Railroad Heritage

Today's Railfanning

2011-05-20T18:15:00.000-07:00

Caught this eastbound freight this afternoon, behind a former Conrail SD60M and a trailing C40-8. First non wide-cab Dash 8 I'd seen in a while.

thumbnails are clickable for larger images

Locomotive Patents

US Leather Company Tank Car

2011-04-21T15:38:00.000-07:00

from Railway World October 15, 1904 in the public domain

BOSTON AND ALBANY SHOPS ENLARGED

2011-04-21T15:17:00.000-07:00

"Plans are being carried out by the management of the New York Central Railroad to create one centrally located headquarters for the Boston and Albany Railroad, by making extensive improvements at West Springfield Massachusetts, and gradually closing down the shops at Rensselaer and Allston. A new roundhouse will be built just north of that now nearing completion at West Springfield. When the proposed enlargement of the shops has been made the facilities will be sufficient to repair on an average of thirty locomotives per month"

from Railway World July 2, 1904 in the public domain

The Origins of Rook Yard

2011-04-21T14:05:00.000-07:00

"A large tract of land near Greentree has been acquired by the Pittsburgh Wabash Terminal Railway, and the management have decided to construct a classification freight yard, which will be one of the best equipped in the country. The tracks will be built on the declivity plan, permitting the handling of cars from one end of the yards to the other without much use of steam power. Ten tracks will be put down, extending from one end of the 110 acre tract to the other. This will enable the railroad company to handle its large Pittsburgh business promptly."

From Railway World July 23, 1904 , in the public domain

Railroad Art

2011-04-17T13:36:00.000-07:00

railroad art

A great selection of railroad and locomotive-themed art

Ventilating the Elkhorn Tunnel, Norfolk & Western Railway

2011-03-15T15:28:00.000-07:00

Rebuilding the Elkhorn Tunnel for better ventilation: The full description of this important piece of work has been furnished by Mr. Charles S. Churchill, engineer, Maintenance of Way. The tunnel is through the Flat Top Mountain in West Virginia, which forms the divide between the waters flowing into the New River, on the east, and those flowing into the Ohio, by way of Elkhorn Creek and Big Sandy, on the West. There is an up-grade through the tunnel going east of 1.4 per cent. The tunnel is lined throughout with brick, and has a single track through it, though the Norfolk and Western is a double-track road. The method employed in the Pracchia tunnel in Italy having been explained by the engineering journals, formed the basis of the method adopted at the Elkhorn tunnel.

Notes taken prior to ventilation showed that in Summer, 17 to 55 minutes was required to give the air in the tunnel time to clear. The shortest time noted was 20 minutes, in the Winter. The method consists in flaring out the portal at the west end and running two walls parallel to the track, about where the original line of the tunnel stood. This made an enclosed triangular area on each side, and into this box air was forced from two fans. At the narrow end of the triangle an opening was left which formed a kind of nozzle. The machinery consisted of two fans, 14 feet in diameter, each operated by an engine of 75 horse-power ; the number of revolutions per minute which delivers air at one ounce pressure at the outlet of the fan being 118, and the rated delivery at this speed being 168,558 cubic feet per minute per fan. Details of a number of most satisfactory tests which were made are given by the author. The idea was to blow the smoke of east-bound engines ahead of them, and the west hound, being on a descending grade, would practically give no trouble from smoke.

A three-engine east-bound train passed through the tunnel in six minutes while the fans were running at 142 revolutions per minute. An observer on the tender of the first engine, cab windows being open, reported the tunnel entirely clear two thirds of the way through, and no objectionable smoke anywhere. Another observer rode on the second engine, with windows open ; he could see the smoke of his engine seven cars ahead of his engine, with no smoke behind. Another, on the rear engine, in the cab with windows open, found tunnel practically clear, and no smoke behind. An observer at the east portal reported that smoke came out two minutes ahead of the first engine.

(from a 1901 magazine, in the public domain)

CP El Gobernador 4-12-0 locomotive

2011-03-15T15:25:00.000-07:00

Comparision of the CP El Gobernador with large Baldwin engines for Mexico and the Northern Pacific: The El Gobernador was designed by Mr A.J. Stevens, master mechanic, and built in the Sacramento shops of the company. It pulls eighteen loaded cars over the famous Tehachapi Mountain grade, 1 1.6 feet per mile, making schedule time of fifteen miles per hour. This engine is, we believe, the largest in the world, and as will be seen by the dimensions given above is 10,000 pounds heavier than the Brazilian and 9,000 pounds heavier than the Northern Pacific. The total weight of engine and tender is 3,000 pounds less than the Northern Pacific and 7,000 pounds less than the Brazilian, but in both cases either the tenders are extremely large or a very liberal allowance is made in estimating their weight. The weight of the tender of the El Gobernador is 63,000 pounds fully loaded, while that of the Brazilian is estimated at 80,000 pounds or 17,000 pounds more than that of the El Gobernador.
(from an 1887 journal, in the public domain)

"At the Central Pacific Railroad shops in this city there is now building a huge engine for freight traffic to be called El Gobernador (the Governor). This locomotive has been constructed with the greatest care of the best material, from designs of General Master Mechanic AJ Stevens, and is different in design from the other locomotives built by him for this and other roads. Mr Stevens progresses in his mechanical ideas and every new engine has many new features for mechanics to study. His inventions have long since placed him among the foremost mechanics of America and Europe. This new engine is the largest ever constructed being twenty tons heavier than the locomotive built in France in 1872."

