Re: Silverton Northern No. 4 - main rod connection to 3rd driver

Joe Weigman Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> tgbcvr Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Why did most of the Rio Grande NG
> > Consolidations have the main driver connected
> to
> > the second axle, but some to the third?
>
> It should also be mentioned the C-18s were not
> built for the D&RG, so before their purchase from
> the defunct F&CC in 1916 the C-17s (which would've
> been grouped in with class 70s at the time) would
> have been their only consolidations with main rods
> connected to the 3rd driver.

Not really the only ones. As has been pointed out here in several posts, the 70 Class 1881 2-8-0's had five of their number converted to standard gauge 0-8-0 switchers in 1888/89 due to shortages of standard gauge locos for the newly built or converted narrow gauge to SG lines. 401, 402, 405, 410 and 411 got the treatment. These engines were converted back to narrow gauge 2-8-0's in 1898/1900. At least some of them were rebuilt with long main rods to the third driver. Classic example 411 to 802 to 2nd 402 to RGS 40. See Rio Grande To The Pacific, Robert A. LeMassena, Page 33 for a shot of the 402 at Cimarron sometime after 1903 (knuckle coupler) and before electric lights.

This third driver connection did not last long and it would be interesting to find out why the Burnham Shops decided to rebuild them that way and why they changed back to the original short mains.