Re: 489 First Revenue Run

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Since 493 has been in use, there have also not been any coal fired fires either

Not quite true. The coal burning locomotives were used through the winter months due to the snow cover and low temperatures making the danger of starting fires greatly reduced, to the point of being almost nonexistent. As things dried out in the spring they did have a few line side ignitions, typically a few smouldering dead leaves or clump of dry grass, which were immediately extinguished by the following fire patrol. To reduce even that small chance the 493 became the power again as soon as it was returned to service from its annual inspection and maintenance.

On the other hand, to date, the three oil fired locomotives together have not generated a single line side ignition. A statistic which allows the owners and management of the railroad to sleep much better, I can assure you.

I am certain that the C&TS will see very similar results, and we will see more conversions there in the future as the success of the oil firing will generate more pressure to reduce the potential hazard of burning coal.



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 06/13/2021 01:29PM by Russ489.