BN SD60MAC - Shot March 8, 1997. Saw it parked, as I drove by on I25. Pulled off, and found my way back roadside, for the best shot I could get. Was able to find a spot that gave me this shot. Too bad for traffic in the way though!
"Bolster rot" has me intrigued. Is there that much wear? What about the truck suspensions? Side bearings? Those usually happen before bolster issues.
Well, my guess, based on lean observed at the time! Unfortunately, the repair form is not filled out, indicating what the problem is. I also never looked at the entire caboose back then. If I knew then..... I'd have taken pictures all the way around the car. Whatever the case, it was messed up pretty bad! The following is the latest I could find, as to current status: From the UtahRails website of Don Strack. 01416 Displayed at Denver & New Orleans Model Railroad Club, Parker, Colorado; moved to vicinity of Dr. D's Dental in Parker, Colorado (11027 S Pikes Peak Dr), east of Goodwill and McDonalds on Parker Road (Colorado 83), as of June 2014. A Google Earth view shows it there and in what appears to be decent shape! Gives me an idea........
Here are two pictures, from a group that was given to me. These were shot by Mr. Gordon Motts, OK'd to post by his son J.E. Motts. These were taken between 1950 and 1955 at the El Paso Texas roundhouse backshop. They are quite different from what we normally see. The first one is a cabforward #4254 with a major rebuild or update taking place. The machine hanging on the bottom cylinder of the chest is honing the bottom cylinder ........................ This second one, according to Gordon's comment are drivers waiting to get new tires ..................... The El Paso shop did a lot of major work as it was almost perfectly 1/2 the trip from L.A. to Houston. Hope you enjoy and thanks for looking. Carl
That's fantastic, Carl. One can see how much hard work was put into maintaining those huge beasts, and that the tools to work on them were a match in size for them. And the only thing digital at that time were the calloused fingers of the mechanics working their magic.
One of mine from 2009... IMGP4200B_AMT_4140_GP40FH-2_Commuter_Train by Mike VE2TRV posted Dec 18, 2016 at 4:09 AM Back in January, when I was taking the commuter train regularly down to Montreal, I saw one of these beasties up close, but was kicking myself for not having a camera. I completely forgot that I already had a photo of such a unit, AMT 4140, one of a few GP40FH-2 locos leased to AMT by New Jersey Transit. These oddballs are a kitbash by M-K of a GP40 and the cowl off an ex-BN F45, adding a separate HEP generator in the process. Now is that cool or what? Unfortunately, I won't have another chance to snap one, since the leased locos were returned to NJT this year. Photo dated 21 July 2009, taken at Exporail, along Candiac commuter line.
Here are two more of Gordon Mott's photos, posted with his son's approval. I am honored to have been given these pictures of Mr. Motts's. His hobby was photography. He was, I think Division Signal Foreman, or something like that. I have a picture of his speeder. These are of a bridge replacement West of El Paso, this area is now close to the center of town. I am not sure how these guys got that bridge across but I can guarantee one thing and that is on 7/2/34 it was hot, even at 10:30 am. Looks sort of dusty, wouldn't that be a surprise. Hope you enjoy and thanks for looking. I can bore you with several more. Interesting to see how they did things back in the good ole days. Carl
Knew I had it! Already scanned even! Rio Grande caboose 01416, end view showing lean. Yes, track and trucks level!
Looking at that axle, it does not quite parallel the photo bottom. So not quite level. Which is adding to or causing some of the lean. The only way to know why is to lift and look at those items I had noted earlier...
From Feb 24, 2011, an unpatched SP unit running DPU on a UP freight heading south out of Hearne, Texas.
Carl, great old steam shop photos. Pic 2, new tires, old tires, no tires on the drivers. What hard work those guys did.
I prepared for retirement today by boxing up my office possessions. In my can of pens and pencils was this -- a Penn Central You Can Count On Us letter opener. I first found it in 1980, battered, bent and abandoned in a desk drawer at my first job and it's been with me ever since. The PC didn't survive, but their letter opener sure did.
Three more of Mr. Motts oldies but goodies. This man was a heck of a photographer. This first one is 4412 and there were no comments regarding what was going on. Sort of looks like the bone yard to me. Oh, and yes it very much looks like some of my "bashes"............................ This next one is a good looker and I think it is a T&NO 2-10-2. Russell, how close am I on my assumption? Could be from the Western Lines but I thought they had 4-10-2's. And finally the speeder that was assigned to Mr. Motts.................. Hope you enjoyed and thanks for looking. Carl
Nope, that one is Pacific Lines. Four digit engine number where T&NO only used three. Probably an F3 class but I would have to look it up. The T&NO only had F1s I believe.
Couple more of Mr. Motts pictures. Good looking ole gal........... My all time favorite, AC-9 #3809 on the ready track. In those days the hoghead would have been called for El Paso to Carrizozo, New Mexico. My neighbor Mr. Henry Hoffman had enough whiskers to hold that regular run in those days (early 50's). Thanks for looking, Carl
