NYC 6385 - Engine 2-8-2 H-6a at Wabash Indiana, c.1955. Note the sand tower and coaling crane behind the engines. Craig Berndt collection
Fascinating photo, Roger, and raises some interesting questions. First, 6385 is steaming, so it's still active, maybe both are, can't tell. Second, the other loco is flying white flags indicating Unscheduled. However 6385 has no flags, so what gives??? (Where's Lew when you need him ) Third, why are the two of them doubled? Have they been assigned some heavy switching or road duty? If so, then the white flags really confuse me. (Lew????)
I don't presume to answer for LEW, but in addition to other things, I was qualified as a hostler. Those locos appear to be on a service track so it is likely there was a bit of hostling going on. It could be the second unit just came in from a run and hadn't had all its trimmings removed. Not unusual! When there are multiple units to be serviced,as there are here, the usual procedure is to double(or triple etc)the power and run it thru the service track, saves a lot of time and equipment usage. This is just my take on what is going on. Charlie
Thanks, Roger. Not only the coaling crane and sand tower, but the water plug too. Very nice photo. How I miss steam.
Ya know, Charlie, using one hostler to service two, even three steamers makes sense. Pity "they" never figured out how to MU and DPU steamers over the road. It would have saved having an engineer and fireman in each cab. Probably would have been easier with oil-burners. Note, I didn't say "easy", just easier...
If you want to see some good videos of "MU'ing" steam, check out the videos of the 4449 when she ran to the Steam Fest in Michigan in 2009(?), especially the ones where she is on the BNSF in Illinois. She is running over much of the same track that I worked. I dont know if we can link a YouTube video on Trainboard, but there is one video where 4449 is Eastbound and does a crew change at Eola yard. That is my one of my old haunts and I could fill you in on the lay of the land as to what you are looking at in the video. I will see if I can dig it up and put it in a post. What I meant by MU'ing is that 4449 has a diesel loco in consist with her. On the particular videos I am talking about, the diesel is used primarily for dynamic braking and a secondary purpose of providing motive power in the event of a breakdown. What never ceases to amaze me is how 4449 handles her heavy train and a heavy diesel idle in consist with her and doesn't even complain or break a sweat. She has that train in tow like she is out for a morning jog! Charlie
I will try to post that video on the "Railfanning Discussions" board since it is technically off topic. Charlie
Charlie, I just replied to your MU topic in Railfanning Discussions. Had no idea it originated here in the New York Central forum. You know, as old as I am and missing the NY Central steam, I am so fortunate to live near enough to the 4449 to participate in just about all of her travels. Never in my young life did I think that one day I could assist in steam operations with a Southern Pacific steamer, and I'm loving it.
I must admit that I am envious of you folks who are doing just that! I wish I had the time and energy to get more involved. I am a volunteer for a trolley museum but I just don't have the time to get out there! Charlie
Chariie is on the right stick. The one in the rear has come in on a local,the flags, and the one in front is the yard engine. One hostler per trick was it. He moved engines ,cleaned fires, run the crain to coal both yard, local and through frt.When you come to work in the morning hrs.the cab clean ,ice and water,sand,fire ready to go. The second and third trick hostlers were twin brothers and were Miami Indians. One was a little dumpie and the other slim.When kids they had a fight dumpie chewed off the bottom of slim's ear. Engines good for 1800 tons on the south hill at Wabash. The H-5,H-6, H-10,L2,3,4 were all good for 1800 ton and this included single unit F-7,GP-7,9. LEW