Total wheel base of engine and tender 55 feet 3 inches - total length of engine and tender over all 64 feet 9 inches extreme width of engine 9 feet 6 inches.

"Boiler - The boiler was constructed by Charles H Hooper foreman of the boiler shop, under Mr Stevens supervision as follows Description of boiler wagon top smallest inside diameter: 56 inches - material of boiler Otis steel thickness of plates in barrel 7-16 of an inch.(From an 1884 article)

Railfanning, 3-MARCH-2011

2011-03-03T08:26:00.000-08:00

Been awhile since the weather was good enough to get out trackside. Still cold, but at least we had some bright sunshine, with the promise of better to come. Caught these two westbound GEs out for their morning run - they were moving FAST!

Firestone fireless 0-6-0

2009-08-09T11:31:00.000-07:00

CSX C40-8W 7329 still in Conrail Quality paint

2009-05-01T12:03:00.000-07:00

A decade after its official demise, Conrail lives on!

GP30 RDMT Road Slug 2328

2009-03-24T17:50:00.000-07:00

CSX GP30 Road Slug 2328 was built as L&N 1029 in the spring of 1963; she's lost her innards, but 40+ years in Class 1 service isn't too bad.

EMD GP30s

HO RTR GP30 w/DCC, B&O/Capital #6918

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Baldwin Narrow Gauge 4-4-2 Atlantic

2009-03-15T14:50:00.001-07:00

Illustrated Catalogue of Narrow-gauge Locomotives By Baldwin Locomotive Works, Baldwin-Lima-Hamilton Corporation, Burnham, Parry, Williams & Co

Baldwin Narrow-Gauge 4-4-0 "American"

2009-03-15T14:47:00.000-07:00

Illustrated Catalogue of Narrow-gauge Locomotives By Baldwin Locomotive Works, Baldwin-Lima-Hamilton Corporation, Burnham, Parry, Williams & Co

Narrow-Gauge Locomotives The Baldwin Catalog of 1877

Colorado's Narrow Gauge Railroad DVD

Conrail 250-ton Crane at Strasburg PA

2009-03-14T19:45:00.000-07:00

Former Erie RR 250-ton Industrial Brownhoist crane on display at the RR Museum of PA

Related Pages:

Conrail EMD GP30
Conrail (CSX) C40-8W

Former Conrail Rolling Stock

HO RTR 250-Ton Crane w/Tender, CR #45210

Railway Maintenance Equipment: The Men and Machines That Keep the Railroads Running

Disclaimer: We are an Amazon affiliate

Philadelphia Suburban Transportation Co Brill car

2008-11-16T16:55:00.000-08:00

Philadelphia Suburban Transportation Co. #76, a Brill Center-Door car, was built in 1926 and roamed the Philadelphia trackage for fifty years. It currently runs in Scranton PA with the Electric City Trolley Museum

Philadelphia Trolleys (PA) (Images of Rail)

History of the J. G. Brill Company (Series: Railroads Past and Present)

Barber Asphalt Company 8,000-gallon tank car

2008-11-16T12:28:00.001-08:00

Barber Asphalt Company 8,000-gallon tank car, built in the early 1900s by the German American Car Company; retains arch bar trucks

Walthers - 40' Tank car Gulf - Ready to Run

D&LW converted troop sleeper

2008-11-16T12:16:00.001-08:00

Just barely visible is former DL&W 3621, built by Pullman during WWII as a troop sleeper and later acquired by the Lackawanna for use as a work car. Conrail inherited the car, and later donated it to Steamtown.

Walthers - Express Box Car (Rebuilt Troop Sleeper) - Assembled (2-pack) HO - Erie Lackawanna

Long Island RR Rotary Snowplow

2008-11-16T10:22:00.001-08:00

Showing its 110 years, former Long Island Rotary Snowplow 193 at Steamtown, with its former PRR steam locomotive tender. Built in 1898, this unit was active until 1965, and is the only known eastern US rotary to survive.

New York Central 4-6-4 Hudson tender

2008-11-16T10:05:00.001-08:00

Perhaps the last surviving large relic of the New York Central's fleet of 4-6-4 Hudsons, X5313 went along with its locomotive to the TH&B; the locomotive itself was scrapped in 1954, but the tender was converted to a steam generator car, surviving in that form for decades before being retired to Steamtown.

