464 in action (steam railroad)

[badrotation]

My buddies down at the local narrow gauge railroad (and historic 1800's village) finally finished restoring their mudhen (it was originally built in 1903). it is an ex-DRGW K-27 class locomotive. they have outside frames. Pretty rare locomotive, since there are only two left running in the world. (our locomotive that I work on is the only one of its kind left running in the world. Steam locomotives are getting rare)

anyways, here is a pic from today...


http://home.comcast.net/%7Ejason8883/464e.jpg

[Tom W]

She looks great! And you hit the exposure very well - that's sometimes difficult with the black engine.

[belmondo]

I didn't realize there were only 2 K-27's left. I guess most of the ones still running are K-36's and K-37's.

I'm not sure it was the K=27, but some of the old D&RGW narrow gauge locomotives were converted from standard gauge engines by moving the drivers inside the frame.

The K is the Rio Grande's designation for the 2-8-2 wheel arrangement. The number (-27) is the tractive force of the engine (in thousands of pounds).

So a K-27 is a 2-8-2 (Mikado) capable of approximately 27,000 pounds of tractive effort.

End of useless information.

Tom

[stoneylonesome]

WOW! beautiful shot of a beautiful engine, where is this?

[PaCiFiSt]

I didn't realize there were only 2 K-27's left. I guess most of the ones still running are K-36's and K-37's.

I'm not sure it was the K=27, but some of the old D&RGW narrow gauge locomotives were converted from standard gauge engines by moving the drivers inside the frame.

The K is the Rio Grande's designation for the 2-8-2 wheel arrangement. The number (-27) is the tractive force of the engine (in thousands of pounds).

So a K-27 is a 2-8-2 (Mikado) capable of approximately 27,000 pounds of tractive effort.

End of useless information.

Tom

No no, thats not useless. Thanks, I learned from that. very interesting.

[PhotosGuy]

Nice shot of an old workhorse!

[Ballen Photo]

My buddies down at the local narrow gauge railroad (and historic 1800's village) finally finished restoring their mudhen (it was originally built in 1903). it is an ex-DRGW K-27 class locomotive. they have outside frames. Pretty rare locomotive, since there are only two left running in the world. (our locomotive that I work on is the only one of its kind left running in the world. Steam locomotives are getting rare)Some pretty interesting info here. I would imagine that nowadays they wouldn't dare scrap one, Would they? :rolleyes:
The one you work on is the last of its model? :shock:
Very nice photo of this pristine looking steam loco. :D Thanks for sharing both the photo and info. (You too Tom.) ;)
-Bruce

[belmondo]

I did a little searching on this engine. It has quite a history, and has really been around since it was build in 1903. The current owners are Huckleberry Railroad (http://www.geneseecountyparks.org/huckleberry_railroad.htm) in Flint, MIchigan. Before that, it was owned by Knott's Berry Farm. (Thanks, Google.)

[badrotation]

Some pretty interesting info here. I would imagine that nowadays they wouldn't dare scrap one, Would they? :rolleyes:
The one you work on is the last of its model? :shock:
Very nice photo of this pristine looking steam loco. :D Thanks for sharing both the photo and info. (You too Tom.) ;)
-Bruce

The one I work on is the last operating Pere Marqueet berkshire in existance. There is one other in Grand Haven, MI used as a display, and we used many of the parts from that locomotive to rebuild ours.

It is a beast weighing in at over 400 tons, and being 101ft. long.

Warner Brothers used our locomotive for the sounds and design of the locomotive in the Polar Express movie.


On top of our berkshire, we also have an 0-4-0 tank engine (similar to thomas the tank engine...) and we also just purchased a 2-8-0 which we are currently restoring.

The guy who is in charge of the railroad pictured above occasionally comes out and helps us out in Owosso, MI at SRI: http://www.mstrp.com/



Here are a few pics of our shop, and the locomotives we have. (mostly pics of our new one we are restoring. It will be running by next summer......


Rear end where the cab sits....
http://img370.imageshack.us/img370/7272/img7131large3wh.jpg


Whole shot as she sits right now...
http://img370.imageshack.us/img370/6500/img7132large0vu.jpg

Firebox doors...
http://img370.imageshack.us/img370/6107/img7134large1fs.jpg


Shot from the front.
http://img370.imageshack.us/img370/5918/img7139large5zs.jpg

Same
http://img370.imageshack.us/img370/3610/img7140large2yo.jpg

Cylinder/Valve
http://img370.imageshack.us/img370/4413/img7141large9rz.jpg




The cab sitting outside in our 'tent' the guys are starting work on it monday morning. they are doing all new metal and woodwork on it to bring it back to its original glory.
http://img370.imageshack.us/img370/3716/img7145large2gv.jpg

the sand dome, smoke stack, and steam driven air compressor all set out in the yard.
http://img370.imageshack.us/img370/4320/img7148large4ea.jpg



And finally, a shot of three of our steam locomotives in the barn side by side.
Two of them are currently operating...

http://img370.imageshack.us/img370/1080/img7143large5qa.jpg

[Ballen Photo]

The one I work on is the last operating Pere Marqueet berkshire in existance. There is one other in Grand Haven, MI used as a display, and we used many of the parts from that locomotive to rebuild ours.

It is a beast weighing in at over 400 tons, and being 101ft. long.

Warner Brothers used our locomotive for the sounds and design of the locomotive in the Polar Express movie.


The guy who is in charge of the railroad pictured above occasionally comes out and helps us out in Owosso, MI at SRI: http://www.mstrp.com/
More interesting info. Thanks. :D
I imagine that you have machinist's and what not who actually fabricate parts when needed? ;)
-Bruce

[belmondo]

There are very few places with the ability to work on those giants, and anytime you can get the chance to see them working on these things, you should do it.

I took a tour through the backshops at Steamtown, USA, in Scranton, PA. They had several ongoing projects including a Pennsylvania RR K-4 Pacific. I would love to go back and see how it's coming.

[badrotation]

fixed the pics above of our shop...

We also have a 100ft turntable which was relocated from the old pere marquette yard in New Buffalo, MI

We are also starting construction on a roundhouse pretty soon.


Oh, and an interesting fact.... It costs us $10,000 a day to operate our berkshire. :eek:

[Ballen Photo]

There are very few places with the ability to work on those giants, and anytime you can get the chance to see them working on these things, you should do it.

I took a tour through the backshops at Steamtown, USA, in Scranton, PA. They had several ongoing projects including a Pennsylvania RR K-4 Pacific. I would love to go back and see how it's coming. I would LOVE to do just that someday. ;)
fixed the pics above of our shop...I'm glad you did. These shots are GREAT! It's nice seeing where these behemoths get repaired.
I'm betting you enjoy working there. :D
-Bruce

[Croasdail]

Thanks for the shots. Not far from me is the Spencer Shops where they have several under reconstruction, and I have thought of vaulenteering, but schedules have prevented me. I would love to some day soon though. Cheers!