One Fine Day At The Shop...

[William Cowie]

(With apologies to Don Martin of MAD magazine)

On your left a few boilermakers are doing a routine cab repair.

http://www.railimages.com/albums/album49/aaa.jpg

Seems like a coal loading tower operator decided to douse the cab with a few tons of coal... SP fanatics, now you know why you don't see any SP locos out there any more - they're all in the shop! :D

Simple body work seems to be something that just happens. You know, just another day for tourists to go sneaking through Uncle Pete’s drawers, but...

[William Cowie]

... through the trellises and racks, what do we see? For body work, this looks a little extreme... is Uncle Pete running a chop shop?

http://www.railimages.com/albums/album49/aab.jpg

[William Cowie]

Yes, indeed, it sure looks a little extreme. But wait, that's that on the floor?

http://www.railimages.com/albums/album49/aac.jpg

[William Cowie]

Number 6818 is getting a transplant. Where's Dr. Christian Barnard when you need him?

http://www.railimages.com/albums/album49/aad.jpg

[William Cowie]

If you look closely you can see someone literally hosing down the deck, no doubt getting rid of all manner of muck not meant to be there.

http://www.railimages.com/albums/album49/aae.jpg

[William Cowie]

On your right you have the bad boy, too much cholesterol rupturing the arteries, and on the left, ka-thumpa, ka-thumpa, lies the beating new heart.

http://www.railimages.com/albums/album49/aaf.jpg

[William Cowie]

So the call goes out for the Beast... the local 200+ ton crane. (Bad shot, but because of the lighting, it was either this or nothing.)

http://www.railimages.com/albums/album49/aag.jpg

[William Cowie]

Here it’s lifting off the alternator off the front

http://www.railimages.com/albums/album49/aah.jpg

Oooof, looks like that old engine had too many beans. We're told the mountains really work the locomotives hard, with many miles of 2% grade up to, and beyond, the Moffatt Tunnel. Looking at that motor, we were easily convinced...

[William Cowie]

And here, amid the gaze of the crowd, it is moved to the new engine on the left.

http://www.railimages.com/albums/album49/aai.jpg

Unfortunately, we were shuffled off before the exciting conclusion of this little maneuver, so we will have to leave it to our imagination… :(

[NSCALEMIKE]

Very cool William...did ya get to keep the hard hat and safety glasses as souvenirs?

[NSCALEMIKE]

Your photo adventure reminds me of the Open House the Santa Fe had locally in San Bernardino back in the 80's...I attended....I got some similar type of shots...but on kodachrome, I will have to dig them out and see what I can scan.

[William Cowie]

Originally posted by NSCALEMIKE:
Very cool William...did ya get to keep the hard hat and safety glasses as souvenirs? From UP?
smile.gif

[William Cowie]

Oh, and by the way, two other Trainboarders were there, too.

http://www.railimages.com/albums/album51/abf.jpg

To the left is John Widmar (J WIDMAR) and to the right is Keith Hahn (Keith). You can probably see from the other shots it was pretty chilly - snowing outside - hence the warm clothing worn by all...

[Peirce]

Very interesting series. Too bad they did not let you stay for the finale.

[UP_Challenger3985]

Yea, it would be cool if you could get a digital video while you were there of them doing some of this smile.gif .

But anyhow, these are some great pics and I really enjoyed looking through them. If anyone has anything else like this, could you please post them because I am trying to make my engine shop for my layout and would like some more ideas smile.gif .

THanks and great shots again William.

[BoxcabE50]

Neat photos!

For anyone who has never experienced this part of railroading, if you ever have an opportunity to tour a railroad shop, jump at the chance! It's very informative.

:D

Boxcab E50

[NSCALEMIKE]

I found these two pics...but taken outside. June 1983, ATSF shops San Bernardino, CA. 1st pic of a RSD-15, being readied for "EMDizing", the second some locomotives, one still in primer color in various states of repair/maintenance.
http://www.railimages.com/albums/mikecassidy/acz.sized.jpeg
http://www.railimages.com/albums/mikecassidy/ada.sized.jpeg

[NSCALEMIKE]

Sorry these are so bad...I only had a Canon Speedlite...not great for shooting inside such a poorly lit facility (for photography at least). First one a F45 (a Lima shell right? hehe, a little Nscale humor), second a traction alternator, 3rd a 20 cylinder "chevy" engine.
http://www.railimages.com/albums/mikecassidy/adb.sized.jpeg http://www.railimages.com/albums/mikecassidy/adc.sized.jpeg http://www.railimages.com/albums/mikecassidy/add.sized.jpeg

[ 28. April 2004, 00:27: Message edited by: NSCALEMIKE ]

[William Cowie]

Hey Mike those are cool pictures!!! :D :D

[Alan]

Excellent pictures, all! Good to see otherwise unattainable shots smile.gif

[Keith]

Two things:

1. A close up of the "slightly" damaged engine:

http://www.railimages.com/albums/keithhahn/ach.jpg


2. I've got some video of the repair work being done on this unit. As well as other short tidbits during the tour. Also some stuff shot while on the BNSF tour as well.

[NSCALEMIKE]

Keith, I'd say that is damaged...almost like it was stuck in Run 8!

[NSCALEMIKE]

Originally posted by William Cowie:
Hey Mike those are cool pictures!!! :D :D Thanks William!...I have a few more..I am scanning...will be sharing in a bit.

[CB&CNSfan]

Great pic's, first time I've had a look at a power plant, thanks for posting the photos

[NSCALEMIKE]

Last couple of pics for now..1st is of the backside of the shops...with the transfer table off to the left and a closer view of a SD45 in a nice shade of primer color. Thinking about William's posting, we were not required to wear anysort of protective head or eye gear duriing the tour, eventhough actual work was taking place. Just as long as we all stayed in groups, and were behind the yellow lines.
http://www.railimages.com/albums/mikecassidy/ade.sized.jpeg http://www.railimages.com/albums/mikecassidy/adf.sized.jpeg

[JASON]

William,
Fantastic photo's there,never see anything like that in the mags or vid's.Geez I really wish I could move there now,sigh.
BTW does anyone know where I can get a Rio Grande hard hat from?I like to collect all DRGW memorabilia. graemlins/wink.gif

[YoHo]

Railimages not working makes YoHo a sad railfan.

[HemiAdda2d]

Well said, fred!
Yikes, they are sure slow in restoring RI...