Sounds of Steam Locomotives, No. 4: The Great New York Central - Hudson, Mohawk, Niagara MP3 download

New York Central, Hudson Type 20x30 poster

HO Hudson

Canadian National 4-6-4T Baltic Tank

2008-11-16T09:43:00.001-08:00

Built by the Montreal Locomotive Works in 1914, Canadian National #47 is a 4-6-4T Baltic Tank built for commuter service, with an extended frame for carrtying its own fuel and water; this configuration made for a shorter locomotive that was easier to turn. Original serving with the Grand Trunk, #47 was later absorbed into the CN, where it ran until 1959.

#47 is the only surviving Baltic Tank in the US, as later American-built 4-6-4Ts of the Central of New Jersey and Tennessee Coal, Iron and Railroad Company were all scrapped. However, two other examples remain in Canada.

Canadian National 3254 S-1-b Mikado

Guide to North American Steam Locomotives (Railroad Reference, No 8)

Brooks-Scanlon Corp 2-6-2 Prairie

2008-11-16T09:25:00.000-08:00

Brooks-Scanlon Corp #1 is a 2-6-2 built by Baldwin in 1914, and used for logging. This locomotive was an early addition to Steamtown, being purchased in 1962.

In the US, the 2-6-2 Prairie evolved as a more powerful outgrowth of the 2-6-0 Mogul.

HO RTR 2-6-2 Prairie w/Tender & Smoke, UP #1836

HO RTR 2-6-2 Prairie w/Tender & Smoke, NYC #1905

Canadian National 3254 S-1-b Mikado

2008-11-16T09:04:00.000-08:00

Canadian National 3254 was built by the Canadian Locomotive Company for the Canadian Government Railway. It quickly became part of the merged Canadian National, where it served hauling freight for forty years.For much of the 1980s, it ran on the Gettysburg Railroad before going to Steamtown.

Canadian National Steam in Color Volume 1: East

HO Spectrum USRA 2-10-2 Light w/DCC, CN #4209

NATX 4753 tank car walk-around

2008-11-14T19:28:00.000-08:00

NATX 4753 was built in 1925 as a twin-dome tank car, and is now on display at Steamtown in Scranton.

HO RTR 30K Gal Ethanol Tank, NATX

Single-Driver Locomotive for the Flint & Pere Marquette

2008-11-13T15:50:00.001-08:00

From an original 1894 article, in the public domain

CSX SD70MAC 4780

2008-10-26T19:49:00.001-07:00

HO N 1/29 SD70MAC

PROX & UTLX tankers

2008-10-26T11:46:00.001-07:00

UTLX 646397

PROX 69938

CSX AC6000CW locomotive

2008-10-26T08:23:00.001-07:00

The AC6000CW was the culmination of GE's efforts in the horsepower race of the 1990s, featuring a GE 7HDL16 prime mover rated at 6,000hp. This made the new locomotives only slightly less powerful than the EMD DDA40X double diesels of two decades previous, but the new powerplants were far from reliable, and some Union Pacific units were built with the less powerful 7FDLs.

CSX bought the first production AC6000CWs, and for a time derated their engines (via software limits) to improve reliability; they have since been brought back up to their original rating, save for a single FDL-engined example. CSX 5012 is seen here leading an earlier 600-series unit eastbound towards Pittsburgh in 2005.

HO RTR AC4400

Manila Railroad 4-8-2 Mountain locomotive

2008-10-24T19:30:00.000-07:00

Railway and Locomotive Engineering A Practical Journal of Motive Power, Rolling Stock and Appliances

Nothern Pacific Pacific 4-6-2 and Mikado locomotives

2008-10-24T19:15:00.000-07:00

Railway and Locomotive Engineering A Practical Journal of Motive Power, Rolling Stock and Appliances

New York Central 4-4-0 locomotive #999 speed record

2008-10-02T16:30:00.001-07:00

FAST RUNS.
The greatest speed ever attained by a locomotive, of which there is any record, was made by Engine #999 of the N. Y. C. & H. R. R. R. on May 9th, 1893, having covered five consecutive miles at the rate of 102.8 miles per hour. This remarkable performance was made with the Empire State Express, a train consisting of four heavy parlor cars, on a descending grade of 20 feet per mile; it is claimed a single mile was covered at the rate of 121 miles per hour, but there is no official record of such performance. Many other remarkable runs have been made by this engine, and it is without doubt the fastest locomotive in the world to-day.

