In addition to track side oilers, some locomotives are also equipped with flange lubricators. These come in different styles, but the function is the same on all of them. Light lubrication to prolong the wheels life. Copyright 2008 Jerry DeBene
And here is a close-up. A very light even coat can be seen on the wheel and flange. Copyright 2008 Jerry DeBene
I prolly stole your thunder for another 'N'gineer's class on wheels or something, eh? Copyright 2008 Jerry DeBene
LOL, Not yet! Sometimes I just take pictures of different add-ons, switches, etc., just for moments like this! Yes, thats a pretty good example of a rail burn! LOL Copyright 2008 Jerry DeBene
How long do you guess it'd take for a rail burn to occur in that magnitude? A super-heavy train, underpowered consist, and a heavy-handed hogger fresh outta high school seems to be the culprit on that picture... Copyright 2008 Jerry DeBene
Actually, the story behind those burns is this. A train with several different units was stopped awaiting a fresh crew. Not all the units were securied, and some teenagers got into one of the engines and started moving levers. With all the brakes on, the unit, which was in the middle of the consist, was just sitting there spinning it's wheels, and this is what happened. I would say that once the rail/wheels started getting hot, and the sparks were flying, that it took about an hour or better to do that. Copyright 2008 Jerry DeBene
I should also say if you look again at the photo, you can see that there were only three axles that were spinning. The one with the handbrake didn't spin, as it was applied hard enough to keep it from rotating. Copyright 2008 Jerry DeBene
So much for the rule to remove the selector lever and securing the doors when leaving running locos unattended! *grin* Copyright 2008 Jerry DeBene
Gee Bill you take the fun out of everything During my days riding the McCloud, there were several places where wheel greasers were employed. The crews called them rail greasers, because all they did was spread grease on the rails and cause the wheels to spin every time you went over them Shannon WP LIVES (and so does the ATSF) Copyright 2008 Jerry DeBene
We use steam cylinder oil on a drip system on the leading drivers of our steam loco. It works pretty good as long as we don't turn them on in excess ... or until it rains, then I have to use a little more sand to keep it from slipping too badly. I have been trying to talk management into using just water with a little liquid detergent as a flange lubricant for years .. but for some reason they prefer to keep using expensive cylinder oil. Copyright 2008 Jerry DeBene
Well I never! Is only one axle 'handbraked' on all locos and freight cars? (On the other hand, maybe I should wait for the 'Braking' class ) Copyright 2008 Jerry DeBene
There WILL be a braking class, , however, to answer your question......yes! There is only one axle with a brake thats attached to the hand brake on locomotives. The hand brake chain is attached to ONE brake cylinder on the truck of the locomotive. When a unit is shut down, the air, over time releases to the atmosphere, and the brake cylinders, having no more air in them to hold the cylinder out, begain releasing. However, the one axle with the hand brake chain attached, remains applied, since the chain is keeping the cylinder out on that axle. On a freight car, both sets of trucks have brakes applied, since there is only one cylinder per car, and all the brakes are attached to it by the brake rigging. In this example, one cylinder is controlling the brake shoes on two wheels, so this unit would have two axles braked. Copyright 2008 Jerry DeBene
In my AC6000CW operating manual, there is a section on "TICs". BUT, there is nothing that explains what "TICs" are. Can anyone help? Copyright 2008 Jerry DeBene
NO ONE knows what TIC's are? Bob p.s. YES, I know I don't know what they are, but thats whay I'm asking!LOL! Copyright 2008 Jerry DeBene
Jerry is in the process of moving and getting going on a new job right now so when he gets back, he will probably know the answer to that one. However until then I will offer up my answer. When a train is put in the hole and the crew gets off to do their roll-by inspection of a passing train, they have to remove these if they happen to stand in tall grass. Copyright 2008 Jerry DeBene
the handbrake won't hold that much.... to me looks more like one TM was cut out for ground relay... and if the one that burnt the rail was anything like cn's gf430's they will deliever full HP even with 1 tracton motor cut out... impressive pic though Copyright 2008 Jerry DeBene
Comedian! Everyone knows TICS is the sound your watch made back in those days! sheesh, DUH! Copyright 2008 Jerry DeBene
I'd STILL like to know what "TIC's" are! BTW, If a locomotive flips over, does the toilet water stay in place, or does it go any and everywhere? Copyright 2008 Jerry DeBene
