Gents, check out what we saw when we were waiting at the border this morning (US/CA). I thought there might be somebody that would like our pics.
God bless,
John
What a beautiful engine! I had to do a quick google search on that, since my son Matt LOVES trains!
Thanks again!
Glenn
Wow, nice pics, John. Nice of you to share! I'm old enough to remember the falling cinders and the smell of the live steam. I grew up in the "coal fields" and the Norfolk and Western, being the last major US railroad to switch to diesel power, still used giant steam locomotives until 1959. ...so I'm really not SO old; right? ....RIGHT??? :O
Dennis
John -
So, was the diesel-electric loco behind it pushin', or being pulled??
:D
John,
Thanks for the pictures...
I have had the privilege of riding on quite a few Steam engines and they are truly impressive.
I consider trains the Great Grandfathers of Buses anyways. ;)
Cliff
I'm thinking it may be a prototype of a new hybrid, RJ lol, that would be a locodiesel? or maybe dieselmotive?
Thanks for the great photos. With a bus named Orange Blossom Special II, I guess it is kinda obvious we like the old steam locomotives. We had the pleasure of riding in a 1910 passenger car pulled by a steam locomotive burning coal last fall in PA through an Amish farming area. With no modern vehicles or power lines in sight, it was almost like a ride back in time. It was one of the highlights of our trip last year. Jack
Nice pics John! Thanks for sharing!
That is one sound that is awesome!
Paul
Glad you all enjoyed the pics. I forgot to make it "On Topic." We took the pics from the bus ;).
RJ, I have no idea whether the diesel was pushing, or being pulled :D. I do know that it looked brand new.
I agree, it was a "blast from the past." Pretty neat. It was a nice break from getting the bus searched ;D. The locomotive was much more interesting.
God bless,
John
That is the Royal Hudson, it was making a special run on Monday in White Rock BC which is at the US border.
I am a locomotive engineer and they have a diesel locomotive with a steam engine in case of break downs so they can clear the tracks for other trains. That track through White Rock is owned by BNSF railway and is fairly busy. Amtrack runs along there also.
Here is a link to a web site.
http://www.wcra.org/ (http://www.wcra.org/)
Gary
Quote from: RJ on February 09, 2010, 10:13:32 PM
John -
So, was the diesel-electric loco behind it pushin', or being pulled??
:D
Quote from: RJ on February 09, 2010, 10:13:32 PM
John -
So, was the diesel-electric loco behind it pushin', or being pulled??
:D
Most likely it was a pusher. Modern railroads insist on a helper or emergency unit when moving steam power on their systems. UP, BNSAF and others always have one in the consist, either at the front behind the tender or stationed on the rear. Steam loco's were huge labor intensive monsters, who were prone to break down and demand a lot of maint. Even tho' this one has had a lot of TLC it still doesn't insure it could make the trip (trouble free). I grew up alongside the WP & SP mainlines and they too ran steam up to the late fifties. Most were retired to the deadlines and the scrap heap after that, fascinating machinery.
BCO
the other night on "Top Gear" the three hosts raced from south england to north england. one took a vintage Jaguar, one took a vintage Vincent motorcycle and the third shoveled coal on a steam locomotive. it was interesting watching what all went into running the old steam engine. incredible machinery and engineering.
Gary & BCO -
I'm aware of the requirement for a back-up unit, just thought I'd have some fun pulling John's chain a little bit - see if he really was paying attention or was completely in awe!
And John - as others have said, thanks for posting the pics, you did a nice job taking them.
;)
For you easterners, I believe they still run a Steamer from Dillsboro to Bryson city NC - And of course, for you westerners, there is the narrow gauge from Durango to Silverton CO - watch those embers -
Also the coal fired steam locomotive at Strasburg, PA. We had to laugh at the folks that wanted to ride in the open air cars that were right behind the engine. When the tracks turned and put the train directly into the wind, well, I am sure you get the idea. LOL Jack
We were sitting in our bus along side jacks shop one morning when jack fired up his bus in the shop, was a common occurance so libby didn't think twice about it, suddenly she heard the unmistakable sound of a train whistle, she looked at me so puzzled, there wasn't any train tracks within quite a distance of where we were parked but that train was right next to us lol, thats when I told her about jacks train whistle on his bus lol.
Cody,
Remember when My electric/air solenoid on my air horns was stuck open when I fired up my bus when leaving Bussin.
It started as a slow, low deep Brrrrr and ended up as a big ::) embarrassment to me, as the pressure kept building....and building...until I shut her down... LOL
Coincidence that these things happen when your around........
Cliff
Yep it was comical, frustrating to you but I got a kick out of it lol, we do seem to attract gremlins from time to time, sorta like forgetting to uncap the hose on bobs bus I guess lol, it's probably my innocence attracting them lol.
This engine is the Royal Hudson which was used to carry Queen Elizabeth on a cross Canada tour in the 1950's(I think that was the year.) In the early 80's it was refurbed and pulled about 7 or 8 cars from Vancouver to Squamish B.C. (Squamish is 1/2 was between Vancouver and Whistler-site of the current Winter Olympics) It was a tourist train that ran daily during the summer months. A few years ago the tourist train was cancelled for a number of reason including the fact that this engine was basically worn out. So it was donated to a "train buff" society in Squamish that obviously (as evidenced by the current pictures)refurbed it.
I'm not positive but I think it is being used again for some function related to the Olympics.
After the tourist train was cancelled it was replaced by a "dinner" train using the same cars but with a diesel locomotive that ran from Vancouver to a point 1/2 way to Squamish where it turned around and went back.
The railroad and highway from Vancouver to Squamish has some of the most beautiful scenery in the world as it runs along an ocean inlet with mountains on each side.
Fred Mc.
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