It was the intention of the designer that this engine should be capable of attaining a speed of 100 miles per hour. It was designed by Mr. Wm. Buchanan, Supt. M. P. of the N. Y. C. & H. R. R. R. and built by that company. It has cylinders 19x24", driving wheels 87 inches in diameter and weighs in working order 102 tons. It was used to haul the "Exposition Flyer" during the World's Fair in 1893, where it became famous for its extraordinary fast running. This engine is equipped with a speed indicator and recorder which is driven from the truck axle in order to eliminate slippage.

On May 19th, 1893, Engine #903, a double of the #999, covered the same ground with the same train at the rate of 100 miles per hour.

from The Locomotive Up to Date (1900, in the public domain)

New York Central EMD E7

New York Central Alco PA

New York Central 4-6-4 Hudson tender
New York Central Atlantic

Lehigh Valley Black Diamond

2008-10-01T10:26:00.000-07:00

Railroad History By Harvard University Graduate School of Business Administration, Railway & Locomotive Historical Society

In 1895 Mr. Chas. Lee then General Passenger Agent of the Lehigh Valley RR conceived the idea of operating over his road a fast passenger train between New York and Buffalo. In order to select a name that would be suitable for this new express train a nation wide contest was conducted by the railroad and a prize of $25.00 was given to the person that would offer the best name Charles M Montgomery a clerk in the Merchants Hotel in Toledo Ohio won the prize His suggestion The Black Diamond was a well sounding title and it also was appropriate on account of the great coal fields through which the Lehigh Valley Railroad passed.

On May 18th 189t the Black Diamond steamed from New York and Buffalo The train consisted of only four cars a cafe car two coaches and an observation parlor car These cars were finished with polished Mexican mahogany lighted with Pintsch gas and vestibuled throughout. Five locomotives were used to haul this train as it progressed from New York to Buffalo The week prior to the placing of this train in service the new train was open for inspection at all points the crew acting as hosts It is of interest to note that three of the engineers originally assigned to this train are still in the service They are John L Turner Thomas McHale and Thomas Farley Mr Farley still runs the Diamond and has not missed a trip since the tiain was inaugurated. The three conductors that were originally assigned to that train will he found on that train to this day They are Richard Mack Thomas E O Donnell and OD France. Today the Black Diamond is an all steel train

With its connection at South Bethlehem with the Philadelphia & Reading Railway for Philadelphia and points south it is a very heavy train as the picture shows and the train as it traverses through New Jersey passes the big plant of the Bethlehem Steel Co toils up through the Pennsylvania mountains glides down them into Wilkes Barre and runs smoothly across the fertile farming land of New York State. Truthfully the author can state that in so short a ride can such wonderful and such a variety of scenery be found.

Black Diamond Express

from Railroad History (1921, in the public domain)

Related Pages:

New Haven Trainliner Ad

New York Central Atlantic from Alco

2008-10-01T10:15:00.000-07:00

Railroad History By Harvard University Graduate School of Business Administration, Railway & Locomotive Historical Society

Mr Waitt then designed his Central Atlantic so named to distinguish it from engines with the same wheel arrangement but different design on other roads One of the engines No 2980 is shown herewith It was built in 1901 at the Schenectady Works of the American Locomotive Company with 21x26 inch cylinders 79 inch drivers and weight of 176,000 lbs These engines were equipped with piston valves and their trailing wheels were fitted with outside journals and spring rigging This fact is mentioned because at the time few other roads had adopted these modern and eminently correct features and of these few most if not all belonged to the Vanderbilt group In neatness of general design and refinement of detail these Central Atlantic engines were preeminent and unique Their performance on the road was characterized by a consistency and smoothness of running that won for them the approbation of the men who ran them and the passengers who rode behind them. They took the Empire State Express away from Mr Buchanan's eight wheelers though the latter road served faithfully for ten years Instead of the usual four cars the train was now made up with five but the Atlantic played with it to the delight of the crews and the gratification of the officials When in 1902 the road decided to put on a 20 hour train to Chicago for the second time the Atlantic met the schedule with ease This train the Twentieth Century Limited began with four or five cars but gained such great popularity that after five or six years its weight got beyond the capacity of the Atlantic engines

From: Railroad History (1921, in the public domain)

20th Century Limited shirt

Western Maryland 834 coach

2008-09-27T14:02:00.001-07:00

Pullman built this steel 80-passenger coach for the Western Maryland during WWI, and it later ended up in the collection of the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania. At the time of this September 2006 photo, No. 835 had already been deeded to the Western Maryland Railway Historical Society, but the actual physical transfer did not take place until the spring of the following year.

EMD NW2 Ma & Pa

2008-09-27T13:16:00.000-07:00

EMD's NW2 switcher was derived from the earlier NW1 model, although the company replaced the Winton 201 engine of the earlier model with the EMD 567 (later 567A). Over 1,100 units were built between 1939-149.

The Maryland & Pennsylvania only bought a pair of NW2s, but No.81 survives today at the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania.

