N&W 475 ON THE NS STEAM PROGRAM
- Thread starter dpfan1
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Then take it up with the Manigment of NS. Not here.
I believe the only reason NS is brining back a steam program is becouse CSX has already stated that no engine will run or move across CSX trakage. So, NS, being a big competitor of CSX, probobly decied, "Hey, people want our steam program back anyway. This will be one more thing to get the population/companies that transport on our side and to use our lines instead of theirs."
Plus, Strasburg needs 475. GW 90 cant do all of it.
I believe the only reason NS is brining back a steam program is becouse CSX has already stated that no engine will run or move across CSX trakage. So, NS, being a big competitor of CSX, probobly decied, "Hey, people want our steam program back anyway. This will be one more thing to get the population/companies that transport on our side and to use our lines instead of theirs."
Plus, Strasburg needs 475. GW 90 cant do all of it.
No, you're wrong.
Why? Because Strasburg needs it for their own trains and NS is only working with the TVRM in organizing this steam program. At some point, they may send either 630 and/or 4501 up there and maybe they can just pose side-by-side. But do NOT expect to see a Mastadon hauling passengers up and around The Curve.
Besides, if they were going to include the N&W into the program, they'd more likely use the 611.
Ummmm... no... The M's aren't really suitable for mainline service... (neither is 610, but that's a whole 'nother story)
Good news, 630 passed her FRA hydro Tuesday and since we've put the air pump, injectors, and grates on. Working on superheaters and brake lines now too as well as equipping the tender with roller bearing trucks.
Good news, 630 passed her FRA hydro Tuesday and since we've put the air pump, injectors, and grates on. Working on superheaters and brake lines now too as well as equipping the tender with roller bearing trucks.
Ok, so why do you think so? I can name a dozen engines offhand that are part of the NS heritage.
Seeing as to 475 isn't much more powerful than 610, nor not as powerful as the 630 or 4501, I don't think NS would bother with the extra effort to borrow an engine just as powerful as what they already have available. If they want to borrow something that is appropriate to their heritage, there's the 765 for that. And even then, there haven't been any hints towards that.
Curious, SR6900. Does 630 need rollar bearings to run on the mainline?
Seeing as to 475 isn't much more powerful than 610, nor not as powerful as the 630 or 4501, I don't think NS would bother with the extra effort to borrow an engine just as powerful as what they already have available. If they want to borrow something that is appropriate to their heritage, there's the 765 for that. And even then, there haven't been any hints towards that.
Curious, SR6900. Does 630 need rollar bearings to run on the mainline?
Gandalf0444
FVRR member
If you want the equipment to be allowed over a certain predefined maximum speed by the FRA, then yes it does.
It has them on all but the drivers, which really isn't an issue since even 4449 only has friction bearings on the drivers. Boxes, shoes, and wedges are lubed by a mechanical lubricator located on the left side. This is how the 4501 is set up, and likely how 610 will be set up, too.
Plenty of reasons why 475 is not suitable, number one for sure is the deckless cab...
Plenty of reasons why 475 is not suitable, number one for sure is the deckless cab...
why 611?
Why 611? i know that the 475 and 611 are NS heritage because the N&W was one of the two railroads that formed today,s Norfolk southern. The 611 is sitting at the VMT and 475 is the only N&W engine running now. Better yet the 611 needs a bit of work if NS want,s to get the 611 back on the road.
Why 611? i know that the 475 and 611 are NS heritage because the N&W was one of the two railroads that formed today,s Norfolk southern. The 611 is sitting at the VMT and 475 is the only N&W engine running now. Better yet the 611 needs a bit of work if NS want,s to get the 611 back on the road.
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First of all, there were a lot more than two railroads that make up Norfolk Southern (and this isn't even factoring in the Conrail split).
There are a lot of reasons why 611 would be a much better candidate for operation. The 611 is equipped with rollar bearings on all axles, it has a stoker (versus 475 being hand fired), it is able to handle track speed (40mph) with any train she's given, and is simply a much more modern steam engine.
There's also the historical value as well. The J class engine is argulably one of the most well engineered steam engine for not only N&W, but for passenger steam railroading altogether. In addition, 611 was the last steam engine to run a passenger train for the N&W, as well as being a fan favorite and reliable power for the steam program between 1982 and 1994.
The 475 has about 41,000 tractive effort. In comparasin, the 610 has 37,000 tractive effort, the 630 has 43,000 tractive effort, and the 4501 has 46,000 tractive effort. (And for those interested, 611 has astounding 80,000 tractive effort.) The 475 isn't that much more powerful than 610, but the effort to get 475 and the passenger cars together would be a lot more due to the large distance apart the equipment is.
The only reason you seem to have for why 611 wouldn't work is the amount of money and work it would require to bring it up to FRA code. Well, seeing as to NS is clearly providing the money to TVRM to start restoration on the 4501, it would seem money is not a big issue. If NS wants 611 running, they will likely provide for that to happen. A Class 1 doesn't have the same fianicial concerns as a tourist railroad
- Jonathan
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Yeah, a bit of work. It ran last in 1994. Most of the parts are still there.
Also it looks cooler and can actually pull a train.
1. Don't just assume NS is paying for everything... from what I hear they might not be...
2. I've heard this numerous times, Wick Moorman is from Mississippi, if he cared anything about the N&W, he could have that engine, but he's a Southern man. That's what he wants to see.
4501 has 53900 lb tractive effort... 630's closer to 45000... they can all handle track speed, especially after all the running gear work they have/will recieve
Biggest reasons 475 is incapable is just because the way it was designed. Having a 5 person crew (engineer, 2 firemen, coal cutter, NS pilot) in a locomotive with a deckless cab is overkill (especially on the main in the middle of summer). There''s some other things I'd question, like it's ability to handle the speeds, Strasburg's willingness to let it go or even to do required upgrades.
611 has been out for 16 years, it's stoker fed, an auger takes coal from tender. As with any locomotive with a stoker, it is necessary to handbomb, while still as not to overfire...
I am pritty sure they could if they wanted to.
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