The thread "A couple of Steam Locomotive questions", started by Paul J Kallus got me to wondering, since I haven't been to Scranton Steamtown in several years - what steam locos are running there at present?

Canadian National 3254. The little 0-6-0 is having an overhaul as well as the 2317. If you ask me, 1 steamer is pretty sad for Steamtown.

The 2317 is not having an overhaul just the annual inspection. That is what was posted on railfan.net by someone that volunteers there. I think they said this year is the last year for the 2317 before the 1472 day overhaul.
Brian

Whew! I was upset when they released #2816, but now I'm de-pressed!

This was shot last week: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VOUl7Sje0P8

Turn it up.

Enjoy!

quote:

Originally posted by Brian Tusin:
The 2317 is not having an overhaul just the annual inspection. That is what was posted on railfan.net by someone that volunteers there. I think they said this year is the last year for the 2317 before the 1472 day overhaul.
Brian

Thanks for the correction.

Smokie:
Thank you for the link. That was exciting.

As I watched the video I was thinking about the heat in the cars. It just looked cold watching the video. I assume it has to be steam heat. How does it work? What pressure? What safety precautions are there for heating moving cars with steam? What can go wrong with steam heat? What effect does pulling energy out of the system to heat cars have on the locomotives effiency?

Mike CT

It looked like steam heat to me. And nice tight couplings if it was so.

All I know is steam heat is very tough. The Pacific Northwest Chapter, NRHS put some of thier steam heated cars back on line for the ORHF's 4-8-4 powered "Holiday Express". The cars hadn't had steam heat used in decades. With minimal fuss, the cars were back on line and nice and toasty.

Smokie

www.orhf.org
www.sp4449.com

Nice video work. I have been to Steamtown twice and both times I was too late to catch the train. Is the whole run double tracked? Do they share it with anything else?

quote:

What safety precautions are there for heating moving cars with steam?

None that I know of. It's a pretty benign system.

Low pressure steam was used to heat passenger cars for almost 100 years during the steam era. Low pressure steam is fed through a steam line under the cars. The lines have connectors on both ends so they can be coupled and uncoupled as needed, just like the train air line. The steam flows through radiators in the cars and the result is a nice, comfortable heat with no drafts as with forced air heat.

About the only thing that can go wrong is that if a car is left unused for a time and not properly drained, the steam lines could freeze up and then the steam won't flow for a while when the car is placed back in service.

Having said all that, in reality steam heat was a royal pain and was a high maintenance system. Scale build-up and corrosion from the minerals in the water caused problems with the valves in the cars. The steam heat connectors between the cars were heavy and awkward to connect and disconnect. (Been there. Done that.) If the vapor traps didn't work properly a car could freeze up very fast. The heat could be difficult to regulate within the car, so any given car could easily be too hot or too cold.

The additional steam required to heat a train was minuscule compared to the total steam-producing capacity of the boiler. We used the steam heat several times on the 765 and frankly I never noticed any difference in the firing rate.

Back from the Big E where I talked to the group restoring B&M 3713 and the conversation lead to how Steamtown is doing and the answer is not very good.

For one the Feds keep cutting the park service budget. Steamtown has no money to do anything. Let alone restore anything in their collection. As for the two Canadian steamers(sorry I get the two of them mixed up), one is due for FRA inspection in two years(is that what you call it). More than likely it will have seen it's last day on the road due to no money for overhaul. 3713 when complete is suppose to take over the duties anyway. The other Canadian steamer has 5 to 7 years left depending on how much use.


Another more pressing problem is both Canadian steam engine tenders are in very bad shape with leaks and structural problems. Again a money issue and they are just getting by with patch work.

As for the B&M 3713 work it's only issue is money to complete the job. No time date was given this year on completion

quote:

Originally posted by superwarp1:
................................................................................
Another more pressing problem is both Canadian steam engine tenders are in very bad shape with leaks and structural problems. Again a money issue and they are just getting by with patch work...............

There is a very nice tender sitting there complete except for the paint. Belongs to the Pennsy K-4

Thanks Rich

That was the joke of the day. The only steam engine to arrive at Steamtown on a flat bed truck and the only one to leave on flat bed truck. But the K4 screw up is not Steamtown's fault

It hasn't left yet. I believe it was moved from the shop to the roundhouse area. The tender is in working order

Nice photos, Turtle. They were of the Museum's 10th anniversary in 2005.

B&M 3713 is getting quite a boost this year from the NRHS chapter hiring a few men to complete her restoration. The funds you've sent them (or soon will send) give the chapter enough to pay them, and purchase any remaining parts. The past year or so was spent in acquiring material to fabricate for the 3713.

Don't count out CP 2317 just yet. So much work and money has gone into her that it would be a total waste to retire her. She has about 300 or so days left on her boiler, and then we will see if or when she begins the 1472 day overhaul.

quote:

Originally posted by R.R.:
Nice video work. I have been to Steamtown twice and both times I was too late to catch the train. Is the whole run double tracked? Do they share it with anything else?

STEAMTOWN IS THE OLD DL&W YARD ALL OF THE MAIN TRACKS LEADIND TO LACCAWANNA STATION ARE IN FACT DOUBLE TRACKED BUT THE LINES LEADING TO MOSCOW ARE NOT IN SOME PLACES .
IT IS SHARED WITH ERIE LACAWANNA IF IM CORRECT

WHEN IS THE 0-6-0 BALDWIN DUE OUT OF THE "SHOPS " OR DUST COLLECTING TRACKS AS I CALL THEM AND HOW LONG DO YOU THINK IT WILL TAKE TO OVERHALL 2317

quote:

Originally posted by Indian Valley RR:
Canadian National 3254. The little 0-6-0 is having an overhaul as well as the 2317. If you ask me, 1 steamer is pretty sad for Steamtown.

I LIVE LESS THAN 3 MINS AWAY FROM STEAMTOWN AND AM A VOULENTER THERE AS WELL AND IT IS VERY SAD , WE HAVE ALOT LESS EXOURSIONS TO ANY WHERE

Nelson Blount is turning in his grave. Nelson's son should of never moved it out of VT and the Steamtown trust should of never given it to the park service.

quote:

Originally posted by superwarp1:
Nelson Blount is turning in his grave. Nelson's son should of never moved it out of VT and the Steamtown trust should of never given it to the park service.

i agree 100% , Steamtown is very.... what's the word....... mismanaged at this point in it's life (in my opinion anyway)