Random drive-by

Pastor John Mar 6, 2021

  1. Pastor John

    Pastor John TrainBoard Member

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    I was running errands this morning and in my way through town (to the train store) I saw something unusual in my rearview mirror as I passed the Amtrak station. After I completed my shopping, I did a U-turn and found these parked across from the Amtrak station and the NS office.[​IMG][​IMG][​IMG][​IMG][​IMG][​IMG][​IMG][​IMG][​IMG][​IMG][​IMG]

    Sent from my moto g(7) play using Tapatalk
     
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  2. Kurt Moose

    Kurt Moose TrainBoard Member

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    Geometry car, for checking railhead defects and such.
     
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  3. Randy Stahl

    Randy Stahl TrainBoard Supporter

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    Sperry cars for testing rails for cracks. Most of their older stuff was built from trolley cars and gas electrics . How often do you see St. Louis trucks running around on railroads?
     
  4. acptulsa

    acptulsa TrainBoard Member

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    A St. Louis Car doodlebug. SAL 2023, before it was sold in 1945. It has been in a museum in Danbury, CT.
     
  5. Pastor John

    Pastor John TrainBoard Member

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    We'll, today this one was in Alliance, Ohio.

    Sent from my moto g(7) play using Tapatalk
     
  6. r_i_straw

    r_i_straw Mostly N Scale Staff Member

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    This was in Stafford, Texas in 1995.
    [​IMG]
     
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  7. acptulsa

    acptulsa TrainBoard Member

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    The one the Reverend Mr. John found was also still in service back then. It retired in '03, at the patriotic age of 76.
     
  8. Hytec

    Hytec TrainBoard Member

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    These photos brought back memories from an old friend. He graduated from college as an electrical engineer in 1947 and hired to ride New York Central's predecessor to the Sperry car. He said it was wonderful fun for a brand-new engineer, testing track throughout the Central's core and all its affiliates. I don't remember all the different defects the car found. Though it was scary listening to him because many were the same tracks I rode at the same time. :eek:

    He ran at all times, day, night, weekends, so to not block traffic, but he said the food was great. Then he met his future wife, and NYC became history. :rolleyes:
     
  9. BNSF FAN

    BNSF FAN TrainBoard Supporter

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    Nice shots Pastor John! Always cool to catch a Sperry car out and about.
     
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  10. Doug Gosha

    Doug Gosha TrainBoard Member

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    Interesting how the "geometry" was still OK on those old cars after all those years.

    And they say the steel of the early 20th century wasn't very good. Bah!

    Doug
     
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  11. r_i_straw

    r_i_straw Mostly N Scale Staff Member

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    It is "Low-background steel" with no radioactive contamination. It is sought after for some specialized equipment like devices that require the highest sensitivity for detecting radionuclides.
     
  12. logging loco

    logging loco TrainBoard Supporter

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    I believe alot of that steel comes from ships built prior to airborne nuclear testing.
     
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  13. Doug Gosha

    Doug Gosha TrainBoard Member

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    It's just that some jokers claim the Titanic really sank because of the inferior steel with which she was constructed. Let's ignore that she hit an iceberg.

    Doug
     
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  14. r_i_straw

    r_i_straw Mostly N Scale Staff Member

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    The Brits have a gold mine of that from the German High Seas Fleet that was scuttled at Scapa Flow in 1919 after WWI.
     
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  15. r_i_straw

    r_i_straw Mostly N Scale Staff Member

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    This is what the UP uses these days.
    up.jpg
     
  16. Pastor John

    Pastor John TrainBoard Member

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  17. Mike VE2TRV

    Mike VE2TRV TrainBoard Member

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    This is CN's entry into the fray, a converted RDC-1:

     
  18. minesweeper

    minesweeper TrainBoard Member

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    Here a brand new one from the other side of the "pond" (Italy).
    [​IMG]
    caronte.jpg
    But the most "inusual" one is the Rail Infrastructure Division diagnostic High Speed train, based on the 300kph ETR500, here in Milano Central station. This, of course, can go only on electrified lines, not a problem in Italy as ALL mainlines, and more than some branchlines are under wires; for the others, see above.
    diamante.jpg
    [​IMG]
    Same stock of the regular Frecciarossa trains, also another one of the regulars was converted to High Speed freight service.

    was able to replace the links with pictures
     
    Last edited: Mar 11, 2021
  19. minesweeper

    minesweeper TrainBoard Member

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    By the way here one Sperry 200 just pictured at Rome Main station
    sperry.png
    curiously it has the same livery than its US brothers....:cool:
     

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