Today's Railfanning - 25 September 2008

2008-09-25T13:49:00.000-07:00

Slim pickings today, and not the best shots by any means. This was an e/b led by CSX 7740 and a Dark Future unit - wasn't on scene in time to get a shot of the power.

CSXT 483035

EJ&E

UTLX 661270

Slim pickings today, and not the best shots by any means. This was an e/b led by CSX 7740 and a Dark Future unit - wasn't on scene in time to get a shot.

Today's Railfanning - 10 September 2008

2008-09-10T12:39:00.000-07:00

C40-8Ws 7670 and 7391

behind the GEs was SD40-2 8063

HO RTR CSX SD40-2 DCC

and bringing up the rear was GP40-2 6089

HO GP40-2

Partially resprayed, but still with the old Family Lines SCL/L&N markings

Ohio Central FP9 walk around

2008-08-22T10:27:00.000-07:00

The FP9 was EMD's passenger version of its F9 freight hauler, with a slightly stretched frame to accommodate extra water tankage and a steam generator. Although production spanned 1954-59, the FP9 did not enjoy the sales figures of its FP7 predecessor, and C&NW was the only US new-build customer for the type, buying four that were rebuilt from FT trade-ins. Canadian Pacific and Canadian National operated a total of 54 Canadian-built examples.

The Ohio Central formerly operated a pair of ex-CN/VIA units, painted in PRR colors but with OC lettering. ironically, these have since gone back to Canada, being acquired by Canadian Pacific for use on the Royal Canadian Pacific.

PRR GG-1 4800 "Old Rivets" walk around
PRR E44 walk around

PRR RS3 ad

PRR Spirit of St. Louis Ad

Todays Railfanning - 18 August 2008

2008-08-18T08:21:00.000-07:00

Less than stellar photo quality this time - had to make do with the cheap little digital I keep in the car

CSX SD70MAC 4781

EMD's SD70MAC was directly derived from the earlier SD70M, with the wide nose and comfort cab, but with AC traction motors. CSX rosters both new-buy examples and locomotives it inherited from Conrail. 4781 is a later model bought by CSX, and is slightly more powerful than earlier 70-Macs, with flared radiators.

N SD70MAC,CSX/Bright Future #727

CW44AC 458 bringing up the rear, trailing CSX 7596, a C40-8. CSX has upgraded some of its roster with new software and added ballast to improve their tractive effort as CW44AHs, but I believe 458 is still a standard unit.
HO RTR AC4400, CSX/YN3 #579

Procor

CSX Big Blue boxcar

BNSF extra height
HO 50' PC&F Ext Post Box w/10'6" Door, BNSF#779700

GATX
N RTR 30K Gal Ethanol Tank, GATX/Abengoa #202259 ATH10589
O TRINITY 17K TANK, GATX(2R) *

TILX

NYDX

Virginia International Terminal buys new Gensets

2008-07-31T10:39:00.000-07:00

VIT is buying a pair of RP20BDs and single GG20B from Railpower

http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/July2008/31/c8205.html

NYO&W Rebuilt 4-4-0 Camelback Locomotive

2008-07-22T16:10:00.001-07:00

From an original copy of the public domain book (1900) The Locomotive Up to Date

ENGINE NO. 1. N. Y. O. & W.
REBUILT BY THE COOKE LOCOMOTIVE WORKS.

We give herewith an illustration of one of a number of eight wheel locomotives built by the Cooke Locomotive & Machine Co. for the New York, Ontario & Western Railroad. the distinctive feature of which is the wide fire box set up over the drivers.

How to get rid of the enormous accumulation of "culm" or refuse crom their anthracite mines was a problem with which Mr. J. E. Childs, General Manager of the Ontario & Western, wrestled for some time, and at length decided to kill two birds with one stone by burning this refuse in the boilers of their locomotives. But this necessitated a new type of boiler and this part of the problem was turned over to Mr. Geo. NY'. NW, est, Superintendent of Motive Power, who contracted with the Cooke Locomotive & Machine Co. for the rebuilding of one of their engines, which has since been known as No. 1. It has 17x23 in. cylinders, weighs complete iro,ooo lbs., of which 76,000 lbs. are on the drivers and 34,000 lbs. on the truck; the boiler is 56 in. diameter and contains 107 ft. 2 in. X 11i ft. 6 in. tubes; the fire box is 84 in. Wide by 108 in. long.
This engine was designed and built in order to demonstrate whether an engine of these dimensions and weight would give better results than a compound engine, also whether an engine of this weight in passenger service with cylinders 17x24" and a constant boiler pressure of 18o pounds would not be better than one with 18x24" cylinders, and lagging for steam on heavy grades.

