to just maintain the same level of service, convert a coal burner or two to burn oil, and pay twice the crew wages, No, I can't say that I see anything wrong in what they're trying to do, except that they're about 15 YEARS TOO LATE to start on the 9 for service by nest season.
Rick Steele