Dolly Sisters

[Wolfgang Dudler]

SOO Line's RS 27 have a special heater at the left side. I've equpped one of my engines with it.
Does anyone know something about it?

Prototype information?

http://www.trainboard.com/railimages/data/694/P5132773_1200.jpg

http://www.trainboard.com/railimages/data/694/P5132767_1200.jpg

Wolfgang

[Flash Blackman]

Wolfgang: Are you making this up? Maybe on a caboose, but in an engine? Must have snow where the Soo Line operates. :)

[Wolfgang Dudler]

What else is it?
I've no idea. But you see it at prototype pictures:
Fallen Flag site (http://www.rr-fallenflags.org/soo/soo416ags.jpg)

Wolfgang

[Flash Blackman]

you see it at prototype pictures:

Wow! How about that? Looks like a heater. Maybe it is some type of breather, filter, intake?

Great looking engines on your layout, BTW. Excellent weathering, as usual. :) :thumbs_up:

[Gats]

I've seen them referred to as watchman's heaters. I searched the Soo History Yahoo! group as these have been in discussion in the past but found no definitive description.
I think the SLH&TS had done a comprehensive article on the Dolly Sisters in The Soo some years back and I think this would have beenm brought up in the article. I'm certain I don't have the issue to check, though. But I do have a 'local' contact who could help.

[isboris4449]

They are called by a few different names, one of the most common being "stand by" heaters, and they are for the prime movers. They heat and circulate coolant through the engine's system which keeps them warm, and allows them to be shut down when not in use, saving a considerable amount of fuel over leaving them to sit and idle. A diesel engine ignites the fuel by compressing the air in the cylinder, which generates heat, causing combustion. In sub-zero temperatures, with lube oil as thick as pudding, this can be a very difficult process. The heaters also negated the need to use large amounts of anti-freeze, and by circulating warm water through the coolant system, prevented pipes from freezing.

Tom

[Gats]

Thanks for the reply, Tom. I didn't think of shutting the units down during cold months as most are left idling due to running (for the most part) water in the cooling systems rather than coolant (glycol).

Were these heaters powered from burning diesel?

[YoHo]

The lube isn't all that turns to gel. Diesel fuel itself does that so the heater probably helps keep tha tliquid too.

Soo certainly did operate in cold areas. The great lakes have pretty rough winters, but I would think that the canadian companies had these too.