It was intended, also, to demonstrate whether such an engine. could not be rum at a much reduced cost of fuel. this engine has been in constant service since November 23, 1895, and has met the highest expectations of its designer. It has made a remarkable record, cutting down the fuel cost one-third, steaming freely, and has run 79 miles per hour hauling its regular train. Encouraged by these results the road proceeded to change over a number of other engines. Up to the present time the Cooke works have rebuilt eight and are now at work on the ninth eight-wheeler, two Moguls and one Consolidation, in addition to which they have built two new locomotives all on lines similar to No. 1.

Lehigh Valley Camelback Ten-Wheeler

Camelback locomotives (Steam locomotives of yesteryear)

O. & W.: The Long Life And Slow Death Of The New York, Ontario And Western Railway

The New York, Ontario & Western Railway and the Dairy Industry in Central New York State: Milk Cans, Mixed Trains, and Motor Cars

Lost Engines of Roanoke face uncertain future

2008-07-21T08:51:00.000-07:00

There's now a deadline to save the "Lost Engines of Roanoke" - December 2008! These N&W 4-8-0s have been languishing in the weeds for decades, but the scrapyard they rest in has been sold, and they need to be saved by the end of the year. It would be a sad thing to see these rare locomotives that have survived for almost a century to be scrapped now. There are also a pair of Chesapeake & Western Baldwin diesels in the yard that deserve saving as well.

The The Western Virginia Railroad Preservation Society (TWVRPS) is attempting a last-ditch effort to bring these locomotives to safety, and is accepting donations at: http://www.twvrps.org/leor.html

EMD F9

2008-07-20T16:30:00.000-07:00

EMD F9

The penultimate version of EMD's ground-breaking F-unit locomotive line, the F9 was introduced in 1953, when the age of the "covered wagon" was already waning as the GP-series roadswitchers gained prominence, and F9 production only amounted to a fraction of that of the F7. The F9B booster model was also built in Canada by GM Diesel at their London, Ontario plant. The F9 was very similar externally to late phase F7s, and principally differed from the earlier model in having a more powerful EMD 567C engine.

Aside from new build construction, some earlier F-units were rebuilt to F9 standard; the Texas & New Orleans (Southern Pacific system) had some of these conversions, which were termed F3Aus or alternatively F9AMs. The C&NW had some former FT units that had been reworked to F9AM standard. EMD itself used a former C&NW F7 as an F9AM testbed - this was actually an "F38-2M" as it had been refitted with Dash-2 systems. This unit, EMD 462, was a candidate for preservation but has been scrapped after several failed attempts to preserve it. And Norfolk Southern currently operates its "Executive Fs' - former B&O F7s that had been rebuilt in the early 1980s to F9PH standard for service with the Maryland DOT/MARC, and later RPCX, before being overhauled at Altoona and redesignated as F9As.

Related Pages:

Ohio Central FP9 walk around

Locomotive Patent Plans - Print & Download

Railroad Art

Frisco 4-4-0

2008-06-14T13:46:00.000-07:00

Locomotives and Locomotive Building Being a Brief Sketch of the Growth of the Railroad System and of the Various Improvements in Locomotive Building in America, Together with a History of the Origin and Growth of the Rogers Locomotive and Machine Works, Paterson, New Jersey, from 1831 to 1886 ... By Rogers Locomotive and Machine Works, Rogers locomotive works, Paterson, Matthias Nace Forney

New York Central 2-6-6 by Alco

2008-06-03T18:00:00.000-07:00

Other NYC Pages:

New York Central EMD E7

New York Central Alco PA

New York Central 4-6-4 Hudson tender
New York Central Atlantic

Wisconsin Central 2-4-6

2008-06-03T17:54:00.000-07:00

Locomotive Cyclopedia of American Practice

Michigan Central 0-4-0

2008-06-03T17:46:00.000-07:00

Locomotive Cyclopedia of American Practice By America Railway Association

Maine Central 2-8-0 Consolidation walk around at Steamtown

2008-06-02T18:53:00.000-07:00

Maine Central 519 was built by Alco as a W-1 class engine in 1913

Related Pages:

Rock Island Consolidation

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Lackawanna Caboose at Steamtown

2008-06-02T18:35:00.000-07:00

Originally built in the early 1950s for the DL&W, using the frame of a steam locomotive tender. 889 later served with the EL and Conrail before being donated in 1990.

New York Central 2-6-6-2

2008-05-29T18:26:00.000-07:00

Railway Age Gazette

Railway Age Gazette

Fireless Cookers

2008-05-29T18:11:00.000-07:00

H. K. Porter 0-4-0t at Sewickley PA

Railway Age Gazette

Pennsylvania Power & Light streamlined 0-8-0, built by Heisler

Santa Fe 2-10-10-2 Mallet

2008-05-29T18:06:00.000-07:00

Railway Age Gazette

Disclaimer: we are an Amazon affiliate

PRR derrick car

2008-05-29T18:02:00.000-07:00

Railway Age Gazette

Wabash Caboose from Boxcar plans

2008-05-29T17:58:00.000-07:00

Railway Age Gazette

New Haven EY-2 electric switcher

2008-05-29T17:54:00.000-07:00

New Haven Trainliner 1954 ad

Paulista Railway Baldwin electric

PRR GG-1 4800 "Old Rivets" walk around
PRR E44 walk around

1926 Alco-GE Ingersoll Rand Oil-Electric Locomotive ad

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Railroad Signal Patent

2008-05-26T18:09:00.000-07:00

RAILWAY-SIGNAL JOHN WRIGLEY

Michigan Central Roundhouse

2008-05-24T17:39:00.000-07:00

Railway Maintenance Engineering

Great Western 2-10-0 Decapod at Strasburg RR

2008-05-24T15:37:00.000-07:00

At 84 years old, former Great Western #90 is the "newest" engine on the Strasburg.

Train - The Great Western 90 by suburbanscenes

Norfolk and Western Gondola plans

2008-05-23T19:04:00.000-07:00

Car Builders' Cyclopedia of American Practice By Master Car Builders' Association, American Railway Association Mechanical Division, Association of American Railroads Mechanical Division

Wabash fruit car plans

2008-05-23T19:00:00.000-07:00

Wheeling and Lake Erie

2008-05-23T18:25:00.000-07:00

W&LE 0-4-0 by Baldwin

Lehigh Valley Steam Locomotives

2008-05-23T18:22:00.000-07:00

Lehigh Valley Camelback

Atlantic Coast Line 2-4-2

2008-05-23T18:18:00.000-07:00

2-4-2 Columbia

Rock Island 2-8-0

2008-05-23T18:03:00.000-07:00

Santa Fe Decapod

2008-05-23T18:01:00.000-07:00

O-Scale Santa Fe 2-10-0 Russian Decapod

Lima Ten-Wheeled Shay

2008-05-23T17:48:00.000-07:00

Locomotive Cyclopedia of American Practice By America Railway

Bachmann 3-truck Shay

Baltimore and Ohio Mallet plans

2008-05-23T17:44:00.000-07:00

Locomotive Cyclopedia of American Practice By America Railway Association

Central of New Jersey Boxcar

2008-05-23T17:40:00.000-07:00

Car Builders' Cyclopedia of American Practice By American Railway Association,

Lehigh Valley Gate House plans

2008-05-23T17:12:00.000-07:00

Buildings and Structures of American Railroads A Reference Book for Railroad Managers, Superintendents, Master Mechanics, Engineers, Architects, and Students By Walter Gilman Berg

Wisconsin Central

2008-05-21T09:15:00.000-07:00

Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois

2-4-6 by Baldwin for Wisconsin Central

GG-1 4913 walk around

2008-05-20T15:26:00.000-07:00

PRR E44 walk around
PRR E7 walk around

EMD SD60s on Horseshoe Curve

2008-05-20T10:46:00.001-07:00

Norfolk Southern 6706 behind 6704, still in Conrail blue

The SD60 was introduced as a replacement for EMD's less than successful SD50, and the basic model is similar to the preceeding design, but is microprocessor-equipped and powered by the EMD 710 engine, yielding better fuel economy.

SD60I 6739

The basic SD60 had a conventional cab, but later models introduced more modern features. Conrail bought the SD60I isolated whisper cab model with the full-width short hood.

Bibliography:

Michael A. Stainski "Modeling EMD's SD60 Demonstrator" Railroad Model Craftsman September 1992 p.50-54. Kitbashing the prototype SD60 in HO scale using a Railproducts shell combined with an Athearn SD40T-2 chassis. Includes several prototype photos.

[Photo: BN/EMD SD60MACs with Union Pacific SD60M] Railfan & Railroad October 1993 p.4

Locomotive Patent Plans - Print & Download

Railroad Art

Turntable Plans

2008-05-19T20:30:00.000-07:00

Maintenance of Way and Structures By William Clyde Willard

Lackawanna SC switcher

2008-05-18T17:59:00.001-07:00

The SC was produced by Electro-Motive prior to the takeover by GM, and was powered by a Winton prime mover. Lackawanna #426 was reengined with a 567 engine and later served with Bethlehem Steel before going to Steamtown in Scranton.

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Lehigh Valley Depot Plans

2008-05-18T17:48:00.000-07:00

Northern Pacific Depot Plans

2008-05-18T17:42:00.000-07:00

Buildings and Structures of American Railroads A Reference

PRR Station plans

2008-05-18T17:09:00.000-07:00

Buildings and Structures of American Railroads A Reference Book for Railroad Managers, Superintendents, Master Mechanics, Engineers, Architects, and Students By Walter Gilman Berg

Sand House Plans

2008-05-18T17:06:00.000-07:00

Railroad Structures and Estimates By John Wilson Orrock

Illinois Central Steam Locomotives

2008-05-18T16:46:00.000-07:00

IC 2-8-0 walk around at Steamtown

A Catalogue Descriptive of Simple and Compound Locomotives By Brooks Locomotive Works, Dunkirk, N.Y., Brooks Locomotive Works, Dunkirk Brooks Locomotive Works, N.Y

Baldwin Narrow Gauge Consolidation

2008-05-18T16:34:00.000-07:00

Illustrated Catalogue of Narrow-gauge Locomotives Adapted Especially to Gauges of 3 Feet 6 Inches Or One Metre By Baldwin Locomotive Works, Baldwin Locomotive Works

PRR E7 locomotive walk around

2008-05-15T10:50:00.001-07:00

E7 PRR 5901 cab detail

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E7 fuel tank detail

The E7 replaced the E6 on EMD production lines in 1945, and was the first E-unit to replace the "slanted" nose with the "Bulldog" style seen on F-units. E7s were in use into the 1970s, but all the survivors were scrapped save PRR 5901, which is now at the Railroad Museum of PA. It was donated in Penn Central colors, but has since been restored to the PRR scheme.

PRR GG-1 4800 "Old Rivets" walk around

EMD SD40-2

2008-05-15T10:29:00.001-07:00

Helm Leasing SD40-2 6253, a former Union Pacific locomotive

For much of the period between the mid 1970s to early 1990s, the EMD SD40-2 was almost the "generic American locomotive", with almost 4,000 examples being sold. At the time of the model's introduction, many detested the new units for helping to replace many first-generation diesels, but today the type is itself a sought-after photo target as newer power begins to replace it. Combining the Dash-2 electrical systems in the proven SD40/645 engine combination, the SD40-2 proved to be more economical to operate than the more powerful SD45.

EMD produced no booster SD40-2s, but BNSF continues to operate several rebuilt units that predecessor Burlington Northerm created from wrecked standard locomotives. EMD production ended in 1986, but many SD40s, SD45s and SD45-2s have since been rebuilt to SD40-2 configurations.

NS SD40-2s on Horseshoe Curve

Seven years after Conrail, this NS SD40-2 was still in blue

FURX 3040 is a former B&O SD40 rebuilt to SD40-2 standard, which trailing 6253 is a former Burlington Northern SD40-3 rebuild.

Locomotive Patent Plans - Print & Download

Railroad Art

Southern Boxcar

2008-05-06T12:37:00.001-07:00

click for larger image

The Southern vanished into NS a long time ago, but this boxcar still carried a reasonably good original paint scheme in 2005.

PRR / Railway Express Agenecy Reefer

2008-05-06T12:15:00.001-07:00

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CSX Hoppers

2008-05-06T11:14:00.000-07:00

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Conrail Quality Hoppers

2008-05-06T11:06:00.000-07:00

Former Conrail hoppers on CSX
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Conrail Boxcar

2008-05-06T10:59:00.000-07:00

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Cotton Belt (SSW) Boxcar

2008-05-06T10:36:00.000-07:00

click for larger image.

RDC Patent

2007-12-08T19:15:00.000-08:00

SELF-PROPELLED RAILWAY CAR WITH OPERATOR S CAB Joseph F. Clary

PRR Streamlined Steam switcher patent

2007-12-08T14:22:00.000-08:00

This one is new to me - a 1945 PRR patent (issued 1952) at first glance I thought "diesel switcher" but its a *steam* design!

New York Central 4-4-2

2007-12-08T13:05:00.000-08:00

"

4-4-2

New York Central Alco

2007-12-08T13:02:00.000-08:00

Locomotives: Simple, Compound, and Electric By Harry Clifton Reagan: "
"

Philadelphia & Reading RR Station Plans

2007-12-08T10:52:00.000-08:00

Buildings and Structures of American Railroads: A Reference Book for ... By Walter Gilman Berg

PRR Water Tower plans

2007-12-08T10:51:00.000-08:00

Buildings and Structures of American Railroads: A Reference Book for ... By Walter Gilman Berg

Early B&O 4-4-0 Locomotive

2007-12-08T10:49:00.000-08:00

The Early Motive Power of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad By Joseph Snowden Bell

HO 4-4-0

GG-1 4800 "Old Rivets" walk around

2007-11-15T13:54:00.000-08:00

The original (and only riveted) GG-1 prototype, as seen preserved at the Railroad Museum of PA. Note the original type screens - these were moved higher up after "diamond" snow shorted out motors during several blizzards in the 50s and 60s - 4800 lasted in service almost to the end of the GG-1 era, but she apparently never received the retrofit.

Related Pages:
GG-1 #4913 walk-around

PRR E44 walk around
PRR E7 walk around

Amtrak E60 #603 walk around

Paulista Railway Baldwin electric

PRR RS3 ad

PRR Spirit of St. Louis Ad

4919 - Pennsylvania Railroad electric locomotive by suburbanscenes

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